City Departments: Water & Sewer

Apply for Service
Shellsburg city utilities include water, sewer, landfill, garbage and storm water drain. To apply for service, fill out this form and return it to City Hall.
​
Utility Bill (water/sewer/landfill/garbage/storm water drain) -
Utility bills are due the last day of the month. Delinquent bills cost you money. 10% penalty if not paid on time, plus additional fees if not paid within a week. See fees below.
There are four ways to pay your utility bill:
1. Online at www.govpaynow. PLC code is a003wo. There is a 2.95% processing fee. Note: this is the only city-authorized on-line payment site. There is another online site that accepts payments, but it is not authorized by the city. You may incur late fees if you use any site except the one shown above.
2. Set up automatic withdrawal from a checking or savings account. Fill out this form to sign up, or obtain the form from City Hall. There are no extra fees and you can discontinue the service up to 20 business days prior to the withdrawal date.
3. Receive your bill via email and pay as normal. Fill out this form to sign up.
4. Receive your bill via postal mail and pay as normal. This is the default set up unless you opt for one of the three options above.

​Utility Notices and Water Shut Off Policy
Delinquency Notice timeline: 
  • 1st day of month – Meters are read (weather permitting)
  • 15th day of month – Utility bills are mailed showing usage for prior calendar month
  • Last day of month – Utility bills for prior month are due
  • 1st day of following month – delinquent notices sent out giving a week to pay overdue bill
  • If overdue bill is not paid within that week, a red door tag is placed on the door of the residence. Red door tag provides notice that water will be shut off if overdue utility bill is not paid in full the following day. Water is not turned back on until all overdue utility bills and fees are paid in full. Dates referenced above are typical dates. Dates that fall on weekends and holidays or that are impacted by weather or other events advance to next regular work day. Fees:
  • Hang red door tag: $30.00 charge
  • Water shut off: $30.00 charge
  • Turn water back on: $30.00 charge

​Water System
The City’s water system consists of two wells, an iron removal plant, booster pumps and two water storage tanks. One of the water storage tanks is an elevated tank, the other is a ground tank. The water storage tanks have a combined storage capacity of 280,000 gallons. The City’s Utilities Department also maintains 44 fire hydrants, 120 main line valves, 8.5 miles of 4-inch to 12-inch water main and 420 water meters. We produce on the average 70,000 gallons of water per day. Along with removing iron, we disinfect the water with chlorine and add ortho phosphate for iron and corrosion control in the City’s Water Distribution System. The new water treatment plant and ground storage tank were brought online November of 2011. 

Wastewater Collection System and Treatment
The City’s Wastewater Collection System and Wastewater Treatment consist of 6.5 miles of 8-inch and 15-inch gravity sewer main, 2.3 miles of 6-inch forced sewer main, 150 manholes, and an Extended Aeration Activated Sludge Mechanical/Biological Treatment Plant. The treatment plant is capable of treating an average flow of 480,000 gallons per day with a peak wet weather flow of 1.150 million gallons per day. The plant was designed to treat a population equivalent to 3,300 people. The new wastewater treatment plant was built in 2003 and was brought online in December 2003. The City started accepting wastewater for treatment from the Timber Ridge Trailer Court in December of 2003. The wastewater is pumped 2.3 miles from the trailer court to the City’s collection system then via gravity flow to the treatment plant for treatment.

Water and Sewer Line Repair Coverage
Shellsburg residents have an option to purchase a warranty plan that provides repair coverage for your outside water and sewer line. For more information, please see the company’s website at Service Line Warranties of America. You may also contact city staff for general information on enrollment.