Show All Answers

1. Where can I pay my water bill?

You can pay your water bill at the Utilities Administrative offices at 1106 1st Street. Drugmart will also accept blue bill payments for their customers but please advised that they mail in their payments to the Utilities office. Payments may be made online or by phone at 440-204-2500 option 2. For more information, contact us at 440-204-2501.

2. How do I sign up for water service?

Customers who purchase property in Lorain or Amherst township need to come into the billing office located at 1106 First Street, Lorain. A photo identification, proof of purchase (settlement statement, purchase agreement, etc), and a point of inspection from the Building Department is needed when signing up. For more information, contact us at 440-204-2501.

3. What should I do if my water bill seems too high?

Most high water bills are caused by service line leaks, faucet or toilet leaks, or outside use greater than previous years due to hotter or dryer weather. There is a leak indicator on the head of the meter. Also, taking meter readings over a time period when no water should be used, can indicate a water leak. The meter readings can only move when water has passed through the meter. For more information, contact us at 440-204-2501.

4. Who do I contact if there is a water main break?

Contact 440-204-2285 to report a water main break.

5. What is a water service pipe? Who owns it and maintains it?

The water service is the pipe which begins with the connection to the water main in the city right-of-way and comes into your property. This service line has two valves on it to allow your water to be turned on or off. The first valve, called a curb stop, is generally located near the property line and is normally housed by a cylinder with a cap on it called a curb box or stop box. The other valve is located in your home next to the water meter. Other valves may be near plumbing fixtures in your home such as sinks and toilets. 

Repairs to anything on the service other than the meter, is the responsibility of the property owner. Keeping the valve at the meter in good working condition will assure that you will be able to turn your water off in an emergency, such as a water pipe break. If this valve at the meter does not work in an emergency, call 440-204-2500 so that Utilities Department can shut your water off at the stop box, which requires a stop box key. Only the City of Lorain Utilities Department may turn off the shut off valve.

6. How are water characteristics measured?

Due to the development of increasingly more sensitive scientific instruments, it is possible to measure water characteristics in precise and minute quantities that previously went undetected. The Water Quality Report shows measurements in parts per million, which is equivalent to milligrams per liter, and parts per billion, which is the same as micrograms per liter. To put these measurements into perspective, consider that one part per million, in time, would be one second out of 11 1/2 days. One part per billion translates into just one second in nearly 33 years. For more information, contact us at 440-204-2501.

7. What kind of technology is used to test the water?

The Water Department's Water Quality Laboratory uses the latest technology to ensure the highest test accuracy at the lowest possible cost. Our testing can determine minuscule quantities of contaminates in water and we are constantly studying ways to improve our testing capabilities. For more information, contact us at 440-204-2501.