Public Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the oldest plot date recorded?

The oldest plot dates to 1853.

 

How much wastewater can the Eastside WWTP treat?  

The Eastside WWTP is currently designed to treat 26.0 million gallons per day of wastewater, and serves approximately 28,000 customers.

 

How much wastewater can the Westside WWTP treat?

The Westside WWTP is designed to treat 6.2 million gallons per day of wastewater, and serves approximately 10,000 customers.

 

What is the smell emanating from the plant?

The smell is biodegradation of organics in wastewater. Biodegradation of organics is a natural occurring process. The smell is much greater around a wastewater plant because of the large volume of waste, handled on a daily basis.

 

Do we drink that water?

Yes, eventually! The water that we put back into the environment will be somebody else’s drinking water. Once the Randleman Dam Lake is finished, several municipalities will be treating the water at other water treatment facilities before sending it out to the public for consumption.

 

Which day is my garbage collection day?

Your collection day depends on the location of your residence. To determine the day your refuse will be collected, please call our 24 hour customer service department at 336-883-3111.

Please note that the collection schedule is subject to change during observed holidays. You may also view Collection Schedule for additional information.

 

How do I dispose of paint, batteries or other chemicals?

These items are considered hazardous waste and cannot be collected by our garbage trucks. You may dispose of them at the household hazardous waste collection center at 2750 Patterson St., Greensboro, NC. The center is open Wednesday – Friday from 10 am. to 6 pm., and on Saturday from 8 am. to 2 pm.

For more information, please call our 24 hour customer service department at 336-883-3111.

Please also view Household Hazardous Waste for additional information.

 

How do I dispose of an appliance?

Our bulky item boom truck will pick up and discard appliances from your curbside on your regular collection day. Have it at the curb before 7:00am on the day of collection.

Please also view Bulk Trash Pick-up for additional information.

 

How should I prepare my yard waste to be sure it is picked up?

Yard waste can be prepared in one of four ways:

Place the waste in your yard waste totter.

Bag the yard waste in clear transparent plastic bags. The total weight of the waste must not exceed 50 pounds.

Tie limbs and shrubbery in bundles not to exceed 50 pounds and 4 feet in length.

Place yard waste in a cardboard box. The total weight of the waste and box must not exceed 50 pounds.

 

Have the yard waste at the curb before 7:00am on the day of collection. Please also view Yard Waste for additional information.

 

Can you test my well water?

Yes, if your well is in the located within City of High Point corporate limits. Please call our 24 hour customer service department at 336-883-3111 to request this service.

 

Where is the City of High Point’s compost facility located?

The Ingleside Compost Facility is located at 3001 Ingleside Drive and is open Monday thru Friday from 9:00am -4:00pm, and Saturday from 9:00am -1:00pm. Call 336-883-3111 for directions to the compost facility.

What happens to the mulch and compost?

Mulch is sold to the public for $17 a ton and compost and engineered soil costs $22 per ton.

 

Where is the City of High Point’s landfill located?

The Kersey Valley Landfill, is located at 3748 E. Kivett Drive and is open Monday thru Friday from 7:30 am. to 4:30 pm. and Saturday for residential customers from 7:30 am. to 1:00 pm. Call 336-883-3111 for directions to the landfill.

Commercial and city garbage trucks drive across the scales when they enter the landfill and when they leave to determine the weight of their loads. A tipping fee of $36 per ton is assessed. In 2002, an average of 700 tons per day was brought to the landfill.

 

What is storm water runoff?

Storm water runoff is the rain or melted snow that runs off streets, rooftops, parking lots, lawns and vacant lots. Storm water runoff can cause flooding and also water quality problems. The runoff causes water quality problems when it picks up oil, grease, and other pollutants and carries them directly into the storm water drain system. This runoff does not go to a treatment plant, but drains directly to a nearby stream or lake.

 

What is in ERU and how is my storm water fee calculated?

Residential Customers:

All residential customers are charged for an average of 2,588 square feet of impervious surfaces (one equivalent residential unit or ERU). The residential charge for one ERU is $2.00 per month.

Commercial Customers:

The impervious surfaces for each property in the City are measured using aerial photography and geographical information systems technology. The amount of impervious surfaces is divided by the equivalent residential unit (ERU) of 2,588 square feet and multiplied by $2.00 per month.

Example: 100,000 sqft / 2588 sqft= 38.64 ERU 38.64 ERU X $2.00 per month = $77.28 per month for the storm water utility fee

 

What is considered impervious surface area (ISA)?

