City of Walla Walla
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Billing & Collection
For new homeowners, the title company should send paperwork to automatically transfer ownership information for the water/sanitation into the name of the new owner. However, this should always be verified within a few days of signing closing papers. Please contact Customer Service at 509.527.4423 to ensure transfer details have been received.
For new renters, the property owner must sign an Owner/Tenant agreement each time a new renter takes occupancy in order to have the water/sanitation utility bill to be in the renter’s name.
I don’t have the money to pay, but I really need water. What happens if I just turn the water meter back on myself?
A $50 fine will be added to your account and the water meter will be locked. It is illegal to turn a water meter back on when it was shut off for nonpayment.
I saw the delinquent notice message on my bill, but I don’t have money right now. What are my options?
Several payment options are available, including VISA and Mastercard. The back of your bill also lists local organizations who may be able to offer financial assistance.
If I put my payment in the drop box Tuesday night or if I pay Wednesday morning will my services be disconnected?
If the field crew is dispatched to the service location before the utility billing department processes the payment on shut-off day, then the utility service may be stopped and a fee incurred.
Your next bill will show an amount under PREVIOUS BALANCE in the Account Summary. If payment is not received in full 40 days from the original billing date, then services will be stopped until the bill is paid in full.
Once utility services have been disconnected, past due charges and related collection fees must be paid in full to start services again. If you’ve made payment during business hours and service has not resumed within 3 hours of payment, please call 509.527.4423 to determine when your service will be restarted.
The bill is due upon receipt (and is delinquent 25 days after the bill date).
If the field crew is dispatched to the service location before the utility billing department processes the payment on shut-off day, then the utility service may be stopped and a fee incurred.
Landfill
- March 1 - October 31 - Monday through Saturday – 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- November 1 - February 28 - Monday through Saturday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
You can drop off electronics (including computer towers, monitors, cables, laptops, and televisions) for free at the following disposal locations:
- CEP Recycle – N. 11th Ave. - 509.200.1100
- Goodwill Industries – 1017 NE C St., College Place – 509.525.5992
- Lillie Rice – 2616 E. Isaacs Ave. – 509.525.5433 Ext. 109
- Walla Walla Recycling – North 13th Avenue and Elm Street – 509.525.1482
Fluorescent bulbs (compact fluorescent lights/CFL’s) and linear tubes are accepted free of charge at the Household Hazardous Waste facility located at the Sudbury Road Landfill. Effective January 1, 2013, it is illegal under Washington state law to dispose of mercury-containing lights in the garbage. For more information, please visit the Department of Ecology website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/mercurylights/.
Please dispose of glass in your regular garbage container. Effective July 27, 2012, the City suspended the glass collection/recycling program. Walla Walla Recycling also stopped accepting glass as of June 1, 2012.
Sharps generated by households can be disposed of at the Household Hazardous Waste facility at the Sudbury Road Landfill. Sharps must be placed in labeled, sealed, and puncture-resistant containers; an old bleach bottle or laundry detergent bottle works well for this. Sharps generated by care-facilities should be treated as medical waste and handled according to the facility’s disposal plan. Commercial medical waste pickup and disposal service is available from the Sanitation Division.
The Landfill is located approximately 3.5 miles west of Walla Walla at 414 Landfill Road. Going west on Highway 12, turn right (North) on Sudbury Road, then right on Landfill Road (heading East).
Recycling
The City contracts with Basin Disposal, Inc. who provides bi-weekly curbside service using side-loader trucks. The trucks deposit the comingled recyclables at Walla Walla Recycling, where it is bundled for transport (“baled”). From there, trucks take the recyclables to a material recovery facility (MRF) in Tacoma, where it is sorted by machine and by hand. The sorted material is then shipped overseas or to domestic mills, where it is turned into raw material for manufacturing.
The simple answer is that you, as a ratepayer, may end up paying more for the service. The more contaminated that recyclable material is, the less manufacturers will pay for it, and the less the City of Walla Walla receives for the materials. Depending on the market, the benefits or costs are passed on to you, the customer. Contamination could include nonrecyclable items, items soiled with food, wet items, yard debris, or medical waste. It’s much easier to reduce contamination by keeping it out of curbside containers. When in doubt, throw it out.
Drastic changes in the recycling commodities world market began in 2017 when the revenue the City used to receive from the processing and sale of commodities ceased and it became an expense. Since September 2017, the City’s recyclables processing cost/ton rose from $51 to as high as $168. We are hopeful that recycling will return to a revenue generator as the world market recovers and improves.
