Frequently Asked Quesitons

Please visit our Start/Stop Service Page to find out more!

The simple answer is yes.  You will have to pay a deposit based on a credit check.  If no service is present, there will be fees to install utilities based on our Fee Schedule.  Please contact one of our Customer Service Representatives to get a Cost Estimate for Service.

A late penalty will be assessed.  However, services will only be turned off as a last resort.  Customers have up to five days after late notice on the 20th to pay before services are subject to be disconnected.

Please visit our office if you are having trouble paying your bill.  We understand that there are challenging times and situations that create hardships.  We will make suitable arrangements for customers at such times.  However, if we are unaware of any issues, Services will be disconnected.

Great Question!  It depends on the Utility.  Each month we read our meters from a hybrid AMR/AMI system.  Meaning, we use an advanced meter reading system to read our meters from a “Ride by” and Remote reading system.  We also have very few meters we have to manually read anymore.  Back to your question,

For water, we bill in 1000 Gallon Increments.  For example, if your meter registered 4567 Gallons, you would see 4 charged on your account.  The same goes for Sewer charges as we charge based on the amount of Water Consumed at your residence.

For Natural Gas, we bill in CCF.  What is CCF you ask?  It’s one hundred Cubic Feet; a volumetric amount of Natural Gas.  A one foot by one foot by one foot representation of actual natural gas product being used.

For electricity, things can seem complicated.  However, we measure by the amount of Power used over a period of time in the form of kWh or kilowatt hours.  Energy measured by your meter is Power in the form of Voltage times the Current over a one hour period of time.

First, check your Main Breaker Panel to see if any breakers have tripped.  Secondly, check your Meter display.  If possible, see if your surrounding neighbors have power or if streetlights close to you are out at nighttime.  If so, please call 803.245.5128 to report the outage.

During storm outages or even equipment failure, it can be very difficult to predict how long an outage may take to repair.  Our primary job during these times is to work safely!  We work as diligently as we can during outages.  We take pride in restoring power as quickly as possible but again, we want all of our Crew to return home to their families at the end of the day!

Stay Clear of downed Power Lines as they may still be Energized!  Do not get near and do not touch anything power lines are crossing or touching such as fences!  If you are able, please keep others back as well.  Please call Emergency Personnel to control any crowd and call 803.245.5128 to report the downed line.

If you suspect there is a natural gas leak, leave the Residence at once!  Once you are well outside the structure, Call 803.245.5128 to report a Natural Gas leak.  Do not create any source of ignition such as Smoking, using any electrical appliances or flip any switches.  Bamberg BPW will check our equipment for leaks when we arrive onsite.  Please note that Bamberg BPW personnel are not allowed to enter the Residence.  If the leak is deemed to be on the customer side of the meter.  We will disconnect service until the Owner can provide a pressure test on the Natural Gas piping at the structure.

Our water historically has two distinct color issues.  Both of which are safe for consumption but understandably undesirable for drinking water because of taste, odor, or smell also described as aesthetics.  The first issue of note is water that is “red” or “orange” colored.  The reason for this discoloration is because of a build up of iron mineral in our distribution system from the small amounts of iron not treated in the Water Plant.  We flush the entire water distribution system annually to prevent such a case.  During this flushing, water can be stirred up and create problems especially when washing clothes.  Generally, flushing one’s faucets until the water clears is the solution.  If discolored water stains clothes, please call City Hall.

The second issue is when water looks “cloudy” or like “milk”.  This condition occurs when we add compressed air to the raw water.  When the air oxidizes the iron and iron is removed, excessive air molecules become insoluble and make the water look “cloudy”.  If you collect a glass of water, the air will rise and dissipate out of the water within a few minutes.

Boil Water Advisories are issued when a water source is shut off, or when a water distribution system’s pressure drops below 20 psi.  When this occurs, there is a possibility for water to become contaminated with harmful bacteria.  Vigorously boil water for at least one minute prior to consumption.

Residents should follow the advice of the Boil Water Advisory until the Advisory is lifted by the Drinking Water System.

Low water pressure can be caused by several different things.  If sudden onset, there may be a Water Main leak in the area that has caused the low pressure.  If the residence is older, the structures plumbing may have over time created scale thereby reducing the flow within the piping.  Another instance is debris within the plumbing.  Most appliances have a small screen that can be removed to flush out debris; the screen can then be cleaned and replaced.  In most instances, low water pressure can be attributed to a water leak of some sort either on the City side or the Customer side.