• Fix leaky faucets, showerheads, and pipes throughout your home. A leak of one drop of water per second wastes more than 3,000 gallons of water per year.

• Don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving.

• Replace standard showerheads and faucets with low flow showerheads and faucet aerators. You should be able to read 2.0 gallons per minute or less printed on the side of your shower fixture and faucet aerator. If the numbers are higher, replace them with low flow fixtures from the Self Help store or the local hardware store.

• Make sure your toilet flapper doesn’t stick open after flushing. Drop your used facial tissue and dead bugs in the trash instead of flushing them down the toilet.

• Run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine.

• When doing laundry, if you can’t make a full load, match the water level to the size of the load.

• When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run in between rinses. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water. Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.

• Don’t use running water to thaw food.

• Sweep patios and driveways with a broom? Don’t use a hose to flush debris off the cement.

• Don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.

WOUD only provides services from the water meter to the road. Any issues from the meter to the private service line and inside the house are the customer’s responsibility. Here’s why: Once water passes through the meter on customer’s side, WOUD has no way of knowing whether usage is from regular consumption (laundry, filling a pool, watering/irrigation, dishwasher, etc.) or a leak.

Here are some ways to check for water leaks in and around your home:

• Make sure that all inside/outside faucets are turned off. WOUD recommends leaving outside hoses unhooked when not in use to prevent a burst in the hose or inside the spigot line – and to prevent particles from backing up into your indoor plumbing from the hose.
• Check underneath all sink cabinets for dampness or drips.
• Toilet leaks are not always seen and/or heard and one of the most common leaks we see. To check the toilets in your home, use this four-step process …
• • Take the lid off the back of all toilets (even those used not on a regular basis).
  • Drop 10 to 20 drops of red, green, or blue food coloring in the back of each tank. You may also use a dry drink mix (such as Kool-Aid) that is red, green, or blue (one packet per tank). Do not stir or flush.
  • Let the coloring sit for 20 minutes, with no stirring, flushing, or usage.
  • If the coloring appears in the toilet bowl, there is a leak. If this is the case, once the adjustment, part replacement, or repair is made, test the toilets using this method once again, to ensure that there are no more leaks.
  • Also check the level of the water in the tank and make sure the level is not close to the overflow tube, if it is it probably going over the overflow and will cause the toilet to run and use water and needs to be about 3/4″ to 1″ from the top of the overflow tube.        
• When the ground is dry, check your front yard for standing water, soft areas of ground, or areas that are extra green compared to other areas of the yard. This may indicate a leak in the service line (from the meter to the house).
• If you have a crawl space, check the plumbing underneath your house.
• If you have a concrete slab, and you have noticed abnormally warm areas in your flooring, there may be a leak in your hot water line.
• Once you have checked for a leak and made any needed repairs, you will need to visit your meter to see if it is moving . If water is in use or if there is a continued leak, you will notice that the red star on top of the meter dial is spinning. If there is a slow leak, there may not be any activity on the meter. The most accurate way to check your meter is the two-hour method.
  • If you don’t know where your meter is located, contact our office at (931)-498-4144 and we will be happy to assist you.
  • Pick a minimum of a two-hour period during which there is no water usage.
  • Make sure all inside/outside faucets are turned off, and turn your icemaker off.
  • Go to your meter and write down the reading or take a picture of the meter reading.
  • Check to see if your meter reading has changed. If so, there is still a leak because, with no usage, there is still flow going through your meter. At this point, you will need to check for leaks or contact a plumber.
  • If the meter reading has not changed, everything should check out correctly.

As water freezes, it expands and causes pressure on pipes and they can bust as an end result. Damage can occur not only in the pipes, but other areas of the home, too. This can be expensive to repair for homeowners, so taking precautions to prevent frozen water pipes is always a good step.

