Frequently Asked Questions - Public Works
The Public Works Department receives many questions about the services
our various divisions provide. We hope this page will help answer some
of those questions, but please do feel free to contact us with comments
or questions that are not represented here. Contact information is located
within these categories:
Electric Utility
1) Who do I notify when preparing to dig on my property?
To prevent unintentional contact with buried electrical facilities,
call JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators ) at
1-800-892-0123. They will notify the underground utilities of the
proposed activity and ask them to mark the locations with colored flags
(each utility is assigned a different color). JULIE should be called
48 hours prior to the digging (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
). All utilities determined to be within the boundaries of your address
will be notified to locate underground lines within 48 hours. There
is no charge for this service.
2) Can I landscape around the electrical transformer or pedestal
in my yard?
City Code requires the homeowner to maintain a "clear zone" of
3 feet to the side and rear of any transformer and 8 feet in front
of it for proper clearances so our crews can perform maintenance and
switching procedures. Shrubs may be planted as long as they do not
encroach in this clear zone. Please allow for the shrubs mature growth
when planting in this area. Most of the transformers should have a
sticker on them indicating this clearance. For pedestals, the clear
area can be reduced to 1 foot around the sides and rear of the pedestal
and 3 feet in front of it.
3) What are the major causes of power interruptions?
Power outages are generally caused by the following events:
| a. |
Vehicles colliding with
above-ground power structures, such as poles, switchgear enclosures,
pad mount transformers, pedestals etc. |
| |
| b. |
Contact of bare power lines with tree
limbs, kite or balloon strings. |
| |
| c. |
Natural environmental conditions, such
as high winds, snow or ice storms, tornadoes, electrical storms,
flooding etc. |
| |
| d. |
Accidental contact with electrical facilities,
buried or above ground, from construction work. |
| |
| e. |
Normal maintenance work required by
the electric utility to improve service or install a new customer. |
| |
| f. |
Animal contact with transformer or switchgear
bushings or wires. |
| |
| g. |
Interruptions on ComEd’s system
that de-energize their power feed to our substations (our source
of power comes from several ComEd 34kV overhead power lines that
feed our substations). |
| |
| h. |
Unknown causes. |
4) How do I get a new electric service installed?
Contact the Electric Utility office at 630-377-4407 or visit us
at 10 State Ave. (next to the Police Station) and fill out an Electric
Service Application for New Service.
5) Electric Utility crews have been digging and working in the easement
adjacent to my property. When will the dirt and grass be restored?
The City Electric Utility contracts with a landscape company to
perform easement and parkway restoration following the completion of
utility work. When work is planned for an entire area or subdivision,
the restoration is typically scheduled for that whole area at one time,
after all the work is completed. Depending on the project schedule,
those who are located in an area completed first may see the restoration
work occur in several weeks, after the whole area has been completed.
The restoration work is scheduled as timely as possible to accommodate
the project and maintain a high level of efficiency and value. Contact
the Electric Utility office during normal business hours (M-F, 8 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m.) at 377-4407 with specific restoration questions.
6) Who do I call to report an outage?
Call the 24-Hour Utilities Hotline at 443-3681 to report electric
outages or water/sewer problems.
7) Who do I call to report a streetlight that is burned out or flickering?
Residents can call the Electric
Office at 377-4407 during normal
business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday to report
inoperable streetlights or use the City's Customer Service Request (CSR) system to report the streetlight. Streetlights are normally repaired on Fridays.
8) I have a question about my electric bill.
Utility accounts can be viewed online at http://www.stcharlesil.gov/ubills/ or call the Utility Billing office with specific questions at (630)
377-4426, or by email at gblaha@stcharlesil.gov.
9) Who is responsible for the electric lines attached to my house
and the ones that run down to the meter?
For overhead electric service, the City is responsible for the overhead
wires from the pole up to, but not including, the house attachment
hardware. The customer is responsible for the house attachment and
wiring from the overhead wires down to and including the meter
enclosure. The City will make the final connection from the overhead
cable to the customer’s
wiring. The City will also provide the meter at the current cost.
10) Where will my new electric service be located?
Generally, the City prefers to locate a new electric service, either
overhead or underground, on the side of the house. This will minimize
conflicts with the electric lines and future “build outs”
usually located at the rear of the house.
11) Can I build a patio/deck over my existing underground service
or directly below my existing overhead service?
