Water Department
Indian Hills GID Water Plant and Tanks
HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORK?
Indian Hills General Improvement District's water system is a municipally owner water system serving approximately 5,627 residents through 1,791 residential and 74 commercial water service connections. The District has 1.6 million gallons (MG) of storage supplied by five storage tanks to adequately provide for peak water demand and fire storage. In the event of an emergency, the District is also interconnected through a metered inter-tie with Douglas County's North Valley Water System, which can bring an additional 2 MG of water storage on line if needed.
Pumps at Indian Hills Water Plant
WATER SUPPLY
Our water is primarily supplied through a recently constructed 18 inch water main from the Town of Minden. For information about the water quality for the water supplied to us, please visit www.townofminden.com and click on the water quality report or you can contact the Town of Minden at (775) 782-5976.
In addition to the Minden water, the District is keeping in service, as needed, three wells with good quality water that can each produce approximately 100 gallons per minute (gpm).
Indian Hills Sunridge Booster Station Reconstruction: After being in service for many years it came to the attention of the Indian Hills Water Operators that the Sunridge Booster Station (which services water to the North Sunridge Park and the homes above the park) was in need of replacement due to severely corroding pipes and pumps that had reached the end of their useful life. The new booster station is up and running and includes a large pump to provide fire flows and will provide operational flexibility during normal water usage.
We often receive calls from residents asking to have their water turned off for various reasons. As it is the District’s responsibility to take care of this issue, this is exactly how we would like to handle this request. If a problem develops while turning off/on the water, our operators have the tools to minimize potential larger issues. The problem we are experiencing is residents taking it upon themselves to use the meter as a shutoff for their homes. If a break or leak should arise while turning off/on the meter, it could lead to having to shut down the entire street to repair the meter, with all of the costs associated with the repair being charged back to the resident. Therefore, we ask that you please not try to do this by yourselves. The meters out by the street are the property of the District, not the home owner. In the District's Water Service Policy under section 7, it states that "no person shall uncover, make any connection with or open into, use, alter, or disturb any public water facility or property. When it is evident that someone has tampered with a water meter, register or meter pit a $250.00 fine will be implemented." If you have a need to shut off the water, but want to do it yourself, then you need to locate your water shut-off at your house. This should be located right next to your house and usually on the same side of the house as the meter that’s located at the street. Depending on the age of your home, a shut-off valve would have been installed by code at the time of construction. Our operators are willing to come out and assist our residents in locating the general area of the shut-off valve, but they are not allowed to perform any work for liability reasons. Should you need to have one of these shut-off valves installed, you should contact a plumber. This method of shutting off your water is much more efficient in an emergency, and you don’t run the risk of possible damage to the meter and a possible street shut down.
The most reliable way to determine where your house valve would most likely be, is to go under the house and see where the water line comes up from the foundation. The value would most likely be on the other side of the foundation outside the house. The valve box or operating rod may just be covered with dirt. Having a house shut off that works, and is accessible, will allow homeowners to be able to shut off their water quickly in the event of a plumbing leak. District personnel if called after hours could take as long as an hour, depending on weather and road conditions, to reach their house to shut off the water. The subsequent property damage could easily exceed the cost of hiring a plumber to install or repair the homeowners house shut off valve.
At the July 17, 2013 Board meeting the Indian Hills GID Board of Trustees adopted to amend the Water Service Policy to implement service charges and a fine for tampering with a water meter, register or pit that would take effect when, a) a homeowner calls requesting the District to come out during business hours and it is determined to be due to the homeowners negligence or it is proved to be a nuisance a $30.00 charge should be implemented, b) any afterhours call that proves to be the responsibility of the homeowner and not that of the Indian Hills General Improvement District a $60.00 charge should be implemented or c) when it is evident that someone has tampered with a meter, register or meter pit which is the property of the District a $250.00 fine will be implemented.
Water and Sewer Rate Schedule
| Sign Up Fee (New Accounts Only) |
$15.00 |
| Sewer Rate (monthly) |
| Flat |
$41.72 |
| Water Rate (monthly) |
Basic Service Fee Per Meter Size
Water Usage Rate
|
3/4" Meter Size $36.22
1" Meter Size $56.60
1.5" Meter Size $118.28
2" Meter Size $173.87
3" Meter Size $290.36
4" Meter Size $586.53
6" Meter Size $856.34
8" Meter Size $1,292.75
$1.95 per 1,000 gallons up to 10,000 gallons
$2.30 per 1,000 gallons used over 10,000
A $1.00 Storm Water Managment Fee is
included in your monthly bill
|
Water & Sewer Connection Fee
Residential Single Family Dwelling |
| $5,130 Water |
$5,130 Sewer |
For Commercial Connection Fees, click on "Ordinances & Policies", click on "Policies" and select Commercial Sewer Service Policy and Commercial Water Service Policy.
To set up a new water and sewer account, please select the appropriate form listed below or contact the main
office at (775) 267-2805.
Questions regarding billing or status on your current account, please contact the main office at (775) 267-2805.
For your convenience, a payment drop box is located directly in front of the main office.