Here are some basic steps to help protect against frozen pipes:

• Close crawl spaces vents and also keep garage doors closed as well.
• Protect your outdoor faucets with covers or socks. These can usually be found at your local home improvement store and typically cost around $5.
• To give your water heater an extra layer of protection, consider buying a fiberglass blanket. This typically costs between $30 and $40.
• The thermostat is key when it comes to cold weather. Keep the temperature at 65° F at a minimum and if you are leaving for vacation then do not let it go below 55° F.
• In severe cold temperatures, let water drip from a faucet. Even small drops will help prevent frozen pipes.
• Another way to protect pipes is to wrap them in heating tape. The tape only needs to be around a ¼ inch, but it can aid in insulation. Newspaper can also work if the temperature is not an extreme case.
• For outdoor items such as water hoses, make sure they are unscrewed from water faucets. It is also good practice to check other areas around the house where water lines may be located. When it comes to swimming pools, water should be drained.

The most comprehensive solution is to add insulation to your attic and basement/crawl spaces. Be sure to seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, and sill plates where the house rests on its foundation. This not only helps prevent your pipes from freezing, but will also save on your utility bill.

Some additional tips to winterize your home include …

• Replace insulation that has been removed or damaged.
• Check for any damaged or removed drywall near water pipes.
• Check cabinets that may contain uninsulated plumbing.
• Identify and repair any water leaks on your roof.
• Do you know where your main water shutoff is located?

* Rental Water Activation

Deposit $200.00 + Service Charge $25.00 = $225.00

* Property Owner Water Activation

Deposit $100.00 + Service Charge $25.00 = $125.00

* Property Owner 3/4 inch New Water Line Tap

Tap Fee $1000.00 + System Improvement Fee $800.00 + Deposit $100.00 + Service Charge $25.00 = $1,925.00

* Rental Property 3/4 inch New Water Line Tap

Tap Fee $1000.00 + System Improvement Fee $800.00 + Deposit $200.00 + Service Charge $25.00 = $2,025.00

* Property Owner 3/4 inch New Water Meter Were Property Has Already Been Developed And Has Meter Box

System Improvement Fee $800.00 + Deposit $100.00 + Service Charge $25.00= $925.00

* Cut Lock Charge $100.00

* Disconnection Service Charge  $30.00

* Return Check and Bank Draft Charge $30.00

0 – 1,500 gallons—— $28.30 + tax

Next – 4,500 gallons— $9.82 per thousand + tax (1,500 – 6,000)

Next – 4,000 gallons— $10.39 per thousand + tax (6,000 – 10,000)

Over – 10,000 gallons- $10.98 per thousand + tax

When Paying in person

Please bring your entire bill with you.

For your convenience we accept

Visa, Master Card, Discover, Checks, Money Orders & Cash

When paying by check or money order please include your account number to insure proper credit.

Please mail payments to:

West Overton Utility District

P.O. Box 278

Rickman, TN 38580-0278

After hours Drop box

The drop box is located on the front left corner of the building for your convenience. –Payments– is written on the front of the box.

Automatic Bank Draft

Here’s how it works: you receive your bill in the mail around the 1^st of the month, so you will know the amount of the bill before the draft occurs, next, the on time amount will be deducted from your checking or savings acct on the 10^th of each month, or the next business day after the 10^th. NEVER ANY LATE CHARGES, NO STAMPS TO BUY, NO WATER PAYMENTS LOST IN THE MAIL, NO DISCONNECTION OF SERVICE DUE TO LOST PAYMENTS AND NO NEED TO DRIVE TO THE OFFICE.

Online Payments

Pay Your Bill over the web.

If you are looking to get a new service or just get a service in your name you will need to come in to the office and fill out a contract and put a deposit down.

We read the water Meters the 12th thru the 19th of every month.

Water Bills are sent out the last week of the month. Should get bill between the 1st and 3rd of the month.

Water Bills are Due On Time the 1st thru the 10th of the month.

Payments after the 10th will be charged a 10% late fee.

Bills received through the United States Postal Service (USPS) are considered on time when postmarked by the 10th of the month.

Bills postmarked after the 10th of the month are considered late and late charges are applied accordingly.

Bills received without a postmark are considered to have the same postmark as the majority of the mail it was received with and late charges are applied accordingly.

Bills received in the night deposit are considered on time until the office opens at 8:00AM the next business day following the 10th day of the month.

Bills are also considered on time when received in the office or drop box until 4:00PM the next business day when the 10th falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday that the utility was closed.

Water Bills not paid by the 15th of the month will be locked for non- payment and a $30 charge will be added to the bill, once locked the total bill will have to be paid before it is turned back on.

