Gladwin, MI

• On or around the 15^th of each month, a DPW employee drives around the city and collects meter reads electronically
• The amount of your bill depends on the types of services provided, water consumption, and possible penalties or other fees incurred
• A monthly base rate (ready-to-serve fee) applies to all accounts even if no services are being used
• If you have questions about your utility bill call the Utility Billing Clerk @ (989) 426-9231 Ext. 10

• You are billed based on the amount of water that goes through your meter.

• If you use more water, your bill will be higher.
  • It's possible to not even realize you used more water until you think about situations that may apply like filling a swimming pool, watering the lawn, or having company stay with you.
  • It is also possible to have a bill higher than the previous one, depending on your usage days. This means you may use the majority of your "normal monthly use" after the read is taken and the remaining monthly use will carry over to the next billing cycle. 
• However, if none of the above apply and your water use habits haven't changed, you may possibly have a leak. Some leaks are inconspicuous and unrecognizable to you until your utility bill comes in and is higher than average.

• Checking for a leak:
  
  
  • Toilets - a dirty or bad flapper is the most common source of problems. To check for a flapper leak, add a few drops of food color in the tank and do not flush the toilet, wait about 15 minutes or more and if color is showing in the bowl, you've found a problem. In addition, check the level in the tank. After flushing, the water should shut off when the tank level is about 1/2 inch to 1 inch below the overflow. If the water does not shut off at this level, adjust the float in the toilet water tank.
  •  Water Softeners - sometimes softener regeneration schedules can get changed (whether due to a power outage or a service call). Also, after the softener has regenerated, check to see if water is still running down the drain. If so the softener may need to be repaired or replaced. Consider turning off and bypassing your softener. 
  • Faucets & Showerheads - dripping faucets and showerheads should be repaired or replaced.
  • Furnace Humidifier - make sure the humidifier float is shutting off the fill water at the manufacturer-recommended level. 

• • Toilets - a dirty or bad flapper is the most common source of problems. To check for a flapper leak, add a few drops of food color in the tank and do not flush the toilet, wait about 15 minutes or more and if color is showing in the bowl, you've found a problem. In addition, check the level in the tank. After flushing, the water should shut off when the tank level is about 1/2 inch to 1 inch below the overflow. If the water does not shut off at this level, adjust the float in the toilet water tank.
  •  Water Softeners - sometimes softener regeneration schedules can get changed (whether due to a power outage or a service call). Also, after the softener has regenerated, check to see if water is still running down the drain. If so the softener may need to be repaired or replaced. Consider turning off and bypassing your softener. 
  • Faucets & Showerheads - dripping faucets and showerheads should be repaired or replaced.
  • Furnace Humidifier - make sure the humidifier float is shutting off the fill water at the manufacturer-recommended level.

WATER SERVICE LINE RESPONSIBILITIES:
The CITY is responsible for the water main, the service line to the curb stop (shutoff), and the curb stop (shut-off valve). Only City of Gladwin employees and or their designees are allowed to operate any city-owned curb stop, anyone who operates without the city's authorization or not under the city's direction may be subject to fines and cost of repairs.
The city owns the meter and is responsible for the meter, wire, or radio box unless damages occur due to neglect of the homeowner (example: frozen meter, theft, or damage).

The HOMEOWNER or BUSINESS is responsible for the water service line/s from the curb stop (shutoff) all the way into the home or business as well as any plumbing before and after the meter. 
If a homeowner or business wants new service from the water main, they are responsible for the tap fee and any cross-connect fees if applicable and need to contact the DPW at (989) 426-6943. The homeowner or business will be charged for any damage to a meter, wire, or radio box that is determined to be a result of neglect (example: frozen meter, theft, or damage).

SEWER SERVICE LINE RESPONSIBILITIES:
The CITY is responsible for the Sewer Main.

The HOMEOWNER or BUSINESS is responsible for the sewer tap, sewer drains, drain systems, and sewer service lines from the sewer main all the way into the building, along with all drains and drain systems throughout and around the building. Only City of Gladwin employees and or their designees should open any city-owned manhole. This is city property and anyone that opens manholes may be subject to fines or costs of repairs.

THE EASIEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE A LEAK IS BY THE INDICATOR ON YOUR WATER METER:

1. First, make sure no water is being used inside or outside the house
2. Locate your water meter and look at the built-in leak detector. Depending on your meter, this could be an orange/red triangle or a faucet icon
3. If the leak detector (triangle) is moving or (the faucet icon) is on when no water is being used, this indicates that you have a leak somewhere

1. First, make sure no water is being used inside or outside the house
2. Locate your water meter and write down the numbers from the face of the meter
3. Don’t use any water for a few hours, then check the numbers on your meter again
4. If the numbers have increased, you have a leak

• Most likely at the time the bills were processed, there was a previous balance on your account
• Payment may have been posted after the bills were mailed
• If you have a question about your utility bill, call the Utility Billing Clerk @ (989) 426-9231 Ext. 10

A Special Sewer Calculation Rate automatically applies for applicable Residential accounts for use from May 16th to September 15th each year. The Special Sewer Calculation Rate is calculated from the average water consumption for October, November, and December of the previous year. Accounts that have no prior consumption history will calculate with a rate of 2,000 gallons until a rate for consumption can be established. The Special Sewer Calculation Rate is reflected on bills produced for July 1st, August 1st, September 1st, and October 1st.

• Yes. You can have your utility bill automatically deducted each month from your checking or savings account and there is no fee for this service. 
• All you need to do is complete the ACH Authorization Form and return it to the Utility Department @ 1000 W. Cedar Ave., Gladwin, MI 48624. If you are unable to print the form, contact the Utility Billing Clerk at (989) 426-9231 Ext. 10 or via email at water@gladwin.org to have one e-mailed or mailed to you. 

• Customers who do not pay their monthly utility bill are notified of the Previous Balance (PB) on their monthly bill. 
• If the account is two (2) months past due (or in some cases the equivalent), a shutoff notice is mailed to the account holder by postal mail.
• Service will be shut off if the previous balance is not paid in full or if a payment arrangement agreement is not made with the Utility Billing Clerk by the 10th of the following month.
• If service is shut off for non-payment, the entire bill including penalties and fees must be paid in full to have services turned back on.
• If you are planning to make a payment or need to set up payment arrangements, or if you are making a payment to avoid service disconnection, please notify the Utility Billing Clerk at (989) 426-9231 Ext. 10.

Yes, If the bill is not paid in full by the 20th of the month, a 5% penalty will be assessed.

• In Person (Cash, Check, Money Order, Credit/Debit Card) Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at 1000 W Cedar Ave., Gladwin Mi 48624

• By Mail (Check/Money Order) Mail to Gladwin City Hall 1000 W Cedar Ave., Gladwin MI 48624. Be sure to allow enough time for postal delivery. DO NOT send cash by mail. Include the payment stub with your check/money order payment. If you do not have the payment stub, please note the account number on the check/money order to ensure proper credit

• Drop Box (Check/Money Order) There are two drop boxes conveniently located at City Hall (one just east of the postal mailbox and another on the east side of the building entrance). DO NOT place cash in the drop boxes. Include the payment stub with your payment. If you do not have the payment stub, please note the account number on the check/money order to ensure proper credit

• Online (Credit/Debit Card, E-check) Please be aware there is a convenience fee for using this service. Click here to pay your bill online

• ACH / EFT (Auto-Pay) Free electronic funds transfer from your checking or savings account. The current balance will be automatically deducted from your account on the due date each month. Click here for the ACH Payment Authorization form