Put only acceptable items in your recycling container to keep the value of the commodities as high as possible.
Contact Basin Disposal, Inc. directly at 509.547.2476. Commercial accounts include businesses and multi-facility complexes of more than 10 units. Business and multi-family units can also self-haul material for free drop-off at Walla Walla Recycling, 509.525.1482.
About 150-200 tons each month.
Acceptable items
Paper
- Newspaper including ads and inserts
- Corrugated cardboard
- Cereal, cracker and shoe boxes (Non-freezer Chipboard)
- Office paper and file folders
- Magazines, catalogs, phone and paperback books
Metal
- Household (tin and aluminum) cans
Plastics — #1, #2, and #5 — remove lids as they can't be recycled
- Bottles (8 ounces and larger)
- Jugs (milk, laundry, etc.)
- Tubs (dairy, coffee; no clear tubs)
- Buckets, and flower pots with ridges (no lids, no handles)
You can drop off electronics (including computer towers, monitors, cables, laptops, and televisions) for free at the following disposal locations:
- CEP Recycle – N. 11th Ave. - 509.200.1100
- Goodwill Industries – 1017 NE C St., College Place – 509.525.5992
- Lillie Rice – 2616 E. Isaacs Ave. – 509.525.5433 Ext. 109
- Walla Walla Recycling – North 13th Avenue and Elm Street – 509.525.1482
The City of Walla Walla contracts with Basin Disposal, Inc. to service recycling containers. For service questions, call Basin Disposal, Inc. (BDI) at 509.547.2476; for billing questions, contact the City at 527.4479, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Washington's state code stipulates that recyclables must be collected from single-family and multi-family residences, unless the Department of Ecology approves an alternate program. In April 1996, the City surveyed utility customers regarding their preference for curbside recycling as a mandatory service or a subscription service. The majority results were for mandatory service. The City Council subsequently adopted Municipal Code Section 8.20.030 requiring all residents use the City’s recyclable materials and collection system to create the most equitable program possible.
Solid Waste
- Container must be at curb by 7 a.m.
- Container must be at least 3 feet from obstacles including other containers.
- Container must be placed with the lid opening toward street.
- Do not overfill; lid must close.
- Do not place additional items on the ground beside your container.
- Do not wedge branches in the container or it may not empty properly.
- No plastics, landscape fabric, or other garbage.
- No dirt, rock, or sod.
- No pet waste.
- No food waste.
- No diseased plants or vegetation.
- No branches larger than 4 inches in diameter and/or 3 feet in length.
- March 1 - October 31 - Monday through Saturday – 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- November 1 - February 28 - Monday through Saturday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Container must be at curb by 7:00 a.m.
- Container must be at least 3 feet from obstacles such as cars, utility poles, and other containers
- Do not place containers directly under low-hanging items such as branches, utility lines, or basketball hoop stands.
- Container must be placed with the lid opening toward street
- Do not place additional items on the ground beside your container
- Do not wedge items in the container or it may not empty properly
- Overfilled container will be charged an additional fee if lid is open more than 45 degrees or container is too heavy
- Bag small, loose items (such as Styrofoam peanuts) to keep material from blowing away when can is emptied
- Do not place household hazardous waste (HHW) items in your container; take to Sudbury
- Landfill Household Hazardous Waste Facility for FREE disposal; available to residents of Walla Walla County only, no business waste accepted
- Customers unable to take their container to the curb can sign up for carry-out service for an additional charge. Contact us for details.
All residential customers whose services falls on a holiday will be serviced the next working day. This includes garbage, recycling, and green waste services.
Fluorescent bulbs (compact fluorescent lights/CFL’s) and linear tubes are accepted free of charge at the Household Hazardous Waste facility located at the Sudbury Road Landfill. Effective January 1, 2013, it is illegal under Washington state law to dispose of mercury-containing lights in the garbage. For more information, please visit the Department of Ecology website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/mercurylights/.
Please dispose of glass in your regular garbage container. Effective July 27, 2012, the City suspended the glass collection/recycling program. Walla Walla Recycling also stopped accepting glass as of June 1, 2012.
Sharps generated by households can be disposed of at the Household Hazardous Waste facility at the Sudbury Road Landfill. Sharps must be placed in labeled, sealed, and puncture-resistant containers; an old bleach bottle or laundry detergent bottle works well for this. Sharps generated by care-facilities should be treated as medical waste and handled according to the facility’s disposal plan. Commercial medical waste pickup and disposal service is available from the Sanitation Division.
