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Find answers to Frequently
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- What are the PHSC contact telephone numbers? For billing questions call 434-245-7099. For emergencies call 434-422-0979. email contact is: peacockhillsc@gmail.com
- What are the PHSC water rates? After 13 years of unchanged water usage rates PHSC water rates were changed effective July 2019 to $0.0101 per gallon for 0-20,999 gallons, and $0.75 per gallon over 20,999 gallons, plus a $25.00 per month service fee. (Note: these rates equate to $10.10 per 1,000 gallons and $75.00 per 1,000 gallons respectively.) See the Tariffs: Rules, Rates and Regulations page for more details on rates and other fees. The webpage 2019 Water Rates Increase describes the most recent increase in tariffs and rates. Note that a septic fee is also included in your overall bill if you are utilizing one of the PHSC maintained septic drain fields.
- How do I pay my water bill? Bills are paid by check, by using the ACH payment option which allows for automated debiting of the billed amount, or by using your bank's customer initiated online payments options. Establishing the latter option is the responsibility of the customer.
- Can I pay my bill with a credit card? No. Credit cards are not accepted at this time.
- When are water meters read? Water meters are manually read during the early portion of even numbered months. Your bimonthly bill thus represents two months of usage.
- What does the SU on my statement refer to? The SU indicates you are a PHSC septic system user - meaning your house's wastewater drains to one of the PHSC maintained septic system drain fields. Approximately 40 Peacock Hill homeowners do this. See the web page Peacock Hill Septic Systems Explained for more details.
- If I am a septic system user do I still have a septic tank? Yes. All homes have septic tanks which connect to a drain field. As a PHSC septic system user your drain field is managed and maintained by PHSC staff, but you must maintain your septic tank. Periodic cleaning, every 3-5 years, depending on household size is recommended. A rebate on cleaning is available. Send a copy of your cleaning receipt to the PHSC. See the Tariffs Rules, Rates and Regulations page for more information on the rebate.
- What are the PHSC septic-sewage rates? Home owners who use the PHSC sewage system pay 105% of their monthly water usage fee for this service.
- Can I dispose of flushable wipes in our septic system? Only limited use of flushable wipes is recommended by PHSC. There is evidence that supports flushing of these wipes can increase the risk of clogged sewer lines and require pumping of septic tanks more often. Although labelled as "flushable" they decompose much more slowly than tissue paper. See Customer Tips & Other Water System Info for more information.
- Can my bill be emailed to me? Bills cannot be automatically emailed to customers.
- Why is my bill particularly high this period? The most frequent reason for an unusually high water bill is due to excessive water usage caused by a leak. Summer water usage also tends to be higher. Please note that a "forgotten" garden hose watering the yard that is left on over night or while you are away for a weekend, on vacation, etc., can consume enormous amounts of water.
- What are the costs for new water service? There is a one time New Water Connection fee and a one time New Water Service Impact fee. See the Tariffs: Rules, Rates and Regulations page for more details.
- Is a deposit required for a new account? No, a deposit is not required, but PHSC does charge an initiation fee of $120 on the first bill. This fee is non-refundable and charged to all new customers.
- Can I have my water service temporarily turned off? Yes, water service can be turned off temporarily, but the $25.00 monthly service fee continues. There is a reconnection fee to resume water usage.
- Should I have a whole house water filter? PHSC recommends home owners use whole house water filters. See our Customer Tips web page for more details.
- What is backflow? Backflow (also called cross-connection) happens when the normal flow of water is reversed from its intended direction in any pipeline or plumbing system. The danger of backflow comes with the potential for cross-contamination: when water that has contacted chemicals or hazardous compounds flows back into the PHSC water system. See the Customer Tips and Water System Info web page for more details.
- Must I contact PHSC when I sell my house ? Yes. Please contact PHSC so that your final water usage (and sewage, if appropriate) statement is correctly calculated.
- Sometimes I have cloudy water. Why? The PHSC water lines to your water meter are connected to a series of community wide pipes back to the two water tanks that serve the community. Occasionally there may be a leak that has to be repaired, and lines are momentarily "flushed" wherein water is drained from them to force any silt accumulations out. Both of these activities can allow air in the water lines which is what you are seeing.
- What is the quality of the PHSC water? See the web page Annual Water Quality Reports 2019 - 2010 for copies of mandated VDH (Virginia Department of Health) reports regarding water quality. PHSC water is slightly acidic. (The pH scale is 0-14, 0 being pure acid, with 7 being neutral. Ideally water systems like a pH range 7.2 - 7.5.) The water's pH levels range in the low 6 range, 6.2 - 6.7 which is not uncommon for wells in this region. If it were much under 6.0 the VDH would likely have PHSC implement pH control by adding soda ash (sodium carbonate).
- How does PHSC compare to other water utilities? There are 151,000 public water systems in the USA. PHSC is a very small water utility, but small companies are typical. The largest water utility in Virginia is Fairfax County with over 355,000 residential users and 12,500 businesses, but many small rural towns and counties have less than 500 customers, much like PHSC. One difference with PHSC is that most utilities also have local businesses as customers. PHSC only serves our home owners.