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 Useful Tips

Protect Your Pipes in Cold Weather

Extreme cold weather can freeze meters and pipes. This can often lead to cracked pipes and costly repair bills. To protect your water meter and pipes, here are a few helpful guidelines:

þ   Insulate pipes located in or near outside walls, in the basement and in the garage.

þ   Close the stop and waste valves on outside faucets. After the valve is closed tightly, drain the outside piping and remove any hoses from outside faucets.

þ   If a pipe does freeze, you can use a hair dryer or heating pad to thaw it slowly. Another alternative is to wrap a cloth around the frozen pipe and soak it repeatedly with hot water. If, after a reasonable period of time these methods fail, call your plumber.

þ   If you reside in a manufactured home, be sure to protect the pipes and meters beneath your home. You can do this by insulating the water pipe several times with heat tape available at most hardware stores or installing a skirt beneath your home to shield pipes from wind and harsh winter elements.

Storing Water For Emergencies

Emergencies can happen at any time – tornado, flash flood, winter storm, hurricane, fire, hazardous materials spill. When a disaster strikes, there is little time to act. Protect yourself and your family by planning ahead. One of the most basic items you may need in a disaster preparedness kit is a supply of drinking water. Here’s what you should know about storing water for emergencies:

þ   Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation or sanitation).

þ   Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your household.

þ   People who are normally active should drink at least two quarts of water each day. That amount should be doubled if persons are working in hot environments or involved in intense physical activity. Children, nursing mothers and people who are ill may require more water.

þ   Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Plastic containers such as soft drink bottles are suitable. Refrain from using containers that may break or decompose, such as glass bottles or cardboard containers. List the storage date on the container and replace every six months. 

If in Doubt, Check for Identification

If you are wary of opening your door to a stranger, you’re not alone. But from time to time, our meter reader or service representative may need to gain entrance to your property to perform water service related repairs. The following guidelines are suggested to help you stay safe:

þ    Always check for proper identification before opening your door. Our employees carry photo identification and wear a recognizable uniform.

þ   Never pay cash at the door to persons claiming to work for the water company. Tidewater Utilities, Inc. does not collect cash outside the office under any circumstances nor does it provides refunds on a door-to-door basis.

þ    Report unusual behavior in your neighborhood. If you suspect someone is posing as a utility representative, notify the police immediately.

þ   If you are in doubt of the identity of our representative, please call our Customer Service Department at 1 (877) 720-9272 for verification.

Do You Know the Location of Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve?

In the event of a broken water line, leak or other emergency, it’s important that you and everyone in your home know the location of your main water shut-off valve. In most homes, the valve is located directly before the water meter or where the main water line enters your premises. Take the time to find it now, before an emergency situation arises. The shut-off valve can be used to control water flow in the event of a burst pipe or when plumbing repairs or installations are necessary.  

Could You Benefit from Second Party Notification?

Tidewater can send copies of your bill, or information related to your account, at your request, to a person you designate as a second party contact. This service is offered to customers who have designated another person to care for their bill payments. The second party incurs no obligation. Such notification, however, has proven helpful when customers have left their homes for extended periods due to sickness, travel or other circumstances. 

You must name the second party in advance. The second party will then receive a copy of all reminder notices; past due notices and any resulting shut-off notices so that they can take action to assist you. To register for this program, please call our Customer Service Department at 1 (877) 720-9272 or contact us in writing. 

You Can Help Protect Our Water Supplies

Paint, used motor oil or chemicals disposed of in the gutter or on the ground can wash down into streams and lakes and filter down through the soil to pollute the water supply.  Tidewater encourages you to contact Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) to learn how you can dispose of these substances properly and safely.