Sewer/Water/Refuse

Services Provided:  Water, Sewer & Refuse

These services are billed monthly by the City on one bill. Residents should receive their bill on the 1st of each month. Payment is due by the 21st of the month. If the 21st falls on Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, payment may be made to the City on the next work day without penalty being assessed.  If you have a question about your utility bill, please call 218.759.3564 or [e-mail]. 

2021 Water/Sewer Rate Increase
In late 2020, the City hired a consultant to analyze city water/sewer rates in anticipation of the new water treatment plant construction as well as significant Waste Water Treatment plant improvements in the near future. The goal of the study was to insure the City had adequate rates to pay for operational and capital needs of the utility system. Based on consultant recommendations, the City adjusted rate amounts and structure to meet its financial needs. Sewer only customer rates were adjusted the most to reflect average monthly residential water use.

 Payment Methods

  • On-line OR By Phone
  • ACH payment--Automatic Bank Withdrawal
  • By Mail
  • Payment Drop Box (located on the front of City Hall)
  • In Person:  at the front desk in City Hall by cash, check, Master Card, Discover or Visa from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Water

Annually, as required by State Law, the City produces a Water Confidence Report.  

Water meters are read EACH month.  Each residential and commercial customer is billed a monthly flat charge along with flow usage charge for each 1,000 gallons of water used.  A customer, at their expense, may install a second meter to measure water usage for irrigation purposes only. This is the only way sewer charges can be eliminated from your bill.

The City does allow homeowners to install a separate meter for sprinkling the lawn or garden.  This provides a method to bill only for water used for that purpose.  Please check with a plumber regarding installation.   

Sewer 

Each residential and commercial customer is billed a monthly flat charge along with flow usage charge.  For those households on Sewer Service Only (not on water), a flat fee per month is charged (regardless of the number of people at the residence). 

Refuse

The City of Bemidji provides hauling for residential homes only. Call 218.759.3592 with any refuse questions.  Please consider recycling.

Lead & Copper Mandates

The City of Bemidji has completed and submitted our service line materials inventory to the Minnesota Department of Health. The service line inventory is publicly available, and you can check the materials for your service line by visiting the Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (LITT) at https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/. To complete the service line inventory our system used as-built drawings, water tap cards, and some field verifications. City staff are working with the Minnesota Department of Health on procuring grant funds to assist residents with replacing water service lines that may require replacement. Individual letters have been mailed to those residents that have “galvanized requiring replacement” and “unknown” service lines at their properties. The City currently has no record of “lead” service lines in our inventory.
 
As of 10/16/2024 our inventory contains no lead, 117 galvanized requiring replacement, 327 unknown material, and 4228 non-lead service lines.
 
You may also email sam.anderson@ci.bemidji.mn.us or call 218-333-1851 if you have questions. MN Department of Health Program Facts