The Landfill is located approximately 3.5 miles west of Walla Walla at 414 Landfill Road. Going west on Highway 12, turn right (North) on Sudbury Road, then right on Landfill Road (heading East).
Stormwater
Residential single family homes, duplexes and triplexes are charged a flat fee per unit per month. Non-residential properties are charged based on the amount of impervious surface (hard surfaces such as rooftops, driveways, parking lots, gravel parking and storage areas and any other areas where natural vegetation has been disturbed for parking, driving or storage) on the parcel. Impervious surface is calculated by either on-site measurement or by using the City’s most recent GIS orthophotography for every parcel located within the city limits.
Monthly stormwater fees are based on an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) measurement. Parcels with drainage characteristics of a single-family residential property receive a flat rate of 1 ERU. The average single-family residential parcel in Walla Walla is assumed to be 3,000 square feet of impervious surface. Therefore, the definition of 1 ERU is the amount of impervious surface equal to 3,000 square feet.
Monthly stormwater fees for non-residential parcels that are occupied by businesses, industries, farms, apartment buildings, mobile home parks and other non-residential land uses are calculated based on the amount of impervious surface that exists on each parcel. For example, if a commercial business on a parcel has 12,000 square feet of impervious surface area, the monthly charge will be based on 12,000 square feet divided by 3,000 square feet/ERU which equals 4 ERUs.
The City of Walla Walla is subject to a myriad of federal and state surface water, groundwater, water quality and habitat related requirements, such as:
- National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit, as required by the Clean Water Act (CWA);
- Underground Injection Control (UIC) Rule, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA); and
- Endangered Species Act (ESA) and associated Salmon Recovery Plan and Sub-basin Plan for Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) #32.
The NPDES Phase II Permit outlines stormwater program activities and implementation milestones that permittees must follow to comply with the federal CWA.
The Phase II Permit is broken down into six components, and the implementation and enforcement of the six components is collectively referred to as a municipality’s Stormwater Management Plan. The revenue collected from monthly Stormwater fees is used by the City to pay for the costs that the City incurs to maintain and operate its municipal stormwater system and stay in compliance with the Phase II Permit. Activities that Stormwater fees are used for include water quality protection and clean-up activities, educational activities, storm drainage construction and maintenance activities and the implementation of a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP).
The SWMP is designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from municipalities to the maximum extent practicable to satisfy the state requirement to apply “All Known, Available and Reasonable methods of prevention, control and Treatment” prior to discharge, and to protect water quality in our creeks and rivers. The Phase II Permit requires that specific activities from each category above be completed each year in order to achieve full permit compliance.
To this effect, in 2001, a stormwater fee was placed on all properties within the city of Walla Walla. Stormwater management in the unincorporated areas is the responsibility of Walla Walla County.
The City’s stormwater program helps address flooding and pollution of surface and ground water sources. Many of the current programs are mandated by Federal and State regulations. The City is currently required to comply with the requirements of a State of Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) permit. Information on this permit can be found at this DOE web page.
Continuing programs that are required to maintain the stormwater infrastructure and to stay in compliance with the requirements of the Department of Ecology permit necessitates a dedicated revenue source that does not compete with other City services such as Police and Fire.
The primary purpose of the stormwater utility is to fund activities required by the DOE National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit such as:
- Implementing a program for public education and outreach – distributing educational materials to the community about the impacts of stormwater and what they can do to help.
- Implementing a program for public involvement and participation – allow for the public to have input on the stormwater management program.
- Develop a program for detecting and eliminating illicit discharges – includes planning, inspection, and enforcement actions.
- Developing runoff controls for new construction sites.
- Developing runoff controls for new development – ongoing programs to ensure that controls that minimize water quality impacts are in place.
- Pollution prevention and good housekeeping programs for municipal operations – train staff and implement measures that minimize pollutant runoff from municipal operations.
- Record keeping and reporting – The DOE permit requires the City to keep records of our stormwater management activities, and prepare and submit a regular annual report.
- Pay for the DOE permit fee.
- Pay for regular maintenance such as street sweeping, cleaning catch basins, and jetting pipes.
- Fund stormwater capital projects such as culvert replacements, and water quality improvements.