The City does not permit installing a deck or patio over a buried
electric service unless the existing cables are in conduit so they
may be easily replaced in case of a damaged cable. Customers wishing
to install such facilities must either pay to relocate the existing
cables around the proposed deck/patio or pay to re-install the section
under the proposed patio/deck in 3” PVC Schedule 40 conduit,
which should extend for a minimum of 5 feet beyond the new facility.
If the existing service is overhead, the customer must maintain a
minimum vertical clearance of 12 feet from the patio or deck to the
overhead wires.
12) How can we save on energy costs?
You can save energy costs by following some of these familiar steps.
Keep in mind that about 60% of your total energy usage comes from heating
and cooling; another 20% results from heating your water; the other
20% comes from appliances and lighting.
A. Turn off the lights when leaving the room, especially incandescent
bulbs. The bulbs are only about 20% efficient. The rest of the energy
is given off as heat. On the other hand, converting to modern compact
florescent bulbs, which are lower in wattage and longer lasting,
will conserve more energy.
B. Lower your gas furnace thermostat a couple of degrees from your
normal setting. This could translate into a winter monthly cost savings
in electricity as well as gas, since your gas “forced air”
furnace still needs a fan connected to an electric motor to push the
air throughout the house. For example, every degree you dial back
on your thermostat can save 2-3% on heating.
C. As older appliances need replacement, purchase new appliances
with higher efficiency ratings.
D. Reducing the temperature on the water heater down to its normal
setting of about 110 – 120 degrees and insulating the heater
will save energy.
E. Save over 50% of your water heater usage by taking a few minutes
off your shower time and using the cold water setting on the clothes
washer whenever possible (about 80% of the energy used to wash clothes
is for heating the water).
F. Make sure your refrigerator setting is set at a reasonable temperature
and not too cold. Recommended values per DOE (Department of Energy)
would be in the range of 37 to 40 degrees for the fresh food compartment
and about 5 degrees for the frozen food section.
G. Swimming pool pumps draw a substantial amount of current. One way
to save energy is to reduce the running time of the pump. Realizing
that circulating the pool water keeps the chemicals mixed and captures
floating debris through the skimmer, a study was done recently in
Florida involving 120 residential pools. One of the outcomes of the
study was that most people who reduced the pumping time to around
3-4 hours per day, while still happy with the water’s quality,
saw a 60% reduction in their electric bill in pump usage.
H. The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency set the criteria for the Energy Star Label. Appliances having
the energy star label are high-performance products, which should
reduce operating cost of the appliance over the lifetime of the
product. When shopping for an air conditioner, look for an EnergyGuide
label with a high Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). The higher the
ratio, the more efficiently it operates. In regards to clothes washers,
dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, look for the EnergyGuide
label that tells how much electricity in kWh (Kilowatt hours) these
appliances will use in a year. The smaller the number, the more
efficiently they work in using less electrical energy.
13) What is a Kilowatt-hour?
A Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is electrical energy consumption per given time.
In other words, it is the amount of power (measured in watts) an appliance
uses in an hour of use. This is what your electric meter measures and
is generally recorded on a monthly basis. On average, the typical homeowner
in our service area uses about
700 kWh of electricity per month. The electrical usage for an apartment,
on the other hand, would be about half of that.
Here is a sample calculation for determining monthly electrical appliance
usage: Say you have a 1500 watt microwave oven that you estimate is
used 12 hours per month. So then, we have:
| kWh (per month) = |
1500 (watts) x 12 (hrs. per month)
_____________________________
1000 (watts per kW)
|
= 18 kWh per month |
The City’s charge (currently, as of November 2008) per kWh for the first 1000 kWh used during the summer months is $.098 for a Rate1 Residential customer; therefore, the cost of using the microwave for that month would be: 18 kWh x $.098 per kWh or $1.76.
For further in-depth information on energy conservation, log on to the
U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) web site at: http://www.eere.energy.gov.
14) Where can I get a copy of the City’s electrical code?
The City Electric Code is Chapter 13.08 (http://www.stcharlesil.gov/codebook/title-13/t13-ch08.html)
of the St. Charles Municipal Code. The National Electric Codes are
also available for viewing in the City Administrator’s/City
Clerk’s
office at 2 E. Main Street. Questions may be directed to the Electric
Division office, (630) 377-4407) 200 Devereaux Way, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
Public Trees
1) Why does my new tree have a wrap on it?