Standard Specs

When signing up for service you agree to these terms and conditions in the application.   

1…The obligations of this contract shall be binding upon the executors, administrators and estate of the original parties, provided that no application, service agreement or service contract may be assigned or transferred without the written consent of the UTILITY.

2…It is agreed that if CUSTOMER sells, subdivides or leases the property herein described, CUSTOMER will notify the UTILITY in order that it may execute a new contract with the successor CUSTOMER.

3…It is understood and agreed that every condition of this contract is of the essence of the contract, and if breached, the UTILITY may cut off one or all of its services to the service address and may not be reconnected except by order of the UTILITY, after the payment of all rates and charges have been made by the CUSTOMER.

4…Services provided by the UTILITY shall be supplied only to the applicant at the address named in this contract. CUSTOMER shall not connect any other dwelling or property to his service.

5…The meter and related appurtenances serving the CUSTOMER’S service address shall remain the property of the UTILITY.

6…The UTILITY or its agents reserve the right to make inspections of the service installation within the CUSTOMER’S premises upon reasonable notice and at reasonable time. The UTILITY assumes no liability for the operation or maintenance of the CUSTOMER’S plumbing.

7…The CUSTOMER agrees to keep the property at the service address accessible and free from impediments to UTILITY access, maintenance and meter reading. Upon notification from the UTILITY, the CUSTOMER agrees to remove any impediments to UTILITY access. If such impediments are not removed within such reasonable time as requested by the UTILITY, service will be disconnected. Service shall be reinstated after any impediments are removed and all bills, reconnection fees and other such fees are paid by the CUSTOMER.

8…The UTILITY shall have the right to restrict, control or discontinue service at any time during emergencies or repairs. The UTILITY shall not be liable for failure to furnish service for any reason beyond its control or for any loss, injury or damage to persons, plumbing or property resulting from such service curtailment or discontinuance.

9…The UTILITY makes no guarantees, expressed or implied, as to service quality, quantity, pressure, consistency or continuity.

10…The UTILITY shall, at its discretion, specify how and what uses may be made of service provided to CUSTOMER. If the CUSTOMER fails to comply with the specified uses, service shall be discontinued.

11…All pressure regulators, valves, service lines and other devices located on the CUSTOMER’S side of the meter are the responsibility of the CUSTOMER. No pump may be installed on potable water lines without the written permission of the UTILITY.

12…CUSTOMER agrees not to allow any cross-connection between UTILITY service and a private well or any other connection, either inside or outside of any building, in such manner that a flow of water from such connection may potentially be introduced into UTILITY service lines.

13…All requests for disconnection of service should be made either in writing or in person if possible. The UTILITY will accept telephone requests for discontinuance if caller can give adequate identification. The UTILITY will make every effort to respond within a reasonable time.

14…If the applicant fails to connect to the system when service is available and a tap is made; the CUSTOMER will pay the minimum bill until such time as the CUSTOMER installs his service or until such time as CUSTOMER notifies the UTILITY that he no longer wishes service.

15…The CUSTOMER shall be responsible for installing and maintaining a pressure regulator device.

16…If the UTILITY discontinues service for non-payment or any other reason and the service is turned on without authority of the UTILITY; the UTILITY shall charge a reconnection fee and penalty charge according to its Rates and Fees Schedule.

17…The CUSTOMER agrees that in the event any utility property is damaged, destroyed or tampered with by the fault of the CUSTOMER, it shall be repaired or replaced at the CUSTOMER’S expense.

18…The UTILITY shall have the right to estimate or prorate any bill when conditions beyond the control of UTILITY prevent the normal billing procedure.

19…If the CUSTOMER after signing this CONTRACT does not take the service for any reason, the CUSTOMER shall reimburse the UTILITY for any expenses incurred.

20…The receipt by the UTILITY of the application for service of the prospective CUSTOMER, regardless of whether or not accompanied by payment of fees, shall not obligate the UTILITY to render such service. If the service cannot be supplied in accordance with the UTILITY’S policies, rules, regulations and general practice or those of any state or federal agency with oversight regarding service, the liability of the UTILITY to the applicant for such service shall be limited to the return of any fees, less any project development costs as incurred by the UTILITIY