Contact: Bill Crabtree
Telephone: 919-554-6196 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
***POSTED JUNE 24, 2005***
WAKE FOREST AND RALEIGH TO MERGE WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS
WAKE FOREST, NC - June 24, 2005 – On July 1 the Town of Wake Forest and the City of Raleigh will merge their water and sewer systems.
In accordance with the regional utility plan, the City of Raleigh will assume sole responsibility for operating, maintaining, improving and expanding the water and wastewater collection system that serves the Town of Wake Forest. The two municipalities will work together to refine a schedule of upgrades and improvements to the Town of Wake Forest’s utility system.
The City of Raleigh will own and operate the water and wastewater system that provides service to residents within the urban service area designated for the Town of Wake Forest. The Town will retain authority concerning when and where new water and sewer services can be extended to support growth and development within its planning and zoning jurisdiction, subject to conditions in the inter-local agreement.
Although the City of Raleigh will begin billing all water and sewer accounts formerly billed by the Town of Wake Forest, customers’ water and sewer rates will remain the same. The City of Raleigh will continue to bill all Town of Wake Forest water and sewer accounts every month. All other City of Raleigh water and sewer accounts – excluding the Town of Wake Forest service area – will continue to be billed every other month.
The last bill from the Town of Wake Forest will be issued during the month of June. Town of Wake Forest customers must pay their June bill at Wake Forest and will continue receiving a water/sewer bill from the Town until the outstanding balance of their last bill is paid in full.
Effective July 1, the City of Raleigh will begin billing Town of Wake Forest customers. Payments to the City of Raleigh should be mailed as specified on the City of Raleigh bill. Wake Forest residents may continue to make water/sewer bill payments in person at the Wake Forest Town Hall.
One notable policy difference between Raleigh and Wake Forest pertains to sewer service maintenance. According to Raleigh’s policy, which becomes effective in Wake Forest July 1, each customer must keep his or her sewer service clear and flowing all the way to the public main.
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For more information, contact Drew Brown, Customer Service Supervisor, Town of Wake Forest at (919) 554-6100.