Meters are read every two months by a City of Gig Harbor employee.  This information is then forwarded to Utility Billing who generates the bills you receive every other month.

The City of Gig Harbor rarely estimates a utility bill.  Estimated bills are only necessary when our meter reader cannot physically gain access to the meter.  City of Gig Harbor Municipal Code 13.02.100 states that meter readers shall have access to the meters at all reasonable hours for the purpose of inspecting, maintaining, repairing, replacing and reading them.  Please help our readers obtain accurate reads by ensuring that your meter is accessible.

There are at least two common causes for a higher-than-usual water bill.

Ř    Water consumption may increase in the summer months because of warm weather activities.  If your bill seems unusually high, the most common cause is due to landscape watering.  Make sure the times on your automatic sprinklers are not set for too long or too often.  If you water manually, be careful not to over-water.  Also, take care not to water sidewalks or streets, or accidentally leave a hose on longer than needed.  Water used for washing cars or filling pools can also result in an increased bill.

Ř  It may be possible that a leak has occurred somewhere on the property.  A “check for leak” test is a good place to start if you suspect your may have a leak.  If you determine that a leak has occurred, please notify Utility Billing at 253-851-6157.

To perform a check for leak test and determine whether you have a leak:

Ř    Begin by finding your meter (most meter boxes are located near the street at ground level in front of the property).  Using a screwdriver or stick, open the meter box lid.  Write down the number shown on the odometer style dial.  This is your current meter read.

Ř  Compare this meter read to the reading on your latest bill.  If the current read is lower, then either your meter is failing or your meter has been misread (very seldom does this happen, but it does happen).  If your reading is lower, please call us at 253-851-6157.

Ř     If the current read is higher than on your latest bill, use no water for at least two hours (it may be more convenient to do a check for leak test before leaving for work or overnight).  Take a second reading following this period of non-usage.  If no water was used, the two readings should be the same.  If the reading has changed, there may be a leak somewhere on the property.

If your meter shows usage during the meter test, a leak may be occurring on the property.  A toilet running continuously, even a slow, silent leak, can add gallons to your bill.  Water faucets that do not turn off completely can mean an increased bill as well.

If you have done a leak check and are still unable to determine the cause of the problem, please call us at 253-851-6157.  We can have someone check the meter and determine if you should call a plumber or someone qualified to do the work.  The City is responsible for leaks that occur from the water main to and including the water meter.  Leaks from the water meter up to and including the home or business are the responsibility of the property owner.

Sewer bills consist of a monthly minimum and a consumption charge.  Consumption is based on the four winter month’s water usage.  Using this consumption the city calculates an average two months consumption.  The customer is never billed higher than the winter consumption, but should the usage be less than the winter consumption, it could bill down to the minimum which is 1000 cubic feet for two months.  The winter consumption is calculated every winter to allow for changes in the household, this winter consumption change occurs with the April bill.

The Storm Drainage utility billing supports the maintenance and development of a storm water collection, treatment and discharge system within the Gig Harbor City limits.  This fee is charged to all developed properties based on the impervious area of the lot on commercial properties and a flat fee for single family residential properties.  Properties outside the city limits pay this fee also; it is collected and administered by Pierce County and included on the Pierce County tax bill.

A backflow prevention device is required by the State of Washington to be installed on every water connection that may be exposed to potential contaminates.  These assemblies prevent contaminated water from entering the public water supply or your residential water system.  Most backflow devices are installed on home sprinkler systems.  State of Washington regulation WAC 246-290-490 requires this device installation and its annual testing to assure the device is working correctly.  The City of Gig Harbor, as your water purveyor, tracks this annual testing in accordance with state regulations.  For further information or a list of certified testers, please contact us at 253-851-6157.