Owensboro Municipal Utilities receives many questions from our customers. Listed below is a sampling of the most frequently asked questions about our services and various topics.

Will OMU work on the plumbing in my home?

No, OMU provides a water service line to your property and the water meter. All lines running from the meter to the home and all water pipes inside the home are the customer’s responsibility.

Will OMU repair a leak in an underground water line on my property?

All lines past the water meter are the homeowners and should be repaired by a plumber.

There’s been water in the street from a leak for several days. Am I paying for this water?

No, water leaking in the street is likely coming from an OMU distribution line and is not being charged to a customer’s bill. Please call us at (270) 926-3200 to report the leak.

There’s been water leaking in the street for several days. My neighbor called OMU about it, but they haven’t repaired it. Why not?

OMU water crews will frequently have many leaks to repair. Leak repairs are prioritized based on their severity. No customers are being billed for leaks in the street.

Why is my sewer bill higher than my water bill?

Sewer service is provided by the Regional Water Resource Agency, but is collected by OMU because it is based on your OMU water usage. While OMU charges $1.32 per 100 cubic feet (750 gallons) of water, RWRA’s rate is $2.6704 per 100 cubic feet. It is more costly to treat waste water than to treat OMU’s water.

My water bill increased substantially this month. What’s wrong?

Your water usage should be fairly constant year around. However, it might increase in the summer if you fill a swimming pool, water your lawn and/or wash cars frequently at your home. A sudden unexplained increase in water usage could be the result of a leak. Toilet leaks, in particular are common and hard to notice until you’ve already had a high water bill(s).

How do I detect a leak in my toilet tank?

Toilet leaks are normally caused by a problem with a bad flapper valve, the flapper valve seat, the ballcock valve, the float arm, the overflow tube, or a combination of these parts. The best way to determine if your tank is leaking is to use a dye test. Simply place a dye tablet or three drops of food coloring in your tank. If the color appears in your toilet bowl within a few minutes, you have a leak and should consult a licensed plumber.

How do I protect my water lines from feezing?

A few precautions can save you from not only the mess of a frozen pipe, but also the expense of repairs:

• If you have a history of freezing pipes or if your pipes run along or in outside walls, allow water to run in a small steady stream from both the hot and cold faucets.
• Disconnect outdoor garden hoses and drain outdoor faucets.
• Locate your main shut-off valve inside your house and label it.
• Wrap exposed pipes typically found under sinks, especially if pipes are located on outside walls.
• If your house has a crawl space, close all vents and access doors.
• Open cupboard or cabinet doors to allow indoor heat to warm pipes.
• If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time during cold spells, shut off your water service and open faucets to drain pipes.
• If you have an irrigation system, assure it has been properly winterized.