City Utilities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often will I receive a bill?
We will mail you a bill each month for the previous month's service. You should receive your bill during the first week of each month. If you do not, please contact us. Current bills are due by the 20th of each month. In addition to charges for your water and/or sewer service, you will see an ambulance service fee and a charge for solid waste (garbage) pick-up if you live in the City of Sunnyside. The City contracts with Yakima Waste Systems for garbage pick-up services. If you have any questions regarding garbage pick-up, Yakima Waste's phone number is (800) 572-9738.
Where do I make utility payments?
Customers can pay their utility bills at the Finance Department located at 818 E. Edison Avenue in Sunnyside or by mailing it to the same location. We accept payment by cash, check, or money order. Also, for your convenience, there is a locked payment drop box located at the East corner of the City Hall building on 9th Street. When using the drop box, please remember to enclose your billing stub along with your payment, or include your name and the address that you are paying for, so that we know which account to credit.
What is the policy for turning water off for non-payment?
The City has a strict turn-off policy that is designed to protect responsible customers, like you, from being burdened with the costs of delinquent customers. You must pay your current bill in full by the 20th of each month. After the 20th, a "Delinquent Notice" will be mailed out letting customers know that their bill is past due. A $10.00 late charge is assessed on past due bills that are paid after the 20th. Past Due bills will need to be received no later than the 10th of the following month (during office hours) to avoid a customer's water service being shut-off. If a customer's water service is shut-off due to non-payment, they will need to pay the account in full.
How do I know if I have a water leak?
Each month, a city employee will use a hand-held reader to read your meter, which is used for billing your utility consumption. This ensures that you are billed accurately. If you have an unusually high water bill with a corresponding increase in water consumption, or have noticed water standing in your yard, you may have a water lead. Leaks can be hard to detect since they can come from inside or outside faucets dripping, a toilet running, outside service leak, etc.
Try this simple test: Read your water meter before you go to bed at night when all water is turned off. Take another reading the next morning before anyone in the house uses any or very little water. If the second reading is much higher, you may have a leak or faulty faucet or toilet running. Also, customers are responsible for their water service line that connects from their house to the meter. If you suspect that line to be leaking you should contact a plumber or repair the leak yourself as soon as possible. The sooner you fix the leak, the sooner the meter stops registering the extra flow of water, which translates into a lower bill. If you have any questions or believe you may have a leak, please call our office for assistance.
Do disabled or senior citizens get a discount on water and sewer rates?
Yes, the City currently offers a reduced base rate for service for qualifying low-income seniors or disabled residents. Contact the Customer Service office in the Finance department for information on how to apply.
What can I do to avoid service problems?
During cold weather, water pipes are prone to freezing. While that cannot always be avoided, here are a few suggestions to help prevent such a problem. Insulate pipes and faucets that are exposed to the cold weather. Find out where your main shut-off valve is located so that you can stop excessive water loss or flooding should a line break underneath your home. Also, if you must leave your house vacant for a period of time, you might consider turning off the main shut-off valve in the house. If you do and you have an electric water heater, make sure you turn off the power to it. Open all faucets and drain pipes. Flush the toilet once to empty the tank and then add a small amount of water in the bowl. You should leave your heat on a minimum setting and insulate exterior pipes and faucets.
During the summer it is important to pay attention to your water use. Try to water lawns and gardens between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. to avoid losing water to evaporation, and make sure sprinklers are soaking only your lawn, not the street, sidewalk or your driveway. Do not let a hose run unattended; otherwise you could waste several cubic feet of water in a very short time.
What is "Winter Sewer Averaging"?
Each year beginning with the November water meter reading and ending with the February reading, the City conducts what is called the "Winter Sewer Averaging Period". During this time, the bills for sewer discharge are based on the actual water meter consumption. At the end of the three months (November to February), a total is taken of the water meter consumption readings for these three months. Then the total is divided by three to get the average consumption per month. This average consumption number is used to calculate the flat rate sewer charge for the next nine months. The purpose of this averaging is to eliminate the period of time when customers are irrigating their yards, washing cars, etc. which avoids their sewer bill ballooning from higher water consumption which is not being discharged into the City sewer system.
Garbage Collection
What type of container is acceptable?
Tapered metal or plastic water tight containers with tight-fitting covers and handles with a capacity not to exceed thirty-five (35) gallons or fifty (50) pounds in weight when filled are deemed to be acceptable refuse containers in residential areas.
How often will my garbage by collected?
Collection is once each week. All curb and alley service customers must place the container at the curb or edge of the street or alley in front of or adjacent to the property being serviced not later than five a.m. on the day of collection.
Will they pick up yard debris?
Trimmings and limbs placed outside of a container may be collected if they do not exceed four feet and are bundled, tied and do not exceed forty (40) pounds. There is an extra charge of $2.00 per item.
Leaves and grass clippings shall be collected if they are placed in refuse containeres, boxes or plastic bags strong enough to hold the contents and not weighing more than forty (40) pounds. There may be an extra charge if these items exceed the number of containers the customer is entitled to have picked up.
What is "Solid Waste (garbage) Extra Fees"?
The City has included in their garbage rate ordinance an extra garbage fee charge. Customers are required to place their waste in no more than a 35-gallon container that has a limited weight of 50 pounds. Any excessive waste that is placed on top or along side of a waste container, like boxes, bags, etc. is determined to be an extra charge of $2.00 per item. If an individual is paying for a three can rate and places a fourth container out, there will be a $2.00 extra charge. Therefore, it is in the best interest for customers to sign up for adequate garbage container service to avoid the $2.00 extra per item charge. You can contact the City Finance Department who can provide you with our rate structure for additional can or waste container service, which on a monthly basis may save you money.
