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Frequently Asked Questions

When are the utility bills due?

  • Utility bills are due on the 25th of every month, for the previous month's usage.

My water is shut off, why am I still being charged?

  • Every customer who receives water and sewer service receives a base bill; this base is due monthly even if your water is turned off. This bill helps maintain the water and sewer lines, along with fire flow, storage and loan payments throughout the city.

Can I pay online?

What does the Stormwater charge pay for?

  • Stormwater rates and charges are necessary in order to promote the public health, safety and welfare by minimizing uncontrolled surface and stormwater erosion and water pollution to preserve and utilize the many values of the City's natural drainage system including water quality, open space, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, education, urban separation and drainage facilities and to provide for the comprehensive management and administration of surface and stormwater. The City is required under our stormwater permit from the Department of Ecology to reduce these impacts by educating our citizens and directing them to better management practice, tightening the requirements for proper erosion and sediment control on construction sites, policing illegal discharges into the storm system or natural water systems and improving City maintenance activities in the interest of protecting stormwater and providing lower impact development standards for the future. Most of the funds are used to maintain the City owned stormwater systems that provide drainage for the city streets. The city maintains 572 catch basins, over nine miles of storm drainage pipes and culverts, nine storm ponds and approximately 15 infiltration facilities. The city maintenance crew is typically busy during heavy rain events keeping the inlets and outlets of the storm system free of debris to prevent street and property damage. Other maintenance activities are ditch maintenance, storm pond maintenance, catch basin cleaning and street sweeping.

What is the King County Sewer (Metro) charge?

  • King County charges each agency a monthly amount for providing wastewater treatment.  That amount is based on King County's monthly sewer rate, and the number of customers served by the local agency.  In turn, the local agencies pass along those charges to the residences, businesses, and industries in their wastewater collection system.

Is there a low-income utility discount program?

  • Yes, the City of Black Diamond offers a Lifeline Utility Discount for residential low-income senior citizens, and residential low-income disabled citizens. The Lifeline Utility Discount is a reduced rate of up to fifty percent of the city's share of the costs for services provided under the city's water, sewer and stormwater utilities.  To see if you qualify please visit the Lifeline Utility Discount page or contact City Hall at (360) 851-4500.

I have sold my house, how do I close my utility billing account?

  • Contact City Hall (360) 851-4500 and a city representitive will help you close your utility account.

I am a tenant that has moved out who is responsible for the bill and how do I get ownership changed?

  • The City of Black Diamond does not pro-rate. The person living in the home for the start of that billing month (whole or partial) is responsible for that bill. Once the payment has been made, the account will be closed. The tenant will need to verify with the City and the owner/landlord that the account will be transferred. If you have moved you will need to call City Hall and provide them your forwarding address to mail the current bill.

I have a water emergency after business hours, who do I call?

  • You can call (360) 851-4517 to reach an on-call Public Works utility worker regarding your water emergency.

I live in Black Diamond part-time, can I request to have my water turned off during the months I am gone?

  • Yes. Should it be desired to have the water service turned on or off at an existing city meter during normal weekday working hours, a written order or telephone request by the owner or his authorized agent must be given to the water department after which the water will be turned on or off by the water department at no charge. UNLAWFUL WATER TURN OFF/ON: Should the water be turned on or off by anyone except the proper officer or employee of the City, after it has been turned on or off at the city's curb cock or other designated location, the service will be discontinued and shall not be turned on again except upon payment of the fee ($1,000) set forth in the city's adopted fee schedule.

I have a water leak that needs to be repaired can I request to have my water turned off?

  • Yes. Should it be desired to have the water service turned on or off at an existing city meter during normal weekday working hours, a written order or telephone request by the owner or his authorized agent must be given to the water department after which the water will be turned on or off by the water department at no charge. If an emergency request to turn on or off a water service is made on a weekend, holiday or after normal working hours, a fee shall be collected at the time of request in an amount as set forth in the city's adopted fee schedule. UNLAWFUL WATER TURN OFF/ON: Should the water be turned on or off by anyone except the proper officer or employee of the City, after it has been turned on or off at the city's curb cock or other designated location, the service will be discontinued and shall not be turned on again except upon payment of the fee ($1,000) set forth in the city's adopted fee schedule.