Backflow prevention device requirements
A backflow device is required to receive water at your property. If you've opted in for backflow maintenance a device will be included in your meter installation estimate. All water accounts must comply with backflow prevention protection. Visit our backflow maintenance page for more information.
How to calculate your future water bill
In 2018, monthly water use averaged 1300 cubic feet per residential account (1 cubic foot = 7.48 gallons). At $0.0161 per unit, this means customers could expect a difference of $20.91 per month depending on household use. PID customers can log in to their online accounts at mypidbill.com to view their water usage history or estimate their household’s water use at watercalculator.org.
Service Charge ($42.97 PER MONTH for residential)
+ Town Hydrant Fee ($1.00) PER MONTH
+ Quantity Charge ($0.0161 x number of cubic feet) 1 cubic foot = 7.48 gallons
= TOTAL BILL
BI-MONTHLY BILL EXAMPLE
$85.94 (FOR TWO MONTHS)
$ 2.00
+ $45.08 ($0.0161 x 2800 cubic feet used)
= $133.02
Calculate your household use
Paradise has used an automated metering system for almost a decade, reducing costs related to traditional meter reading and water resource management, and providing valuable household water-use information to customers.
The meters themselves will be brass analog meters attached to a battery-operated meter interface unit (MIU) which will communicate water use data to the PID office via the AMI network. Customers will have access to near-realtime water use data, allowing for setting water-use budgets and leak alerts. The more resilient meter design will include cement meter boxes instead of plastic. MIUs will use long-lasting batteries (up to 10 years) and the AMI network infrastructure will include back-up batteries making it more resilient against public safety power shutoffs.
What is a water meter?
A water meter is a device that measures the amount of water delivered to your property. PID's meters measure water in cubic feet. One cubic foot equals 7.48 gallons.
Meters are usually located near the street in front of your home or business and are protected within a green plastic or concrete box with a lid.
PID meters also have a disc-shaped antenna attached to the lid or located near the box. This antenna is connected to the analog meter with a thick wire and is used to electronically transmit the meter read to our data center each day.
To open the meter box, use a long screwdriver to remove the lid. Be careful not to disconnect the antenna from the meter inside the box. Be cautious of insects or other small animals that may have taken up residence inside the box.
Keep it trimmed with a 3-foot clearance - You'll be able to turn off your water meter quickly in the event of an emergency if you can easily find it. Know where your water meter is and cut the plants back every month or so.
The district implemented its automatic meter reading (AMR) system in 2012. Water meters are not regularly visited by PID employees - meaning the plants may have grown up around the meters, making them hard to spot. In case of an emergency, knowing where the meter is and being able to quickly access it will make it much easier to turn off the property's water at the meter, if necessary.
If you're not sure where your water meter is, give our customer service specialits a call at 877-4971. They can help guide you to the right location.
Need to file a claim with PID regarding your water meter?
For step-by-step instructions and submission guidance, visit our File a Claim page HERE for further assistance.
Understanding your meter
PID uses analog meters
- The sweep hand - moves clockwise around the dial. One rotation = one cubic foot of usage.
- The leak indicator - makes it easy to spot a small leak. This triangle (or gear on some meters) will turn even when the sweep hand is moving too slowly to recognize movement.
The meter register works the same as the odometer in your car.
You can record and compare meter readings to determine water used during a period in time.
Three ways to use your meter to determine if you have a leak
Make sure everyone in the home knows not to use water while you're doing your investigation. Ensure laundry and dish-washing machines are not running.
- Sweep hand - if the sweep hand is moving you have a leak.
- Leak indicator - if the leak indicator is turning you have a leak.
- Take meter readings to determine a very slow leak.
- Read your water meter and record the numbers on the register (call this "Read 1").
- Wait 20 minutes.
- Read your meter again and record these numbers (call this "Read 2").
- Subtract Read 1 from Read 2.
- If the cubic feet are greater than zero you have a leak.
[No form id or name provided!]
New Owners
Upon sale, sellers must verify the water account status has been disclosed to the buyer.
Buyers can submit the water status request form to PID by fax, email, or at the office.
Form Submittal Instructions
1. Fill out the top 1/3 of the form and submit to PID
- Fax: (530)876-0483
- Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Office: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - 6332 Clark Road, Paradise, CA 95969
2. PID will complete the middle form and return it to the buyer.
3. Buyer then Initials and signs that they have received the water status.
4. Submit the signed form to your escrow agent.
Upon completion: The escrow agent will submit the form with the final demand and the water account will automatically be transferred from seller to buyer. All amounts due on the seller's account will be paid through escrow. In the event amounts due were not paid, the balance may be transferred to the new owner.
pdf
Download the new escrow form
(883 KB)
Billing Information for Paradise Residents
Ready to Serve Rate $21.49 per month for customers not currently using water but who will need water on their lot in the future.
