When are the utility bills due?
Utility and Stormwater bills are due upon receipt; bills are mailed out the first week of every month and considered delinquent if not paid by the following month. For those receiving a utility bill (water, sewer and stormwater) you will receive a "warning" with a specified date notifying you that payment needs to be made on that date BEFORE 10 a.m. or your water will be shut off and you will be subject to a shut off fee for failure to pay. Water will not be restored until payment is received.

Why is there a negative amount showing in the Total Amount Due box?
If your bill reflects a negative (-) in the amount due box, you have a credit on your account. You can either keep accumulating a credit by paying each month, or you can wait to pay your bill once the credit is used. (This option is generally used by residents who are only being charged stormwater charges and like to pay their stormwater bill ahead of time). You will still receive the bill in the mail each month, showing you your remaining credit balance.

My water is shut off, why am I still being charged?
Every customer who receives water and sewer service with the Black Diamond Water Department 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?
No, currently at this time we do not offer online payments. However, you may call and pay over the phone using your credit/debit card. We accept VISA, MasterCard and Discover payments.

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 KC Metro charge?
King County Metro is engaged in operating a sewage collection, treatment and disposal system for the City.

Is there a low-income relief program or Senior Discount program?
Yes. The City of Black Diamond has a reduced monthly rate for residential low-income senior citizens and residential low-income disabled customers of the city's water, sewer and stormwater utilities. This reduced rate is known as the "Lifeline" rate, and 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, contact City Hall at (360)851-4500.

I have sold my house or have just moved in, what steps do I need to take to change billing?
Contact City Hall (360) 851-4500 and our Administrative Assistant will help you set up or close the utility account, if you are a tenant and want the bill to be sent to you, the owner/landlord will need to fill out the Landlord/Tenant Authorization form and fax (360 )851-4501 or mail to the City of Black Diamond, PO Box 599, Black Diamond, WA 98010.

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 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 am an owner and my home is in foreclosure, 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 that billing month (whole or partial) is responsible for that bill. Once the payment has been made, the account will be closed. If you have moved you will need to call City Hall and provide them your forwarding address to mail the current bill and provide the City with documentation of foreclosure with the new owner's information.

I have a water emergency after business hours, who do I call?
You can page the utility crew regarding your water emergency at 360-851-4517

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.