Streets
Call the Street Division office at 509.527.4363. To report an issue after hours, please call the nonemergency dispatch at 509.527.1960.
Call the Street Division office at 509.527.4363. To report an issue after hours, please call the nonemergency dispatch at 509.527.1960.
Call the Street Division office at 509.527.4363 or email pwinfo@wallawallawa.gov.
Call the Street Division office at 509.527.4363. To report an issue after hours, please call the nonemergency dispatch at 509,527.1960.
- Fill out a Service Request form to report a sidewalk hazard. A barrier may include an impassable sidewalk, ramp, broken, inoperable, or substandard accessible facility on City streets.
Get the address of where the light is located, each pole has an identification tag – reporting this tag number is helpful, then call the Street Division office at 509.527.4363.
Call the Street Division office at 509.527.4363 and let us know the exact location and direction of travel. To report an issue after hours, please call the nonemergency dispatch at 509.527.1960.
Call the Street Division office at 509.527.4363. To report an issue after hours, please call the nonemergency dispatch at 509.527.1960.
Our leaf collection map is updated daily during leaf season. You can follow our progress by visiting our Leaf Collection page or calling the Street Division office at 509.527.4363.
Visit our Snow and Ice Control page for snow plowing information.
Snow removal from the sidewalks along your home or business is the responsibility of the abutting property owner. The best time to shovel snow is immediately after it falls and before ice begins to form. The Street Division maintains a list of volunteers to assist the elderly or disabled with snow removal. Click the button below to see the current list.
Wastewater
No. Area dumping facilities include:
- Lyons Park, Larch Street and S.E. 12th Street, College Place, Washington
- Cenex Convenience Store, 706 W. Rose Street, Walla Walla, Washington
- 76 Station, 9th Avenue & W. Rose Street, Walla Walla Washington
No, the plant staff can direct you to a commercial laboratory.
Tours are available by appointment only; call 509.527.4509 to schedule.
All career opportunities are listed at Jacobs.
Visit the State of Washington Department of Ecology for information.
- For sewer service problems call 509.527.4363, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- For after hours emergencies, call 509.527.1960.
- For billing questions, call 509.527.4423.
Septic tank issues are directed to the County Health Department, Kevin Tureman, Director of Environmental Health, 509.524.2650.
Baker Commodities, Grandview, WA - 509.882.2123
Contact the Engineering Division at 509.527.4537.
Contact Jacobs IPP Coordinator at 509.527.4509.
Contact a septic hauler of your choice. They are listed in the yellow pages.
Water
- There is no way of opting out other than having your water service removed. The only difference between the old system and the new system is the way the meters are read. The old system required a meter reader to visit your property every month, and the new system reads the meters wirelessly.
The City does not fluoridate the water, although there can be trace amounts of fluoride in the water due to natural erosion as water travels through the ground water aquifer.
The City Finance Division receives all utility bill payments including the water bill. They are located in City Hall at 15 North Third Avenue. You may also pay your bill online.
- In the past, the meter readers had to visit 11,000 homes and business to get readings each month. Smart meters have eliminated overcharging or undercharging customers during winter months. This occurred when snow prevented meter readers from physically accessing meters. This necessitated estimates. Estimates resulted in overcharges or undercharges for customers. When the meter readers could access the meters, these estimates were reconciled with refunds or additional charges the following billing period. The smart meters have functioned perfectly in all weather, even during power failures, resulting in $0 in overcharges. The system also detects water leaks quickly. We have seen water loss due to leaks reduced by 75%. Since we no longer use meter readers, vehicles no longer drive through all city streets each month, reducing the City's carbon footprint.
- The system works via wireless signals sent from a small radio unit inside the meter. The radio unit sends readings to a regional data collector unit. Six times a day, each unit sends a 56-millisecond usage report to one of two base stations located at the north and south ends of the city. These base stations collect all of the data then transmit it to a secure, web-based server.
Walla Walla’s water meets and exceeds all drinking water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington State Department of Health.
How will the City's ability to provide water from the Mill Creek Watershed be impacted if it should become unavoidable that fire retardant is used within the Watershed?
If the USFS determines it is necessary that fire retardant be applied within the Mill Creek Watershed, an avoidance zone of 300' on either side of Mill Creek will be maintained. If determined necessary, the city can switch to groundwater as a precautionary measure whenever the use of fire retardant is anticipated. Fire retardant contains nitrogen which spurs algae growth if it enters a water body.