Wrapping is a procedure often used on younger trees to provide
some insulation in winter and protect against sun scald. Only young
trees or those with thin bark (Maple, Linden and Honey Locust) are
wrapped. Generally, wraps are used from November through May.
2) Is it all right to prune my parkway tree?
No -- There are often hazards involved in trimming parkway trees
that City staff and contractors are equipped to handle, such as overhead
power lines, branches falling into the street, etc. It is best to
report trimming needs to the attention of the Public Works office,
630-377-4405.
3) Can I put too much mulch on my tree?
Yes -- Anything more than 2 to 3 inches actually prevents water
from getting to the roots. The bigger danger occurs when people pile
mulch directly against the trunk like a volcano. That fools the roots
into thinking there is soil close to the tree and the roots begin circling
around the trunk, strangling the tree. In addition, mulch that is
mounded against a tree’s trunk can cause bark rot, which makes
the tree vulnerable to diseases and insects. For a diagram and details
on proper mulching, visit Tree
Care 101.
4) What does the pink dot on the parkway trees mean?
Trees marked with a pink dot are scheduled for removal. The pink
dot is usually placed on a tree during parkway tree inspections or
if the City Arborist happens to notice a tree in great distress. It
generally signifies that the tree needs to be removed. Residents are
typically notified by mail in advance of the removal.
5) When should I water?
Generally speaking, area trees require one inch of water per week
when in leaf, either from rain or via the garden hose. If nature doesn't
provide, set a hose to a SLOW TRICKLE over the area within a tree's
dripline (the extent to the branch spread). Move the hose periodically
to cover as much of the root zone as possible. Better yet, use a soaker
hose, which can water a greater area of the root zone and does not
need to be moved as often.
Care must be taken not to over-water! Believe it or not, over-watering
is a big killer of trees. When the tiny air passages between soil
particles fill with water, roots cannot extract oxygen. Trees can
literally drown. Check the soil to make sure watering is necessary.
If the ground is moist, don't water.
6) If the parkway tree in front of my home looks bad whom should I
call?
Contact Public Services Staff at the Public Works office, at 630-377-4405. For trees on private property, the Illinois Arborist Association, (708) 960-5922, http://www.illinoisarborist.org/, can assist with information and referrals of certified arborists.
7) Can I fertilize my parkway trees?
When a tree is purchased through the City’s Share-the
Cost Parkway Tree Planting Program, the resident is given a sheet of instructions
when the tree is planted. The instructions contain information on
fertilizer, etc.
Following are some of the symptoms of nutrient deficiency: pale green
or yellow leaves, reduced leaf size and retention, premature fall
coloration and leaf drop, reduced twig and branch elongation and retention,
yellowing along the leaf veins, and overall reduced plant growth and
vigor.
A soil analysis before you fertilize will help determine what nutrients
your tree needs (soil test forms and instructions are available at
our local Extension office, (630) 584-6166, or at local hardware stores).
If the soil test recommends lime, apply it; this balances the soil
pH and helps plants absorb nutrients more efficiently. To avoid potential
nutrient deficiencies, establish a fertilization schedule for young
and newly transplanted trees and shrubs. Fertilize annually for two
years with slow release fertilizer to promote establishment in the
landscape. Fertilize every two years until the plant matures, if it
is not in already fertilized turf. Fertilize mature trees and shrubs
if growth seems inadequate.
8) I’m worried about the parkway tree in front of my house. It looks like it’s dying. Who do I call?
Please contact the Public Works Office at (630) 377-4405 or by email at isoderlind@stcharlesil.gov. They will inspect the tree and schedule any needed maintenance, treatment or replacement.
9) It’s been a while since the parkway tree in front of my house was trimmed. Is it all right to remove some of the branches myself?
No -- Only City crews or their contractors are allowed to trim parkway trees. Please call the Public Works Office at (630) 377-4405 or email isoderlind@stcharlesil.gov and let him know about the parkway tree that should be trimmed so he can add it to our trimming schedule.
10) A new tree was planted on the parkway in front of my house, and it has a gator bag on it. Should I fill it or does the City take care of this task?
City crews do try to keep up with the care of the parkway trees and filling the gator bags, but it takes us a while to get around to all of them that are spread throughout the community. Residents’ help in filling the bags every other day to help insure the survival of the new tree is greatly appreciated.
Refuse and Recycling
1) What items can I recycle?
St. Charles’ curbside recycling program includes newsprint, aluminum
cans, steel cans, empty aerosol cans, empty paint cans, glass bottles
and jars, corrugated cardboard, all plastic containers except polystyrene,
mixed paper, junk mail, used motor oil and household batteries.
