Frequently Asked Questions

   ·        How do I open or close an account?

·        What am I billed for and how often am I billed?

·        What are the Utility fees/rates?

·        Why is my bill so high?

·        Why was my bill estimated?

·        Does the City of Brooklyn Park offer a senior discount?

·        What options do I have for paying my bill?

·        What if I cannot pay my bill on time?

·        How does the City of Brooklyn Park read meters?

·        Is outside water usage included in sewer consumption charges?

·        What about Recycling?

·        Who do I contact for Garbage Services?

·        What if my property is vacant? (for sale/rent or vacant seasonally)

·        Questions about water main breaks or water main flushing?

·        What is your policy on rental property?

·        What is your sprinkling policy, and do you have watering bans?

·        Who do I call about water quality questions or hardness level for Brooklyn Park water?

·        Who is responsible for repairs?

·        What do I do if I have a sewer backup?

·        Who do I Contact for more information?

How do I Open or close an account?

If you are buying or selling a residence in Brooklyn Park, please contact utility billing at 763-493-8185 to request a final read.  Readings are done from outside of the property.

What am I billed for and how often am I billed?

The City of Brooklyn Park bills for costs associated with fresh water delivery and waste water removal on a quarterly basis. The City treats water for quality through filtering. A corrosion inhibitor is added to protect water pipes, and chlorine is used for disinfecting. Fluoride is added for dental protection.

A safe water test fee is collected quarterly and remitted to the State of Minnesota in compliance with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act established in 1993. The City also collects service fees for storm drainage (covers the cost of operating, maintaining and improving water quality within the city including the cost of street sweeping to keep materials out of the storm sewer and water system) and street light/traffic light maintenance fees.

What are the utility fees/rates?

Click here for details.

Why is my bill so high?

It is difficult to compare one billing statement to another as the time of year can affect your water usage. High bills can be associated with some of the following: new sod/lawn, filling a pool, irrigation systems, large number of people in the household, improperly flushing toilets and other types of leaks. If you do not believe you've had an increase in your water usage, you can request a service order for your property. Please call utility billing (763-493-8185) and we will set up an appointment to have a service technician assist you.

Why was my bill estimated?

If we were unable to obtain an accurate reading of your meter, your account may be estimated. Please call utility billing (763-493-8185) as soon as possible to avoid delay in billing your account accurately. An appointment may need to be made so that repair can be made to your meter.

Does the City of Brooklyn Park offer a senior discount?

The City of Brooklyn Park charges are based on actual consumption. Therefore, a senior discount rate is not available.

What options do I have for paying my bill?

You can mail your payment to the City of Brooklyn Park or drop it off at customer service in City Hall between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Our address is 5200 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443. A drive-up drop box is located near the flag poles outside the main entrance of City Hall and is collected daily. We also offer an automatic payment withdrawal program. To participate, please complete the required form and return it with either a voided check or a deposit slip (saving or checking). You can download this form, pick one up at City Hall or request one by mail. You will still receive your quarter billing statement indicating that the payment will be taken out of your bank account on the due date. If you pay through your bank online or with an online bill pay service, please allow enough lead time so that your payment is received by the due date.

Click here to download the Automatic Payment Plan form.

What if I cannot pay my bill on time?

You should receive your quarterly statement approximately 30 days before it is due. If you payment is received after the due date, a late fee of 10% of the account balance will be charged to your account.Accounts not current by mid-November are certified to Hennepin County to be collected with property taxes. Exact dates and information is mailed to each property owner in advance.

How does the City of Brooklyn Park read meters?

Each property has an electronic transmitter (MIU box) attached to the outside of the property. In most cases, we do not need access to your property to read your meter. The City reads meters on a quarterly basis. In the event that a read cannot be taken, a form will be left at the property requesting that an appointment be made to make any necessary repairs.

Is outside water usage included in sewer consumption charges?

Sewer Charges are based on the lesser of your current bill water usage or your Winter Quarter bill water usage; therefore, outside summer watering should not affect your sewer charge. If you receive a bill that has higher than usual sewer charges, please contact utility billing at 763-493-8185 so that we may review your account information.

What about Recycling?

Recycling is easy. Curbside recycling is collected every other week the same day as your garbage collection in a city provided container. Roll your cart to the end of your driveway by 6:30 a.m. on your collection day. Make sure it is at least 3 feet from any object so the automated collection truck can pick it up. The City of Brooklyn Park uses a single sort option-you do not need to separate glass, metal cans, plastic bottles (with narrow necks) or paper (news, office, junk mail, magazines, food and soda packaging, telephone books, cardboard). 

