DIGGERS HOTLINE – DIAL 811
Do not forget – if you plan to disturb the soil in any way, call 811 three working days prior to the start date of your project to have your utility lines marked for free. Please note that Saturdays, Sundays and holidays are NOT working days. Contact Florence Utilities at 715-528-3330 if you are unsure about whether you should call 811.
BUDGET BILLING
It is not too late to consider enrolling in the budget plan for payment of your utility services. The budget billing program is a free service offered to all residential customers. The program is designed to help you avoid unpredictable utility bills and make balancing your budget a little easier. Your monthly budget amount is based on the average of your actual bill charges during the previous 12 months. Any expected increases in the cost of electric and/or natural gas are also calculated into the monthly payment when you enroll in the program. We continue to read your meter every month and your utility bill will show how much energy you used, the actual bill amount and the balance on your account. Some months you will pay less for what you actually used - some months you will pay more. Our budget year runs from September through August. If you would like more information, or are interested in budget billing, please call our office at 715-528-3330.
PIPELINE 101
Pipelines are located in many states, including Wisconsin, and it is possible you may live near or drive past one every day. Pipelines are commonly buried underground but they are identified by aboveground markers (signs, placards or stakes) to provide notification of their presence, approximate location, and product carried with the name and contact information of the company that operates the pipeline. THE PRESENCE OF THESE MARKERS DOES NOT REMOVE THE NEED TO CALL 811 PRIOR TO EXCAVATION! The markers provide an approximate location of where a pipeline might be, and must be verified through a call to 811. The primary function of these above-ground markers is to identify the location of the pipeline to help the public understand the placement of pipelines and prevent excavation damage accidents. Pipelines are generally buried 3 to 4 feet underground or deeper. Some cases require the pipelines to be buried much deeper to go under rivers or roads. The pipeline lies within an area called the pipeline right-of-way or corridor, which is kept clear of trees and other vegetation, buildings or other structures. Other functions of the above ground signs and markers include identification of the pipeline for routine patrols. Pipeline corridors are inspected regularly as a safety tool to ensure that activities that might damage the underground pipe are noticed and can be assessed immediately.
If you are witness to activity on the pipeline right-of-way or corridor that may cause damage to the pipeline, contact Florence Utilities at 715-528-3330.
UPDATE YOUR RECORDS
Once again, we want to stress the importance of updated customer information. If the need should arise to contact you due to a utility related emergency on your property, it is crucial for us to have current contact information available. Please call us at 715-528-3330, or email florenceutilitieswi@florenceutilitieswi.gov to provide a current telephone number. (Florence Utilities does not disclose personal information to third parties.)