Saint Paul Homes: Water Service, Foreclosed Vacant Properties & Winterization

Posted by scottf

January 4, 2010

The jurisdiction of Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS) includes the city of Saint Paul and surrounding areas of Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Maplewood, West Saint Paul, Lilydale, Mendota and Mendota Heights, Newport, Roseville, South Saint Paul, Sunfish Lake and Little Canada.

Link: http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=75
Contact number: (651) 266-6350

Vacant and Foreclosed Properties
In the case of a foreclosure, the owner or its assignee is expected to contact the SPRWS customer service line to provide them with updated contact information and a mailing address. After this information is provided, only the contact person can request the shut off, meter removal, or turn on.

The owner or assignee of a foreclosure may call SPRWS to verify that the bill is up to date and if the meter is not at the property, verify whether SPRWS removed the meter or if the meter was stolen.

Winterizing a property
When winterizing Saint Paul Houses serviced by Saint Paul Regional Water Services, do not remove the meter. Under City Charter Section 94.06, the meter is owned by SPRWS and may be removed only by an employee of SPRWS except in case of an emergency or when a plumber changes the meter location to drain the system. When winterizing a property, SPRWS recommends a “Shut Off and Remove” at which time a SPRWS employee will shut off the water in the street and remove the meter.

Matters regarding billing
-A meter reset charge is assessed to the property when the meter is removed. This bill must be paid prior to the water turn on.
-If the meter is shut off but not removed, property owners will still receive a minimum charge and the bill must be paid prior to water turn on.
-If the meter is shut off and removed by SPRWS, the meter will be inspected upon removal, and if nothing is wrong with the meter, the final bill is produced and the property owner will receive no further minimal charges.
-If a meter is missing, call SPRWS to verify whether the meter was shut off and removed by SPRWS, or if the meter was stolen.

Water Bills:
Water bills are a lien on the property. The seller of the property is responsible for the entire water bill up until the day SPRWS is notified and conducts a final reading. The final meter reading should be taken on the day of closing. An appointment for the final reading should be made in advance. SPRWS prefers that the owner or the assignee make an appointment at least two weeks
in advance to the date of closing. If the appointment needs to be canceled, it may be cancelled the same day.

Turning the Water On:
If the water is turned off and needs to be turned back on, SPRWS will not turn the water back on unless someone is at the property. Appointments to turn the water back on should be made at least two weeks in advance to when the new property owner will need the water on.

As is Properties:
If the property is being sold “as is” and the meter is broken, damaged or frozen, the new property owner will be responsible for the cost of repair unless an alternative agreement is made before closing. A visual inspection cannot always indicate whether a meter is broken, damaged or frozen. If Saint Paul Regional Water Services performs a “shut off and remove”, the meter is inspected after removal, and a fully functioning meter will replace it upon turning the water back on.

Closing Checklist
- Set up an appointment for a final meter reading/water turn on around two weeks in advance of the closing date, scheduled for the day of closing.
-Provide SPRWS with an updated address to receive the final bill from the final meter reading.
-Provide SPRWS with the new property owner’s name and contact information.