2) What can I do with my old computer equipment?
Used electronic devices are collected at the Kane County Circuit Clerk’s
Office, 540 South Randall Road, usually on the second Tuesday of each
month. Hours of collection are from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. For more information,
please visit the Kane
County web site at http://www.co.kane.il.us/Environment/recycle/electronic.htm.
3) What can I do to properly dispose of unwanted household chemicals,
pesticides, pool supplies, etc.?
Residents can take these items to Naperville Fire Station #4 from 9
a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, except holidays. The fire
station is located at the corner of Brook Street and Route 59 in Naperville.
Kane County also sponsors a household hazardous waste drop-off day
in May each year. For the current schedule, please visit Kane County's
web site http://www.co.kane.il.us/Environment/recycle/hhw.htm.
4) The refuse collector did not pick up my large item (sofa, refrigerator,
etc.). Who should I call?
Large items are collected by a special refuse truck designed to accommodate
large items. Large item pickups are scheduled and occur later on the
same collection day, or in the event of a heavy refuse day, they will
be collected the following day. The large item must have a refuse
sticker or bag affixed to it. Additional questions about large item
collection may be directed to Veolia Environmental Services at 587-8282.
5) I just moved to St. Charles—how do I find out when my
refuse collection day is?
Check our online Refuse
Collection Map and Schedule
for details.
6) My recycling bin blew away in the wind. Where can I get another
one?
Each resident is issued one free recycling bin. Additional recycling
bins can be acquired for $7.50 each from the Utility Billing Office
(377-4426) at City Hall, 2 E. Main Street, or Veolia (587-8282).
Streets, Parkways, Sidewalks and Signs
1) Who do I call to report a pothole?
Please contact the Public Works Office directly at (630) 377-4916
or (630) 762-6938 or submit a Customer Service Request online.
2) I had my curb/sidewalk replaced last year and now the ground
has settled. Will the City fix the problem?
Yes, we try to check all curbs and sidewalks from the previous year’s
maintenance and perform repairs as needed. As hard as we try to catch
them all, there are miles and miles of sidewalk to check. If we missed
one, please call and let the Street Division know at (630) 762-6938 or submit a Customer Service Request online.
3) The curb and sidewalk in front of my home was replaced, but
the parkway has not been restored and I still have barricades out
there. When will this be taken care of?
We try to follow up after parkway work as quickly as we can with the
restoration. Sometimes we do fall behind, though, especially due to
inclement weather. To make sure that it was not missed, please feel
free to give the Street Division a call at (630) 762-6938.
4) Do City crews water the new grass seed spread for restoration
of the parkway after work was completed?
The City relies on Mother Nature and homeowners to take care of this
task, as it would be impossible for City crews to haul the tanks of
water throughout the community as frequently as new grass needs to
be watered.
5) Will the City use sod to repair my parkway after getting new
curbs?
The City does not sod for any concrete or blacktop restoration -- grass
seed seems to work best and is the most economical alternative for
appropriate parkway restoration.
6) Who do I call to report a crumbling curb or hazardous sidewalk?
Please call the Street Division at (630) 762-6938 or submit a Customer Service Request online. City staff will
come out to inspect the curb or sidewalk and add it to our “to
do”
list if the work is not already on our work schedule.
7) I saw someone trip on the sidewalk in front of my house, who
do I call?
Please call the Street Division at (630) 762-6938 or submit a Customer Service Request online. They will come
out to inspect the sidewalk and schedule a repair or replacement if
warranted.
8) How do you decide which sidewalks get replaced?
We inspect all sidewalks every winter and rate them according to the
level of hazard. The worst ones are addressed first during the summer.
Some are on streets that are already scheduled to be resurfaced,
so we schedule repairs at the same time. The others are scheduled
to be replaced, mudjacked, ground or cold patched to temporarily
eliminate the hazard.
9) My driveway apron and service walk have deteriorated over the
years. Will the City replace these areas?
The City will replace a driveway apron or service walk if the City
damages them during curb or sidewalk replacement. Otherwise, homeowners
should repair and/or replace them as needed.
10) There are branches hanging over the stop sign by my house.
Who takes care of this problem?
Please call the Street Division at (630) 762-6938 or submit a Customer Service Request online. We will take care
of this immediately.
Traffic and Transportation
1) How are local roadway impacts considered with new developments
in neighboring communities?
