FAQ

Here is where you will find answers to common questions. Click a question to see the answer. If you don’t see the answer to a question you have, please contact us.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is the Dinwiddie County Water Authority?

The Dinwiddie County Water Authority (DCWA) is a water and sewer authority created by the Virginia Water and Waste Authorities Act that provides water and sewer service in Dinwiddie County.

Am I Located Within The DCWA's Service Area?

The Dinwiddie County Water Authority provides water and wastewater service for Dinwiddie County. The main water and wastewater service area is the northeastern section of the county. This includes the River Road area from Ferndale Road to Wrenn Forrest Drive, Cox Road area from Boydton Plank Road to Airport Street, Boydton Plank Road from Cox Road to White Oak Road, Route 460 from Boydton Plank Road to R. B. Pamplin Parkway and the Piney Beach area.

The Authority also maintains a small wastewater service area around the Dinwiddie County Courthouse. This small wastewater only service area accepts wastewater from the Courthouse area, the High School, the Junior High School, the Middle School, the jail, the Route 85 Rest Stop and local businesses and residences around the Courthouse. Water in this area is provided by private wells.

For more specific information to see if a parcel, address, or area is served or has access to water and/or wastewater, please contact the Authority at 804-861-0998.

Where is the DCWA Office Located?

The Dinwiddie County Water Authority office is located at 23008 Airpark Drive adjacent to the Dinwiddie County Airport. Complete location information, including a map and driving directions, is available on our Office Location page.

What are DCWA's Office Hours?

The office hours for the lobby located at 23008 Airpark Drive, North Dinwiddie, VA 23803 are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. This location also has a 24-hour drop box to facilitate payments after normal business hours. The set holiday schedule for the Authority is:

New Year’s Day – January 1st
Martin Luther King Day – 3rd Monday in January
George Washington Day – 3rd Monday in February
Memorial Day – last Monday in May
Independence Day – July 4th
Labor Day – 1st Monday in September
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day – 4th Thursday in November
Friday after Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve – December 24th
Christmas Day – December 25th

If a holiday falls on Saturday, Friday is observed. If a holiday falls on Sunday, Monday will be observed. For adverse weather conditions, DCWA follows the closing schedule used by Dinwiddie County and posted on their website, www.dinwiddieva.us. In any instance where you are unsure if the Authority is open, please call 804-861-0998 or 804-861-1012.

How Do I Contact Someone in Case of a Water or Sewer Emergency?

Complete contact instructions are provided in our Emergency Contact Procedure. During our normal office hours, water and/or sewer emergency calls can be placed to (804) 861-0998 or (804) 861-1012 and will be handled by our office staff. If calling after normal office hours, on weekends or holidays, call the same number(s) and follow the prompts and on-call staff will be paged and will return your call. When leaving a message, please leave your name, address, and a telephone number where you can be reached. If you are not contacted within 30 minutes, please call again.

Where Does My Water Come From?

The northern area of Dinwiddie County is supplied by water from the Appomattox River Water Authority.

The Appomattox River Water Authority treats water from Lake Chesdin and distributes it to Chesterfield County, Dinwiddie County, Prince George County, City of Petersburg and City of Colonial Heights.

For water and sewer customers outside the Town of McKenney; Depot Road, Denbigh Street and Unico Road; this area is fed by wells from the Town of McKenney’s system.

For customers in the Lew Jones Subdivision (water only); Depot Road and Southern Avenue; this area is fed by a well located in the back of the Lew Jones Subdivision.

I am on Home Dialysis. Will the Water Affect my Treatment?

The drinking water supplied by the Appomattox River Water Authority to the Dinwiddie County Water Authority has been disinfected by a combination of chlorine and ammonia, also know as chloramines. Chloramines are disinfectants used to treat potable drinking water. The typical purpose of chloramines is to provide longer-lasting disinfection as the water moves through pipes to consumers. This type of disinfection is known as secondary disinfection. Chloramines have been used by water utilities for almost 90 years and their use is closely regulated. Water that contains chloramines and meets EPA regulatory standards is safe to use for drinking, cooking, bathing and other household uses.