Any area composed of any material that impedes or prevents natural infiltration of water into the soil. Impervious surface area shall include but is not limited to roofs, decks, driveways, patios, sidewalks, parking areas, tennis courts, concrete or asphalt streets, crushed stone and gravel surfaces.

 

Is the storm water fee a tax?

No, The storm water fee is a utility like your gas, electric, water, and sewer.

 

Is the City charging residents for rain?

No, residents are not being charged for rain. The revenue generated from the storm water utility fee is used to implement the Storm water Management Improvement Program and to implement programs that reduce or eliminate storm water pollution as required by Federal NPDES storm water regulations. It has been demonstrated scientifically that runoff and pollution from a property increases as the amount of impervious surface area on that property increases.

 

It has been demonstrated scientifically that runoff and pollution from a property increases as the amount of impervious surface area on that property increases.

 

How can I reduce my storm water fee?

Storm water fee credits are available to commercial and industrial properties that have on-site storm water controls. Please refer to Storm water Fee Credit Application and Storm water Fee Credit Manual for additional information.

 

How do I determine if I'm eligible for City assistance with drainage problems on private property?

Please call our 24 hour customer service department at 336-883-3111 to request this service.

Please view the Storm water Policy and Petition Form for additional information.

 

What if I disagree with the amount of ISA that was measured on my property?

To register a complaint about the amount of impervious surface that has been billed to a customer, the property owner must contact the City of High Point Customer Service Department at 336-883-3111.

A staff member will make a site visit to verify the amount of impervious surface area. If the findings are different from what was billed, the bill will be adjusted (increased or decreased) to reflect the proper amount. Documentation of impervious surface area calculations will be provided upon request.

 

Who do I contact if I have a storm water problem on my property?

The Street Maintenance Division only maintains storm water systems within the public right-of-way.

Please call our 24 hour customer service department at 336-883-3111 to request Storm water Services staff investigate the problem.

 

When will the City of High Point begin collecting leaves?

The schedule for loose leaf collection is typically advertised in early November. Leaves are collected based on your regularly scheduled garbage collection day. Please periodically check the Public Services web site for information during the Autumn months. If you need additional information, please call the Customer Service Phone Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 336-883-3111, TDD 336-883-8517.

Please also view Loose Leaf Collection for additional information.

 

Which streets will be paved this year?

City maintained streets are assessed and given a Pavement Condition Rating (PCR). The PCR helps to determine which streets should be considered for asphalt resurfacing.

 

What chemicals do you add to the water and why?

Fluoride:                                Dental care

Caustic:                                 pH control (acidity and alkalinity)

Polyphosphate:                      Corrosion control

Bleach (chlorine):                    Disinfectant

Alum:                                     Promotes coagulation

 

Is the water High Point provides safe to drink?

Yes. We are regulated by the State and Federal government (EPA). The water is checked every 2 hours, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and a report of these results are sent to the North Carolina Division of Environment and Natural Resources - Public Water Supply Section (NCDENR - PWSS) monthly.

 

You may also view the City of High Point Consumer Water Report for additional information.

 

If my water is discolored, whom do I need to call?

Sometimes during a water main break, sediment can enter the water pipes. The water may look cloudy or muddy, but there is still chlorine in the system for disinfectant. You can report this occurrence to a Customer Service Representative by calling 336-883-3111.

 

Another source for discoloration may be rust that naturally forms in iron/steel pipes that is stirred up by pressure and/or flow variations, which are a result of water main breaks or hydrant testing.

 

What is the plant capacity of the Ward Water Filtration Plant?

The water filter plant is permitted to provide 24 million gallons of water per day. However, the average plant production is 13.5 million gallons of water per day.

 

What is a sanitary sewer?

This is the system that takes bathroom and other types of wastes to the sewage treatment plants to be treated. Unlike some cities, High Point has separate systems for sewage and rainwater. It is illegal to put sewage into the storm drain system or to put rainwater into the sanitary sewer.

 

How do I find out if water and sewer utilities are available in my area?

You may contact a Customer Service Representative by calling 336-883-3111 or visit the Engineering Services Department for information regarding water and sewer availability. The Engineering Services office is located in the Municipal Building at 211 South Hamilton Street.

 

The caller can expect a return call within five (5) business days from the date the call was received.

Information included in the response will be:

Approximate location of public water and/or sewer mains.

Whether annexation will be required to connect to public utilities.

Required fees.

 

My backflow prevention device is due for its annual inspection and testing. Whom do I contact?

The property owner is responsible to have this inspection and testing performed. A list of approved and certified testers is available at this link Backflow Testers.