Although most projects consider impacts on roadways near the development,
regional impacts are difficult to evaluate and therefore are not typically
considered. For example, a development in Wasco will increase traffic
volumes on IL 64 (Main St.). No transportation consideration for improvements
to the IL 64 bridge crossing the Fox River, however, is required.
2) Who makes the decisions for the transportation (street)
system, land uses and development?
Land use and development decisions are made by municipalities
for areas within their boundaries or properties petitioning for annexation.
Land use decisions for areas outside municipal boundaries are made by
Kane County.
| Street Location Type
|
Decision Maker |
| IL 64, IL 31, IL 25 |
Illinois Department of Transportation |
| Kirk Road |
Kane County Division of Transportation |
| Randall Road |
Kane County Division of Transportation |
| Illinois Street |
City of St. Charles |
| Prairie Street |
City of St. Charles |
| neighborhood streets |
City of St. Charles |
3) How much traffic uses Main Street and other City
roadways?
| Location |
24-Hour Vehicle Count
|
| IL 64 on the river |
43,443 (year 2008) |
| Illinois Street Bridge |
8,928 (year 2008) |
| Prairie Street Bridge |
9,561 (year 2008) |
4) How has traffic on Main Street/IL Rte. 64 increased?
| Year |
24-Hour Vehicle Count |
| 2003 |
45,310 |
| 2004 |
43,589 |
| 2005 |
45,229 |
| 2006 |
42,466 |
| 2007 |
43,071 |
| 2008 |
42,291 |
5) What is the percentage of trucks, compared with cars, on Main Street/IL Rte. 64?
The following numbers and percentages are based on the 2008 24-hour vehicle count of 42,921:
| Vehicle Type |
Number |
Percentage |
| Cars |
41,702 |
97.1% |
| Small Trucks |
856 |
2% |
| Trucks/Buses |
216 |
.5% |
| Tractor-Trailers |
147 |
.3% |
6) Do a lot of people still speed through the downtown area on Main Street/IL Rte. 64?
In 2008, a 24-hour traffic study of IL Rte. 64 in the downtown area the 85th percentile speed (speed at which 85% of the traffic is driving under) is 32.1 mph eastbound and 28.9 mph west bound. The posted Speed is 30 mph.
7) Is there any data on how long it takes to drive through the downtown area on Main Street/IL Rte. 64?
City staff record travel times weekly to verify signal timings during the peak times. Peak is a consecutive period of more than 400 vehicles in a 15-minute increment (traveling in one direction). Eastbound peak is 6:30 to 8 a.m.; westbound peak is 4 to 7 p.m. Following is the average amount of time it takes to travel between 7th St. and 7th Ave. during peak times on Main Street:
2008 Eastbound
AM -
3 min., 30 sec.
PM - 2 min., 59 sec.
2008 Westbound
AM - 2 min., 50 sec.
PM - 3 min., 22 sec.
8) What throws off the traffic signals
to cause such traffic congestion at times?
Traffic congestion can be caused by peak travel times (rush
hour), accidents, stalled vehicles blocking a lane, or a semi-truck
maneuvering a turn. It is typically the emergency service vehicles
(fire trucks/ambulances) that interrupt the normal traffic signal synchronization,
though. It takes about ten minutes to re-establish signal synchronization
and normal traffic flow after an emergency vehicle interrupts the cycle.
9) How are truck routes designated?
The City has the ability to designate truck routes on city
roadways only. The Illinois Department of Transportation and Kane
County Division of Transportation designate truck routes on their
respective roadway systems. The City, for example, cannot ban trucks
on IL 64 to improve traffic congestion, as this is roadway falls under
the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation.
10) Will public transportation be an alternative
for the future?
Most people are familiar with the existing METRA rail system
south of St. Charles. Bus service is also available on routes 801
from Elgin and 802 from Aurora. These routes stop at Charlestowne
Mall, the east side industrial park, Main Street, and Randall Road.
Dial-A-Ride is
also available for seniors or those with special needs, offering discounted
trips from their door to any location within St. Charles, Geneva or
Geneva Township. These services are part of the Regional Transportation
Authority (RTA). An expansion of the system would be related to ridership
and public opinion that advocates a need for such services, balanced
with costs. PACE will not operate a route that cannot be supported
through ridership. The Priorities citizen survey indicated that less
than 50% of respondents felt improving the existing public transportation
system was important.
11) Why does it take so long to build a
new bridge/road?