1. Check faucets and pipes for leaks
A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.
2. Don't use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket
Every time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue or other small bit of trash, five to seven gallons of water is wasted.
3. Check your toilets for leaks
Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately. Most replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install.
4. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks
Read the house water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
5. Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators
Inexpensive water-saving low-flow shower heads or restrictors are easy for the homeowner to install. Also, long, hot showers can use five to ten gallons every unneeded minute. Limit your showers to the time it takes to soap up, wash down and rinse off. "Low-flow" means it uses less than 2.5 gallons per minute.
You can easily install a ShowerStart showerhead, or add a ShowerStart converter to existing showerheads, which automatically pauses a running shower once it gets warm.
Also, all household faucets should be fit with aerators. This single best home water conservation method is also the cheapest!
6. Put plastic bottles or float booster in your toilet tank
To cut down on water waste, put an inch or two of sand or pebbles inside each of two plastic bottles to weigh them down. Fill the bottles with water, screw the lids on, and put them in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanisms. Or, buy an inexpensive tank bank or float booster. This may save ten or more gallons of water per day.
Be sure at least 3 gallons of water remain in the tank so it will flush properly. If there is not enough water to get a proper flush, users will hold the lever down too long or do multiple flushes to get rid of waste. Two flushings at 1.4 gallons is worse than a single 2.0 gallon flush. A better suggestion would be to buy an adjustable toilet flapper that allow for adjustment of their per flush use. Then the user can adjust the flush rate to the minimum per flush setting that achieves a single good flush each time.
For new installations, consider buying "low flush" toilets, which use 1 to 2 gallons per flush instead of the usual 3 to 5 gallons.
Replacing an 18 liter per flush toilet with an ultra-low volume (ULV) 6 liter flush model represents a 70% savings in water flushed and will cut indoor water use by about 30%.
7. Insulate your water pipes.
It's easy and inexpensive to insulate your water pipes with pre-slit foam pipe insulation. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
8. Take shorter showers.
One way to cut down on water use is to turn off the shower after soaping up, then turn it back on to rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water.
9. Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush
There is no need to keep the water running while brushing your teeth. Just wet your brush and fill a glass for mouth rinsing.
10. Rinse your razor in the sink
Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This will rinse your razor just as well as running water, with far less waste of water.
11. Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for only full loads
Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should be fully loaded for optimum water conservation. Most makers of dishwashing soap recomend not pre-rinsing dishes which is a big water savings.
With clothes washers, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an added 20 liters (5 gallons) for the extra rinse. For partial loads, adjust water levels to match the size of the load. Replace old clothes washers. New Energy Star rated washers use 35 - 50% less water and 50% less energy per load. If you're in the market for a new clothes washer, consider buying a water-saving frontload washer.
12. Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage disposal units
In-sink 'garburators' require lots of water to operate properly, and also add considerably to the volume of solids in a septic tank which can lead to maintenance problems. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing food waste.
13. When washing dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing
If your have a double-basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water. If you have a single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray device or a panful of hot water. Dual-swivel aerators are available to make this easier. If using a dishwasher, there is usually no need to pre-rinse the dishes.
14. Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables
Just rinse them in a stoppered sink or a pan of clean water. Use a dual-setting aerator.
15. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge.
Running tap water to cool it off for drinking water is wasteful. Store drinking water in the fridge in a safe drinking bottle. If you are filling water bottles to bring along on outdoor hikes, consider buying a LifeStraw personal water filter which enables users to drink water safely from rivers or lakes or any available body of water.
Water conservation in the yard and garden...
16. Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and plants
If you are planting a new lawn, or overseeding an existing lawn, use drought-resistant grasses such as the new "Eco-Lawn".
Many beautiful shrubs and plants thrive with far less watering than other species. Replace herbaceous perennial borders with native plants. Native plants will use less water and be more resistant to local plant diseases. Consider applying the principles of xeriscape for a low-maintenance, drought resistant yard.
Plant slopes with plants that will retain water and help reduce runoff.
Group plants according to their watering needs.
17. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants
Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth. Adding 2 - 4 inches of organic material such as compost or bark mulch will increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture. Press the mulch down around the dripline of each plant to form a slight depression which will prevent or minimize water runoff.
For information about different mulch materials and their best use, click here.
18. Don't water the gutter
Position your sprinklers so water lands on the lawn or garden, not on paved areas. Also, avoid watering on windy days.
19. Water your lawn only when it needs it
A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs back up when you move, it doesn't need water. If it stays flat, the lawn is ready for watering. Letting the grass grow taller (to 3") will also promote water retention in the soil.
Most lawns only need about 1" of water each week. During dry spells, you can stop watering altogether and the lawn will go brown and dormant. Once cooler weather arrives, the morning dew and rainfall will bring the lawn back to its usual vigor. This may result in a brown summer lawn, but it saves a lot of water.
20. Deep-soak your lawn
When watering the lawn, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tends to encourage shallow root systems. Put an empty tuna can on your lawn - when it's full, you've watered about the right amount. Visit our natural lawn care page for more information.
