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	Before you dig, always call 811 from home or cell for underground line locations.
Services: Gas Water Sewer/Trash

WATER TROUBLE SPOT CHECKLIST

Water tank on commode:

	Seeping feed valve causing overflow
	Ball or flap valve not seating
	Dye strips are available in the office to assist you in check this area or a few drops of food coloring can be dropped in the tank of your commode. If the color seeps to the bowl, you have a faulting ball or flap. This should be replaced as soon as possible as a leak of this type will increase both water and sewer charges.

Water heater filling or leaking

Dripping faucets in tub, shower, lavatory, sink, outside hydrant leaking etc

Relief valve on water heater open or seeping

Outside faucet open or dripping

Washer or dishwasher feed valve open or seeping

Hose in yard turned on or leaking

Unknown lines in yard or to other outlets

Leaking pipes or fittings in house or in line between the meter and house

Water feed to heating boiler on humidifier

Swimming pool, fishpond, fountain etc.

Water to air conditioning cooling tower running or leaking

Water softener equipment

Any equipment connected to water lines

Service line to out building leaking

Most water meters have a red leak indicator hand. If you have a leak and cannot determine the location, turn your main house valve off and watch the leak indicator hand. If the hand stops turning, you may have a leak on the outlet side of that valve. If the hand continues to turn, you may have a leak between the meter and the main house valve. This will save you valuable time and money when attempting to locate a leak. You are responsible for any leaks that occur on the outlet side of the water meter.

At 40 pounds of pressure...

...100 drops per minute wastes 350 gallons/month
... A 1/32" diameter hole leaks 8.83 gallons/hour or 212 gallons/day
... A 1/4 " diameter hole leaks 565 gallons/hour or 13,652 gallons/day

Water Conservation Tips

Turn off water while you shave or brush your teeth

Fill bathtub half full if you take a bath

Take five-minute showers if you take showers

Install a low-flow shower head

Run a full load of dishes in the dishwasher

Run a full load of laundry if you do hot have adjustable water levels

Install low-flush toilets which use 3.5 gallons per flush or for pre-1980 toilets, which use 5-7 gallons per flush, fill two plastic, one-qt bottles with sand or rocks, cap and place in toilet tank (save 10 or more gallons/day)

20-50% of water used for outdoor landscape either evaporates or runs off.

Water lawns and gardens early in morning to reduce evaporation
Avoid over-watering
Water slowly
Use sprinklers that produce large drops
Use native plants which usually do not require as much water
Use compost and mulch which absorb water

NATURAL GAS CONSERVATION TIPS

Check your attic for proper insulation and possible gaps around air vents, ducts, plumbing stacks and chimneys that penetrate the attic. Good weather sealing in the attic is especially important.

Check all storm/exterior windows. Make sure all window are in place and caulking around windows and doors is in good condition where frames meet brick or siding.

Look for drafts and gaps in your basement and crawl space.

Arrange for chimney inspections to be completed by the fall.

Purchase a programmable thermostat that allows adjustment of temperature settings according to a pre-set schedule. The savings can be substantial, up to 10 percent with a nightly setback of 4 degrees.

Make sure that cozy fireplace isn't costly too. Close the damper when not in use. Be sure there is no trace of fire or smoke before closing, just to be on the safe side.

Never underestimate the power of a draft. A 1/4 inch gap at the bottom of an exterior door has the effective cooling power of a hole four inches square in the middle of a wall. A well-insulated, well-sealed home keeps cold air out, warm air in and controls moisture. Even a small investment in time and money can make your home more comfortable and make a significant difference in your heating bills.

Natural Gas Leaks

Whenever you smell natural gas in your home, outside area or in your community, you should call Carrollton Utilities 502-732-7055 during regular business hours Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
After hours, contact the Carrollton Police Department at 502-732-6621. Utility personnel will be dispatched immediately.

For your safety, we ask that you do the following before the serviceman arrives:

INSIDE LEAK: Prevent all sources of ignition including the use of matches, the operation of electrical switches and telephone, and to evacuate the structure to a safe distance.

OUTSIDE LEAK: Keep all sources of ignition including people and vehicle traffic away from the affected area and evacuate to a safe distance.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...

Q.	What is the "Late Fee" on my bill?
A.	This fee must be paid if you are paying your bill after the due date that is posted on the bill If you pay on or before the due date, you will not be charged this fee.

Q.	Does Carrollton Utilities light pilot lights?
A.	Pilot lights will only be lit upon the initial turn on visit. We do not return to your premise to re-light pilots that may have gone out.

Q.	What are your business hours?
A.	Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. After hours, contact the Carrollton Police Department at 502-732-6621 for emergencies only.

Q.	What is a unit of water as shown on my bill under "Used" ?
A.	The number represents 100's of gallons for water and 100's of cubic feet for natural gas.

Q.	When are the signups taken for Gas Budget Billing?
A.	Signups begin during the month of June and July. Deadline is August 1st. You must have 12 months of gas history to be eligible.


	Higher Natural Gas Prices FAQs
Q.	How does natural gas compare with other energies? Should I consider converting my appliances?
A.	The energy marketplace as a whole is undergoing changes that affect the pricing of all energy sources (electricity, propane and fuel oil). Weather conditions and our economy’s reliance on electricity has increased the demand for power; and as more and more electric generation plants turn to natural gas to effectively fuel production, the costs of electricity will increase as natural gas prices increase. Oil prices are also at record levels, as reflected at the gasoline pumps, and heating oil prices are expected to skyrocket this winter. Propane, as a by-product of natural gas, is also very costly now – up to (25-50%?) higher than natural gas. Natural gas is still the best energy value – typically one-third the cost of electricity. It is the cleanest and most efficient fossil fuel, and it’s safe and reliable. Natural gas is simply the best choice and most efficient choice for many applications, such as home heating, water heating and cooking.

Q.	Is this happening just in our area or in other areas of the country?
A.	Prices are going up nationwide. The drivers of increased demand for power generation and lower production are happening through the natural gas industry, which impacts consumers all over the country.

Q.	You’ve told me it’s about supply and demand, are we running out of natural gas?
A.	Experts say natural gas supplies are abundant, yet remain untapped due to environmental concerns and economics. Additional resources are being sought, including natural gas imports in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from around the globe, which are anticipated to grow in coming years. LNG imports can only help to a point, so passage of a comprehensive energy bill in Washington, which includes access to federal lands and waters for drilling, is a real long term solution. Exploration and production of natural gas is routinely done safely and without harm to the environment in even the harshest conditions around the world. We encourage you to let your congressman know that you support more domestic production of energy. We have seen what global reliance has done to our crude oil market in the U.S. and shouldn’t allow the same thing to happen to our natural gas market.

Q.	Does the price of gasoline have an impact on the price of natural gas?
A.	Not really. The two fuels are independent of one another. Gasoline is a refined product of crude oil, and thus directly related to the price of oil, while natural gas is produced directly from underground hydrocarbon deposits, like crude oil. Natural gas prices are dependent on the supply and demand for natural gas. In some instances, crude oil and natural gas are found in the same place and produced together. Fuel oil, like gasoline, is a refined product of crude oil and is also a substitute fuel for natural gas in some industrial facilities. In these cases, fuel oil competes with natural gas. Because oil prices are high, fuel oil does not offer much competition to natural gas and does not help to keep natural gas prices down.