Whether a new bridge or road is being funded with local, county,
state or federal money, a process is in place to consider the interests
of property owners and groups who endorse or reject the improvement.
This process takes time and is dependent on the complexity of issues
and number of governmental reviews. Money cannot be spent until the
government body funding the bridge or road documents the need, and
that all steps have been taken to minimize the negative impacts. It
also takes time to build reserves and secure financing for these types
of large, costly projects.
12) What transportation improvements are
planned?
| Project |
Year Expected |
| Widen IL 64 to 6 lanes (IL 59 to Kautz Rd.) |
2010 |
| Add a center turn lane on IL 64 (7th Ave.
to Dunham Rd.) |
2010 |
13) Are signals in downtown St. Charles
synchronized and have improvements been made to them?
The downtown signals are synchronized. The City worked with the Illinois
Department of Transportation (IDOT) in 2002 on a computer model of
traffic signal operations using traffic count data observed in the
field. This simulation identified discrepancies in the coordination
between signals along IL 64 (Main Street) between 7th Ave. and 7th
St. The computer software also modeled ways to optimize signal coordination.
The updated traffic signal synchronization along IL 64 was installed
in 2003 and also coordinates with the Illinois corridor just two blocks
south. Since 2003, City staff have been monitoring downtown traffic
signal performance weekly and promptly addressing signal malfunctions.
14) How long does it take to drive through the
downtown?
Generally, it takes 3 minutes and 45 seconds to drive
from 7th Ave. to 7th St. on Main St. This is based on data collected
over the past 18 months, driving westbound on Wednesdays at 4 p.m.
15) Are there improvements proposed for the intersection
of IL 64 (Main Street) and IL 31, in particular, the addition of a left-turn
lane for motorists traveling south on IL 31 to east IL 64?
The intersection of IL 64 (Main Street) and IL 31
is under the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois. At this time, there
is no State project that would provide for any improvement at this intersection
or along the IL 31 approach to IL 64 (Main Street).
16) Are the traffic signals on Randall and Kirk
Roads synchronized?
Traffic signals along Kirk and Randall Roads are under
the jurisdiction of Kane County. The Kane County Division of Transportation
(KDOT) advises that the traffic signals along Kirk Road are presently
synchronized. Randall Road also has synchronized and interconnected
traffic signals.
17) Is traffic congestion an issue in other communities?
Yes -- As motorists, we have all experienced traffic
congestion, in particular, during the morning and evening “rush.” In
reading the local and regional newspapers and citizen comments about
time spent on the daily commute, congestion is a growing concern
locally and nationally. Perspective also impacts a driver's awareness
of congestion. A visitor from Oak Park may find traffic in St. Charles
acceptable, while a resident may find the increasing traffic and
related congestion overwhelming.
18) What can motorists do to avoid traffic congestion?
- Make cross-town trips outside the peak morning and evening rush
hours.
- Look for alternative routes for crossing the Fox River, such as
the Illinois and Prairie Street Bridges in lieu of the IL 64 (Main
Street) Bridge.
- Be aware of construction projects, look for the posted detours or
find other routes to bypass the construction zone.
- Consider carpooling, public transportation, walking or bicycling.
Water and Sewer
1) Where does my water come from?
St. Charles’ water supply system has a network of seven wells,
collecting water from two separate aquifers. We do not utilize Lake
Michigan or the Fox River for drinking water.
2) How hard is my water?
Because we have seven wells with unique characteristics, water hardness
in the distribution system varies, depending the proximity of your
home to the different wells. Please refer to the water
hardness map to determine the hardness of the water in your area.
3) How much do I pay for City water and sewer services?
The charges for residential sewer users can be found in Section
13.12.830 of the St. Charles Municipal Code. The charges for residential
water users can be found in Section
13.16.190 of the St. Charles Municipal Code.
4) Who should I contact if I have a question about my water bill?
The Utility Billing Office (377-4426) can assist you with questions
about your bill and payment options.
5) Who should I contact if I have a question about water pressure
or a water leak?
During normal working hours, please call our Public Works Office at
377-4405. For after hours emergencies, please call the 24-hour line
at 443-3681.
6) Who should I contact if have a sewer or drainage problem?
During normal hours, please call our Public Works Office at 377-4405.
For after hours emergencies, please call 377-4435.
| For more information on water/sewer, please call (630) 377-4405 or email pw@stcharlesil.gov |
|
updated 12/9/08
|
