Utility Collections FAQs
It is the policy of the Utility Collection
Department to read all meters on a monthly basis. In
accordance with this, the bill you receive will be on a
monthly basis.
Because almost all of our meters are located
in meter boxes that are placed in the ground, dirt
accumulation is a constant problem. Weather, soil type,
leaves and ant beds all contribute to the situation. The
meter readers are accustomed to this and simply brush away
the dirt to reveal the meter dial, wipe it off and read
it. They also have specially designed reading tubes to read
through water. Each meter reader reads your meter with an
electronic reading device that does not reveal your previous
reading, therefore, they must read the meter. Guessing
will not work because the system only allows them three
entry attempts. They are used to dirt accumulation and it is
not a hindrance to them.
Call the Utility Collection Department if it
is during working hours ( 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ) at
633-0220. They will send a service person to cut off your
water so that you may repair the line.
Call the same number when your repairs are
finished and we will turn your water back on. Yes, it is
okay if the plumber turns it back on and most often they
do. But if you need us to come back out to turn your water
back on we’ll be happy to do so.
If the leak is discovered after-hours -
please call 634-8881 and the appropriate personnel will
contact our service department to come and cut off your
water. If the leak causes your bill to go up higher than
normal, come by our location at City Hall and we will
adjust your bill. The adjustment will not write-off the
entire additional amount but will lower the bill to a
manageable figure. Most residential accounts have sewer
averaging based on winter consumption so that a leak does
not affect the sewer portion of you bill.
The City of Lufkin has made a conscientious
effort to keep the cost of water and sewer low for our
customers. A review of area rates will show that we are as
low or lower than much of our surrounding
providers. We continuously conduct surveys of comparably
sized cities to assure our rates are within industry
standards. Further, we constantly look for ways to operate
that will in the most efficient way guarantee a reliable,
healthy and safe water supply.
Sewer averaging is a method of computing the
sewer portion of your bill so that watering in the summer
will not run your sewer bill up. We do this by using your
winter average to figure your sewer bill for the entire
year. If you are new to the utility and do not have a
winter average your sewer bill is figured from your
consumption but will stop computing at 20,000 gallons
usage. This feature is for residential customers only.
Commercial accounts have sewer bills based solely on
consumption.
You may come by City Hall located at 300 East
Shepherd to pay your bill. We are located at the south side
of the building. You may come in or use the drive-by
window. There is a night deposit receptacle for after-hours
payment located next to the drive-by window. Many customers
use the bank draft method of payment. We encourage you to
check with us about how to have your utility bill
automatically drafted from your bank account.
ABC stands for Angelina Beautiful Clean and
is your opportunity to make a $ 1.00 voluntary donation to
this organization to help in beautification and
environmental concerns. This is purely voluntary and is not
part of your billing balance. All donations go directly to
ABC and are tax deductible. We encourage you to participate
in this worthy program.
Yes, the City
of Lufkin adds fluoride to the cities water at a constant
concentration of 1 part per million gallons. It is added as
a deterrent to tooth decay.
The water for
your city is ground water produced by 10 area deep wells
placed in the Carrizo Wilcox aquifer. It is continually
tested and monitored for quality control. The Texas Natural
Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC) also performs
quality tests on a periodic basis.
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