21. Water during the early parts of the day; avoid watering when it's windy
Early morning is generally better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus. Early watering, and late watering, also reduce water loss to evaporation. Watering early in the day is also the best defence against slugs and other garden pests. Try not to water when it's windy - wind can blow sprinklers off target and speed evaporation.
22. Add organic matter and use efficient watering systems for shrubs, flower beds and lawns
Adding organic material to your soil will help increase its absorption and water retention. Areas which are already planted can be 'top dressed' with compost or organic matter.
You can greatly reduce the amount of water used for shrubs, beds and lawns by:
- the strategic placement of soaker hoses
- installing a rain barrel water catchment system
- installing a simple drip-irrigation system
Avoid over-watering plants and shrubs, as this can actually diminish plant health and cause yellowing of the leaves.
When hand watering, use a variable spray nozzle for targeted watering.
23. Don't run the hose while washing your car
Clean the car using a pail of soapy water. Use the hose only for rinsing - this simple practice can save as much as 150 gallons when washing a car. Use a spray nozzle when rinsing for more efficient use of water. Better yet, use a waterless car washing system; there are several brands, such as EcoTouch, which are now on the market.
24. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks
25. Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings
Leaks outside the house may not seem as bad since they're not as visible. But they can be just as wasteful as leaks indoors. Check frequently to keep them drip-free. Use hose washers at spigots and hose connections to eliminate leaks.
Water conservation comes naturally when everyone in the family is aware of its importance, and parents take the time to teach children some of the simple water-saving methods around the home which can make a big difference.
The District takes six monthly bacteriological (Bac-T) samples as required by the NDEP Bureau of Safe Drinking Water. The number and location of these Bac-T samples are determined by the population served and the particular aspects of the District water distrubution system. All sample locations are approved by the NDEP. Other sampling for water quality of our wells is performed on a monthly, quarterly, annually or tri-annual basis as required by the NDEP.
If you wish to contact NDEP you may use this link www.ndep.nv.gov/bsdw/index.htm or you may call them at
(775) 687-9516.
Here are several links which may be helpful.
www.communitywater.com or www.wikihow.com
Try cleaning out the screens on your faucets first, especially if the flow problems are isolated to one or two fixtures and not common throughout the house. Check under the sink and make sure the supply line valves are all the way turned on. Check to see if the house valve is turned all the way on. This could be the cause if plumbing work was done recently or if the irrigation system was recently turned on or off. Many homes in the District are equipped with Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV). These mechanical, adjustable, direct acting valves are most often installed on the incoming water supply line under the house prior to any fixture supply lines. The PRV reduces the incoming water pressure by utilizing a spring loaded diaphragm which can be manually adjusted via a screw or nut mounted on the top of the bonnet of the valve. Re-build kits are available from plumbing supply companies if adjusting the operating screw does not work.
If you do not feel comfortable doing the work yourself, call a plumber. Below is a link:
www.watts.com/pages/learnabout/reducingvalves.asp
Since going on Minden water we have heard from several residents that their shower heads are plugging up frequently with debris. At the present time we have no conclusive evidence as to the cause, but it seems to be related to the use of the hot water and the fact that it doesn't take much debris to clog up a restricted flow shower head. Perhaps the change of water chemistry is causing calcium buildup in the water heater to dislodge and plug up the shower head. If you wish to flush out your water heater yourself, here are some helpful links:
www.ehow.com or www.wikihow.com
If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, call a plumber.
Of course if you are not comfortable with doing this yourself, call a plumber.
The above are all examples of the more common questions asked by our residents. We hope the links provided prove to be helpful.
Should you have any other questions or concerns please call the office at (775) 267-2805 or the Hobo Water Plant at (775) 267-9860.
Outside Watering Restrictions
We remind you that the ordinance regarding outside watering in the Indian Hills General Improvement District is in effect year around. This ordinance was adopted to eliminate the wasting of water and is mandated by the State of Nevada. We also ask that you use common sense and be prudent when you do water, and practice water conservation in your entire household. Your cooperation and care in this matter is greatly appreciated and will help ensure that we will have an abundant water supply in the future.
Watering is Restricted Between
11:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.
EXEMPTIONS: Commercial gardeners or caretakers, flowers and vegetable gardens and lawns less than 30-days old.
WASTE OF ANY KIND: Such as allowing water to run down gutters, into the street, alley or sidewalk, is PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES.
| 1st violation |
|
An oral or written warning |
| 2nd violation |
|
Warning by certified mail |
| 3rd violation |
|
Shut-off water service and a $50.00 fine |
2022 Consumer Confidence Report
2022 Minden Consumer Confidence Report
2021 Consumer Confidence Report
2021 Minden Consumer Confidence Report
2020 Consumer Confidence Report
2020 Minden Consumer Confidence Report
2019 Consumer Confidence Report
2019 Minden Consumer Confidence Report
2018 Consumer Confidence Report
2018 Minden Consumer Confidence Report
2017 Consumer Confidence Report
2017 Minden Consumer Confidence Report
Water Conservation Tips
WATER FORMS
Water Service Policy
Will Serve Policy
Annexation Policy
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