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Utilities Department

Show All Answers

1. Where is your office located, and what are your hours?

The Utilities Office is located at:
Chapin Town Hall
157 NW Columbia Avenue
Chapin, SC 29036

Our office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2. Why is my bill higher for water and sewer service?

Just a reminder to our Chapin sewer customers - your bill will increase February 1, 2018. Town Council approved a $2.50 rate increase for in-town customers and a $7.50 rate increase for out of town customers. If you have automatic bank draft you will need to adjust your draft to reflect the new rate increase. Thank you!

3. If I have a question regarding my bill or a problem with my water or sewer service, who do I call?

Call Customer Service at 803-345-0416 during normal business hours (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.), or for after-hours service call 803-605-9711.

4. If I have an emergency with my water/sewer service after hours, who do I call?

Call 803-605-9711, and our on-call utility staff member will contact you as soon as possible following receipt of a maintenance call.

5. Is there a drop box for after hours?

Yes, it is located at Town Hall in the drive-through window area, located at the left side of the building.

6. How do I apply for water/sewer service and what do I need to bring?

All customers are required to come to our office, complete the appropriate paperwork, and pay the required fee. We do require copies of your lease or closing statement as well as your driver's license. The applications for service and sewer service agreement can be found on our Apply for Utilities Service Page.

7. How long will it take to get my service on at an existing location?

If you are in our office by 2:30 p.m., we can get your service on for you that day.

8. When will I receive my bill?

The bill will be mailed before the 15th of each month. Payment is due by the 30th of each month.

9. How are my bills calculated?

Water meters are read monthly and usage is billed at a flat rate. The base rates and cost per gallon is determined by several factors. Sewer service is billed as a flat fee and is not based on the amount of water you use. For more information, view our Schedule of Utility Rates and Fees.

10. If you provide me with sewer service only, how is the bill calculated?

Your sewer rate is a flat fee and is not based on the amount of water you use.

11. What are my payment options?

You may pay by mail, in person at Town Hall, by phone at 1-800-830-9058, or online. You may also sign up for an automatic bank draft service. For more information, view our Pay Bills Page.

12. Are my payments posted daily?

Payments are posted the day that we receive them in the mail. If payment is placed in the drop box after 9 a.m., it will be posted the next business day. Online payments are posted when received; however, there can be a delay of 12 - 36 hours before payment is received in our office.

13. When are payments due and do you have penalties?

Payments are due by the 30th of each month. Non-payment within three days from the due date will be subject to a $5 penalty. If any bills remain unpaid 60 days from the due date, all service will be disconnected, and will remain disconnected until all bills have been paid in full, along with a re-connection fee. When service has been disconnected, a personal check will not be accepted.

14. If I have a water leak, do you give adjustments?

Yes, we do give leak adjustments after receiving the request in writing from the customer. The request may be a copy of a plumber's bill or a copy of the receipt for materials used. We do request that the customer keep the account current until any adjustment is made. We generally make adjustments after usage comes back to a normal range to help ensure that the leak has been corrected.

15. Do you give adjustments for filling a pool?

No, but if you can calculate an approximate cost for filling the pool by using our Schedule of Rates and Fees below. The sewer portion of your bill is not affected by filling a pool.

Schedule of Utility Rates and Fees

16. Why do I have to pay Chapin for sewer and City of Columbia for water?

Chapin only owns and operates the water lines in the Amick’s Ferry Road area, starting at Bear Creek Road and on Columbia Avenue from Interstate 26 to the Chapin Chamber of Commerce. The City of Columbia owns and operates the remainder of the water lines serving Chapin customers. The entire sewer system is owned and operated by the Town.

17. What are the different types of sewer systems in Chapin?

- Gravity - All sewage flows from house into gravity sewer line.

- Letts Tank - Sewage flows from house into 2-compartment tank. Solids stay in tank and liquids flow into gravity sewer line. Solids should be pumped out every 3 to 5 years.

- Step or Letts with Pump - In this 2-tank system, sewage flows from house into 2-compartment tank. Solids stay in first tank, and liquids gravity into second tank which contains an effluent pump. Liquids are pumped into a sewer force main. Solids should be pumped out every 3 to 5 years.

- Grinder - In this 1-tank system, sewage flows from the house into a tank which has a grinder pump. All sewage is ground up and pumped into a sewer force main.