The fee for recycling collection service is established by the city and collected from every residential property (both occupied and vacant) and appears on your utility bill as a service fee. This fee pays for bi-weekly curbside collection, bi-annual special curbside collections, yard waste drop off site, public education and administrative costs.

The City of Brooklyn Park and the "Hennepin Recycling Group" (Crystal, New Hope and Brooklyn Center) have entered into a joint agreement for administration of the recycling and waste materials management programs for all four cities. Recycling Services are provided to all curbside residential households by one company operating under contract, to provide services according to standards established in the contract. The City of Brooklyn Park provides collection to all single-family, separate-entry households and to all apartment and multi-family units in its recycling contract. The "HRG" cities provide service to all single family separate/entry households and apartment buildings with eight or less units. All larger apartment/multifamily buildings are required to provide recycling services for their residents by using a private contractor. Please call 763-493-8006 for recycling questions or to request a recycling container.

Who do I contact for Garbage Services?

The City of Brooklyn Park does not provide Garbage Service. Following is a list of the haulers that service Brooklyn Park. Please call them for information on their rates and services.
 

Ace	763-427-3110
BFI	763-784-2104
Randy's	763-479-3335
T & L	763-560-3610
Walters	763-780-8464
Walz Bros.	763-493-3474
Waste Mgmt.	952-890-1100

What if my property is vacant? (for sale/rent or vacant seasonally)

The account remains in the property owner’s name if the property is vacant and the expense remains the property owner’s responsibility. If your property will be vacant for an extended time, please call utility billing (763-493-8185) to avoid problems with estimated bills. If heat to the property is shut off you will need to have the meter removed by the city service department to avoid freezing. If the heat will remain on during the vacancy you do not need to have the meter removed; however, it is recommended that you turn off your valves above and below the meter. 

We offer an “alternate address” service if you would like your statements mailed to you while you are gone. Please call utility billing for details (763-493-8185).

Questions about water main breaks or water main flushing?

If you see water bubbling to the ground surface, a water main break may have occurred. Please call either the utility department (763-493-8185) or operations and maintenance (763-493-8007).  The City will investigate the problem and repair it if it is on the City system. If the leak is not on the City system, it is the property owner’s responsibility to make necessary repairs.  Water mains are flushed in the spring. You may want to avoid doing laundry during this time, as the water may have some discoloration. It is recommended to not use discolored water for drinking or cooking purposes. You will be notified when water mains are going to be flushed.

What is your policy on Rental Property?

The City’s policy is to keep the account in the property owner’s name. In the event that the tenant does not keep the account current, it becomes the property owner’s responsibility. 

A copy of the statement can also be mailed to the tenant at the service address, addressed as occupant. The original statement will be mailed to the property owner’s address to assist the owner in monitoring the account. We also offer final reads to rental property owners to assist with determining when one tenant’s responsibility ends and the other begins. There is no charge for final readings.  Readings are done from outside of the property.

A rental license is required; please call 763-493-8182 for more information.

What is your Sprinkling policy and do you have watering bans?

To help conserve water, the City has adopted an odd/even sprinkling policy during times of increased usage needs (usually May thru September). You should limit your outdoor water and sprinkling needs during this time, based on your address. (Even numbered properties can water on even numbered calendar days and odd numbered properties can water on odd numbered calendar days.)  If an actual water ban is adopted by the City, you will be notified via your quarterly statement and/or through local news media and/or City website.

Who do I call about water quality questions or hardness level for Brooklyn Park Water?

The department that can answer questions regarding water quality can be reached at 763-315-8410.

Who is responsible for repairs?

The City shall exclusively own and control the water meter and yoke to be used in the water system. All Valves and other plumbing are the responsibility of the property owner.

The water service from the house or structure to the curb box in the yard at the right-of-way line, are considered the property of the property owner. The City will perform curb box and curb stop repairs as needed.

The Sanitary sewer service from the home or structure to the property line, including the connection at the property line, are considered the property of the property owner.

Call 763-493-8185 for repair requests.

What do I do if I have a sewer backup?

Property owners should contact the Water & Sewer Division if they are experiencing a backup problem, before calling a sewer cleaning company.

Between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday call 763-493-8185.
After hours emergency please call 763-493-8222.

Utility Billing Contact information

Phone:  763-493-8185 Monday thru Friday (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
Email:  bputbill@brooklynpark.org  Accounts not current by mid-November are certified to Hennepin County to be collected with property taxes. Exact dates and information is mailed to each property owner in advance. Accounts not current by mid-November are certified to Hennepin County to be collected with property taxes. Exact dates and information is mailed to each property owner in advance.