Ready to Serve with Occasional use - Gain occasional access to water for ready-to-serve rate customers. With a metered account and backflow protection. We can now leave your inactive meter unlocked and ready for you to use if needed to support your burn permit requirements and occasional maintenance. You'll pay the active rate ($42.97) only in the months you use water. Contact PID for more information.
Active Rate $42.97 per month For customers who use water regularly. The active rate for residential service is $42.97 per month plus water charges used. If you are using water but don't see the usage charge on your bill, it may be because your meter has not yet been installed. Contact PID at 530-877-4971 with questions. See our rates page for business rates.
Reconnecting a Disconnected Account:
Returning property owners are responsible for the first $2000.00 of the actual cost to reconnect their service including meter and appurtenances, service lateral replacement, and backflow prevention assembly upon request for water service on their property. Additionally, there are reduced capacity fees due at the time of account reconnect. Contact our customer service team at 530-877-4971 to get an estimate for your reconnect.
Costs for returning to service from disconnected status:
Ready-to-serve rate:
- Pay the reconnect capacity fee (increases annually until 2027) (
pdf
see annual price increase schedule
(81 KB)
).
- Pay monthly ready-to-serve rate: $21.49 monthly
- No need to pay the cost of meter installation until you're ready for water service.
Active water service:
- Pay $2000.00 for meter installation: Service lateral install, meter, backflow prevention assembly
- Choose your backflow maintenance plan. (more info here)
- Pay the reconnect capacity fee (increases annually until 2027) (
pdf
see annual price increase schedule
(81 KB)
).
- Pay monthly ready-to-serve rate: $42.97 plus water charges monthly
Other Service Fees
Backflow prevention device
Residential Fire-flow Test
General Information
Property owners
How do I open a new account?
If you have recently purchased a home AND went through a local title company, you may already have an account with PID. Please contact the District office at 530-877-4971 if you would like to verify that you have an open account with us.
What can I do to cancel the water service?
Because PID bills directly to the owner of a property, a water service is never canceled unless there is a transfer of ownership or the owner requests the meter be permanently removed. If a local title company is used, the transfer is done automatically. However, in the case where a private transfer has occurred, or you are using a title company outside of Paradise, we will require a copy of the recorded document naming the current owner. If you are going through a foreclosure, the District will require the name of the financial institute foreclosing and the foreclosure document.
Unless a meter is permanently removed (allowed in cases of lot merge where the meter service would be duplicated), water service is subject to a readiness-to-serve fee. The fee for an unused and sealed meter is half the regular monthly service charge and a one-time $20.00 fee to seal the meter. Only the owner of the property can request that the meter be sealed. Contact the District office to discuss options for permanently discontinuing service.
How do I change the name on my water account?
Your account name must match the name recorded with Butte County as the owner of the property. If you have recently changed your name, or have named another person as a joint tenant, the District will change its records when a copy of the recorded document showing the change is brought to the District office.
Who can authorize changes in my water services?
Only the property owners are allowed to make changes to the water services, however if you wish to have another person authorize changes in your water service, we will require a signed agreement from you the owner, and the person named to authorize any arrangements made. If you are a person caring for a loved one, and in possession of a power of attorney document, you may bring the documentation to the District office, and we will change our records accordingly.
document
Property Management authorization form
(143 KB)
Want to send a bill to your tenant? Please fill out and return our
document
duplicate bill authorization form.
(146 KB)
Tenants & property managers
Can a property manager make decisions regarding my water service?
In the case where an owner of a property is contracted with a property manager, there must also be a signed agreement made with PID authorizing the manager to make water decisions. Please contact the District office for the contract agreement.
Are you a tenant?
Tenants will need to have the property owner/ property managers contact PID to get you signed up to receive copies of the water bill. Once an owner has authorized us to send you a bill you can contact the PID office to change your mailing address or to sign up for e-bills.
New meter orders for lots that have never received water service
Please contact our Customer Service Representatives to begin the process of ordering your meter.
Click here to view meter installation charges according to meter size.
Construction Water (For Contractors)
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Construction meters available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To apply, contact Paradise Irrigation District at 530-877-4971.
Requirements
- $2,000.00 Deposit
- Liability Insurance with min $1,000,000.00 coverage
- Signed Construction Water Agreement
- Town of Paradise Hydrant Use Permit ($31.97)
Cost
- $229.03 monthly, plus
- $4.83 per 100 cubic feet
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[No form id or name provided!]