Chloramines are more difficult to remove through dechlorination than chlorine; therefore, special care must be taken to ensure all chlorine and chloramines are neutralized by dialysis users.

Residents who use dialysis equipment in their home should contact their physician or equipment supplier regarding the need to make any necessary adjustments. If you have any further questions, please contact the operations manager, Ben Jones, at (804) 861-1012 ext. 112 or benjones@dcwa.org.

I Have a Fish Aquarium. Does the Water Have to be Treated Before I Put it in My Fish Tank?

The drinking water supplied by the Appomattox River Water Authority to the Dinwiddie County Water Authority has been disinfected by a combination of chlorine and ammonia, also know as chloramines. Chloramines are disinfectants used to treat potable drinking water. The typical purpose of chloramines is to provide longer-lasting disinfection as the water moves through pipes to consumers. This type of disinfection is known as secondary disinfection. Chloramines have been used by water utilities for almost 90 years and their use is closely regulated. Water that contains chloramines and meets EPA regulatory standards is safe to use for drinking, cooking, bathing and other household uses.

Chloramines are more difficult to remove through dechlorination than chlorine; therefore, special care must be taken to ensure all chlorine and chloramines are neutralized by aquarium owners. Fish owners should check with their local pet store for the most accurate information about proper dechlorination chemicals and procedures for your aquariums.

If you have any further questions, please contact the operations manager, Ben Jones, at (804) 861-1012 ext. 112 or benjones@dcwa.org.

ACCOUNTING QUESTIONS

What Methods are Available to Pay my Bill?

The Authority offers numerous payment options:

  1. Mail check or money order to the Dinwiddie County Water Authority, P.O. Box 100, Sutherland, VA 23885.
  2. Call the Authority at (804) 861-0998 to pay by credit card, Visa or MasterCard, via the telephone. A $3.95 convenience fee will be added per transaction to the total to pay by credit card. The Authority is charged a $3.95 fee per credit card transaction by the credit card processing vendor.
  3. Sign up for direct withdrawal from a checking account or credit card. To sign up, complete an Authorization to Withdraw Funds – Checking Account form or complete an Authorization to Withdraw Funds – Credit Card Account form in order to establish automatic payment drafts. If a credit card is used for automatic monthly payments, a $3.95 convenience fee will be added to the transaction total. The Authority is charged a $3.95 fee per credit card transaction by the credit card processing vendor.
  4. 24-hour drop box next to the front door at 23008 Airpark Drive, Petersburg, VA 23803 – check or money order is recommended.
  5. On-line payment at https://www.logicsolbp.com/dcw/login.aspx
    For payment log-in instructions, click: On-line Bill Pay Procedure.
  6. Payments are also accepted at:
    1. Bank of Southside Virginia – Rohoic and Dinwiddie Branches
    2. Touchstone Bank – McKenney, Dinwiddie and Airport Branches
  7. On-line through your bank’s on-line bill pay service. Individual account balances for water and sewage services can be paid each month by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Automatic monthly account payment drafts from checking accounts or by credit card charge can be arranged as well. Use of the credit card option for monthly payments will incur a $3.95 convenience fee.

Payments made by cash can only be made at the DCWA office, located at 23008 Air Park Drive, during normal business hours or in person at one of the banks which accept payments.

Payments made by credit card can be made either in person or in the 24-hour drop box at the DCWA office, located at 23008 Air Park Drive, during normal business hours, or via telephone at (804) 861-0998 during normal business hours. Payments made by credit card will incur a $3.95 convenience fee in addition to the monthly account balance.

Payments made by check or by money order can be made either in person, during normal business hours, or using the 24-hour drop box at the DCWA office located at 23008 Air Park Drive, or should be sent via the U.S. Postal Service to DCWA, P. O. Box 100, Sutherland, VA 23885. Payments sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be received by DCWA prior to the monthly payment due date printed on the bill in order to avoid a late payment fee or disconnection.

