Utilities FAQ

Q: I just purchased a home on Beech Mountain. How to I set up a utility account?
A: Please complete and return an Application for Utility Service to the Utility Billing Office.

Q: My neighbors said that I need to turn my water off at the curb before I leave for the season? What does this mean?
A: All utility customers are required to turn water service off using their own private cutoff valve when the structure will be unoccupied for more than three days.

Q: Why is my water pressure lower than normal?
A: If the low pressure is only occurring at a single faucet, first check that the filter is not clogged with sediment. Next, check for running toilets and leaky pipes, including at the hot water heater. If the low pressure is consistent throughout the house and there is no evidence of a leak, call the Public Works Office for next troubleshooting steps. If there is routine hydrant flushing occurring in the area or a larger system disturbance, it could explain localized pressure changes. If there is no system activity that could have possibly contributed, the issue is likely exclusive to your home system. Please reference the professionals for recommended plumbers.

Q: Why is my utility bill higher than normal?
A: Firstly, be sure that you are considering your water use during the period that water usage was measured (15th-15th of each month). Did you have extra guests during that period or possibly do some landscaping? Fill your hot tub? If there was no additional usage suspected during the measured period, it is possible that a water leak is present. Call the Utility Billing or Public Works Office to request an assessment.

Q: My water is discolored, what is going on?
A: Minerals and sediment accumulate over time in water mains. When a disturbance occurs, such as a water main break or the opening of a hydrant, the pressure changes can cause brown or rust colored water to reach your home system. System disturbances can also cause excess air in the pipes, resulting in a cloudy or milky appearance of water from the tap. Please call the Public Works Office if your water does not run clear after flushing your pipes for about 15 minutes at an outdoor spigot or bathtub. Once your water runs clear, it is safe to consume.