The different colored paint markings on your street or on your property represent underground utilities. A locate must be called in by law before all excavations deeper than one foot. A box painted in white stripes will indicate where the excavation is to take place. To learn more about Dig Safe Washington, visit the Dig Safe Washington website.
13.04.450 Meter assemblies ' Ownership and installation. The City will install all the necessary meter assemblies for measuring the water service used by the customer. However, the meter assemblies, even though the meter charge has been paid by the customer, will remain the property of the City. (Ord. 99-4 ' 8, 1999: Ord. A-3639 ' 1(part), 1990).
13.04.550 Meters ' Access for agents to install, read or repair authorized when. The City or its duly authorized agents or employees shall have the right to install meters on the customer's premises and shall at all reasonable times have the right to enter or leave the customer's premises for the purpose of installing, reading, repairing, testing, maintaining or reinstalling the meter and its related appurtenances. (Ord. A-3639 ' 1(part), 1990).
- We recycled the old mechanical meters we replaced. Water meters and radio units are the property of the City of Walla Walla, and the City's Water Division performs the required maintenance on these units.
- The meter can digitally detect reverse flow and continuous flow (water leaks). It contains a battery-powered transmitter that is mounted through the meter box lid.
If a fire should occur in the Mill Creek Watershed, water from the creek will continue to be used until it no longer can be treated to meet Federal and State Drinking Water Standards. Should a fire impact water quality in Mill Creek, the City can provide 100% of the city's needs with well water. The deep basalt aquifer from where the water is pumped has sufficient supply to meet the City of Walla Walla's demand for 10 years or longer when supplemented by the City's Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Program. The ASR program stores water in the aquifer with treated Mill Creek water that meets Federal and State Drinking Water Quality Standards.
- Installation of water meters and MTU's (radios) began early 2017 and was completed in 2018.
- Call the City of Walla Walla Public Works Water Division at 509.527.4380 with questions or feedback.
Please contact the Finance Division at 509.527.4423 for your Temporary Hydrant Meter needs.
90% of our water is surface water from Mill Creek, the remainder is ground water taken from seven deep basalt wells.
It is not unusual for the screen on your faucet to plug up. Remove the screen from the end of the faucet, clean any scale or debris which have accumulated, and reinstall. This may take care of the problem, but if not, you may have a separate plumbing issue. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Water Division at 509.527.4380.
- Your new smart water meter will read water use in gallons instead of cubic feet.
This can be a result of air in the line, seasonal flushing of fire hydrants or the spring to summer flow changes which can, due to increased flow velocities, stir up the water within the distribution piping. Generally it is temporary and can be remedied by running your water for a short time until it clears up. If possible, run the water outdoors on your lawn as opposed to running it to the drain.
Water pressure in Walla Walla is controlled throughout four separate pressure zones; the pressure at each residence in that zone can vary depending upon your location. Depending upon your location and the fact that as water is heated it creates additional pressure which can cause the PRV to drip. Unfortunately we cannot lower each residence’s water pressure separately, but you can control the dripping by installing a small expansion tank ahead of your hot water heater which should solve the problem. If you already have an expansion tank and it is dripping, the tank may have failed and will need to be replaced. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Water Division at 509.527.4380.
The addition of chlorine is required by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health for water systems such as Walla Walla’s which uses surface water as their water source. Chlorine is added to the water to maintain continued disinfection throughout the distribution and service piping that carries water to your home in order to assure that your water is safe to drink.
The following reasons may be why you currently do not have any water.
- The Water Division shuts off water service for non-payment typically on Wednesdays. Contact the Finance Division at 509.527.4423 if you believe this might be the case.
- Water may be shut off due to an emergency or water main break. Contact the Water Distribution Division office at 509.527.4380 to learn more.
- Plumber, landlord or family member shut off water to perform plumbing repairs.
- The old, mechanical water meters that we replaced had a frost plate designed to break in order to protect the internal parts. In reality, the internal parts were still damaged about half of the time. The smart meters have no frost plate or internal parts. They handle being frozen much better than the old meters. Most of the time, they are thawed out and continue running as normal.
- The new meters will not negatively affect health or privacy. The wireless portions of the system use one-quarter of the power of a cell phone. Exposure to radio waves from smart meters is miniscule compared to cell phones ' transmission time for each unit totals 0.336 seconds per day. The technology provides more privacy, because meter readers do not need to go on your property to take readings. Data protection methods meet or exceeds all state and federal standards.