How Do I Set-Up an Auto Draft to Pay my Monthly Bill?

A completed Authorization to Withdraw Funds – Checking Account form or a completed Authorization to Withdraw Funds – Credit Card Account form is required in order to establish automatic payment drafts. Use of the credit card option for automatic monthly payments will incur a $3.95 convenience fee in addition to the monthly account balance.

The Authority also maintains a small wastewater service area around the Dinwiddie County Courthouse. This small wastewater only service area accepts wastewater from the Courthouse area, the High School, the Junior High School, the Middle School, the jail, the Route 85 Rest Stop and local businesses and residences around the Courthouse. Water in this area is provided by private wells.

For more specific information to see if a parcel, address, or area is served or has access to water and/or wastewater, please contact the Authority at 804-861-0998.

How Do I Cancel an Existing Auto Draft For My Account?

To cancel an existing Authorization to Withdraw Funds, a completed Authorization to Cancel Withdrawal of Funds form is required. Completed forms can be submitted in person at our office during normal operating hours and must be presented with a valid, legal photo ID. Cancellation of an existing Authorization to Withdraw Funds agreement will require that monthly account balances be paid using one of the following payment options: cash, check, money order, or credit card.

When Are Bills Sent Out?

The Authority bills monthly for consumption for the previous month. Bills are usually sent out around the 20th of each month. If you do not receive a bill by the 25th of the month, please call the Authority at (804) 861-0998.

When Is A Bill Payment Considered Late?

Payment is due upon receipt. A bill is deemed delinquent and a late charge of 10% is added 25 days after the bill is mailed.

What is DCWA's Return Check Policy?

Payment which results in a returned check or a direct withdrawal which is not honored is considered the same as no payment. In the event a customer’s check is returned for non-payment, the customer will be notified and required to pay the outstanding account balance plus a $50 returned check fee within five (5) working days.

If a returned check or direct withdrawal is not honored and has been sent to the Authority to avoid service termination, then the customer shall pay the outstanding account balance and fees to date including the $50 returned check fee and a $50 reactivation fee to have service reactivated.

Please see the DCWA’s return check policy for complete details regarding actions and penalties.

How is my Bill Calculated?

A customer’s bill is based on the amount of water that passes through the water meter usually located in your front yard. Your sewer bill is also based on the amount of water that passes through the water meter. If you have an emeter, the emeter is used to reduce the sewer portion of your bill. For example, if your main meter at the street showed you used 2,000 gallons for the month and your emeter showed you used 500 gallons to irrigate your garden (water used outside not returned to the sewer), then your water portion of the bill would be charges for 2,000 gallons and the sewer portion of your bill would be based on 1,500 gallons (2,000 gallons – 500 gallons).

Chloramines are more difficult to remove through dechlorination than chlorine; therefore, special care must be taken to ensure all chlorine and chloramines are neutralized by dialysis users.

Residents who use dialysis equipment in their home should contact their physician or equipment supplier regarding the need to make any necessary adjustments. If you have any further questions, please contact the operations manager, Ben Jones, at (804) 861-1012 ext. 112 or benjones@dcwa.org.

Can I Pay my Monthly Bill Electronically?

Monthly Authority bills can be paid electronically through our on-line payment service. For access to our secure payment portal, click this link:
https://www.logicsolbp.com/dcw/login.aspx

OPERATIONS QUESTIONS

How Often is my Meter Read?

Meters are read once a month, usually on the last day of the month. This is an automated process where your meter is read by a computer over a radio by driving by the meter. The weather conditions determine how far the meters broadcast, i.e., you may not see a truck driving down your street to read the meters. Your meter may be read while driving down an adjacent street.

When is Service Disconnected?

