South Alabama Utilities Water System

All water intended for consumption, including bottled products, naturally contains at least small amounts of various contaminants. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), defined in this report's glossary, are set at stringent safety thresholds.

To understand potential health implications, a person would need to consume two liters of water daily at the MCL level for a lifetime to face a one-in-a-million chance of experiencing the described health effect.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, industrial/domestic discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants occurring naturally or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems, while the FDA sets limits for bottled water. Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly individuals, and children—should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding water consumption.

Based on a statewide study conducted by ADEM with EPA approval, monitoring for asbestos and dioxin was waived, so testing for these contaminants wasn't required.

1. How do I start service? Verify we're your water provider by contacting our office. Visit our Raytown, MO location at least one day before you need water service and bring: name for the bill, mailing address (if different from service address), desired start date, phone number, Social Security number, driver's license, and appropriate advance payment.
2. Do I need to be home when the service technician activates my water? Generally, your presence isn't required. However, you may schedule an appointment if you anticipate issues. Some customers prefer to turn off their main valve to prevent uncontrolled water flow from fixtures left on. When service resumes, having your main valve closed prevents the need for a second visit where your presence might be necessary.
3. Is sewer billed separately? Yes, sewer charges are billed independently. Your sewer bill is calculated based on your "winter average" water consumption data, but billing and collection are handled by the City of Raytown. Failure to pay your sewer bill may result in water service disconnection.
4. Where should I check for leaks? The most common household leaks occur in toilets. Other potential leak sources include water heaters, toilet tank overflow pipes, ice makers, humidifiers, and outdoor faucets accidentally left running. A toilet flush handle that occasionally needs jiggling is often an overlooked source of water waste.
5. How can I test my toilet for leaks? Testing involves using dye to color the water. Dye tablets and detailed instructions are available at our office at no charge for our customers.
6. How frequently will I be billed? Most accounts are billed bi-monthly, with the exception of certain business customers.
7. When is payment due? Bills are due upon receipt. Late fees are applied after the date specified on your original bill, typically the 15th of the month following the billing date.
8. Do you offer a level payment plan? Public Water Supply District No. 2 in Raytown, MO does not currently provide a level payment option.
9. What are the current water rates? Please check our website for the most current rate information.
10. Can I pay through automatic bank draft (ACH)? Yes, we offer automatic withdrawal from your bank account. Enrollment forms and additional information are available upon request.
11. Can I pay with credit or debit cards? Public Water Supply District No. 2 in Raytown, MO accepts Visa and MasterCard payments online, by phone, or in person. Note that online payments aren't credited until the next business day. For imminent disconnections, please contact our office directly to pay by credit card.
12. Can I pay by check over the phone? This service isn't currently available. Customers can always pay by credit card over the phone or online.
13. What options do I have if I cannot pay my bill? We offer payment arrangements on an individual basis, but only after the late date shown on the original bill. Payment arrangements aren't available after service disconnection due to delinquency. Full payment is required to restore service that has been disconnected for non-payment.
14. Can the Water District recheck my meter reading? Yes, we can verify readings upon customer request. We sometimes proactively recheck readings before bills are mailed. Customers may also verify readings themselves.
15. Can I turn my water on myself? Under no circumstances may customers activate their own water service, especially after disconnection for non-payment. Additional charges and fees may be assessed for tampering with disconnected service.