Following DCWA policy, service is disconnected for a variety of reasons. The most common reason for service disconnection is nonpayment. Other reasons for disconnection include:

  1. For the willful or indifferent waste of water due to any cause.
  2. For the willful or indifferent introduction of strong wastes into the sewer system above and beyond that provided for in a written contract with the Authority.
  3. For failure to protect and maintain the service pipes or fixtures on the property of the customer in a condition satisfactory to the Authority.
  4. For molesting or tampering by the customer, or by others with the knowledge of the customer, with any pipe, meter, fixture or appurtenance belonging to the Authority supplying, controlling, regulating or affecting the customer’s service.
  5. For non-payment of any rates, fees, and/or other charges accruing under the Rules and Regulations.
  6. For abandonment of the premises.
  7. For violation of any of the Rules and Regulations.
  8. At the customer’s request by completing a Request to Discontinue Service form.

How is Service Re-established if Disconnected for Non-Payment

In order to reestablish service as a result of non-payment, the customer is responsible for paying all outstanding balances and fees plus a $50 reactivation fee prior to reconnection.

What Information is Required to Setup Residential Service?

If you own a home, you will need to provide the following information at the time an account is set-up.

  1. Copy of the Deed – The account will be set-up in the name(s) listed on the deed.
  2. Copy of the HUD-1 document.
  3. Driver’s license or other legal photo ID – a military ID is acceptable.
  4. Social Security card.
  5. A $25 non-refundable account set-up fee.
  6. Each person listed on the Deed must sign the application and present a driver’s license or other legal photo ID and Social Security card.
  7. A completed Residential Application for Service form.

If you are renting a house, you will need to provide the following information at the time an account is setup.

  1. Copy of a fully ratified lease. The account will be set-up in the name(s) listed on the lease. In the event the tenant wants to move in prior to the date stated on the lease, then the tenant must provide written permission from the landlord stating the exact date the tenant can occupy the premises.
  2. Driver’s license or other legal photo ID – a military ID is acceptable.
  3. Social Security card.
  4. A $25 non-refundable account set-up fee.
  5. A minimum $150 security deposit. This deposit is not interest bearing and any remaining balance will be refunded after the final bill has been paid. At the tenant’s request, the deposit can be applied towards the final bill.
  6. Each person listed on the Lease must sign the application and present a driver’s license or other legal photo ID and Social Security card.
  7. A completed Residential Application for Service form.

What Information is Required to Setup Commercial or Industrial Service?

Required information includes:

  1. Payment of connection fee.
  2. Copy of the company’s business license
  3. Company’s Federal Identification Number
  4. A $25 account set-up fee
  5. Security Deposit – Amount to be determined following discussion of the business use practices
  6. Letter from the company’s Board, on company letterhead, identifying the person(s) who can act on the company’s behalf.
  7. A completed Business Application for Service form.

I am Moving, What Do I Need to Do to Terminate Service?

When you are moving and need to terminate service, complete a Request To Discontinue Service form and come to the Authority office. The Authority will disconnect service on the date specified on the form. Provide the Authority with a forwarding address where the last bill can be sent and any remaining security deposit. You must present a valid photo ID and pay your current account balance to zero. The Authority does not refund remaining security deposit balances less than $5.00.

Who Do I Contact if I See Water Coming Up In the Street or Sewage Coming Out of a Manhole?

Contact the Authority immediately at (804) 861-0998 or (804) 861-1012. If calling after hours, on the weekend or holidays, follow the prompts and on-call staff will be paged and return your call. When leaving a message, please leave your name, address, and telephone number where you can be contacted.

What Are Backflow Preventers?

As their name implies, backflow preventers are in-line devices which prevent the possible introduction of contaminants into the water system by preventing the backflow of water into the incoming water supply line. The backflow preventer guarantees a one-way flow of water from the Authority’s supply line to the residential or commercial customer.

Does DCWA Require Installation of Backflow Preventers?

Yes, backflow preventers are required for both residential and commercial accounts. See the Authority’s Guide To Selecting, Installing And Maintaining Backflow Prevention Assemblies For Residential Irrigation Systems for more information. Please contact the Authority at (804) 861-0998 should you have questions or problems.