Ask us a question
What are my payment options?
How does the Lake Como Sanitary District read my meter?
What is a billing unit?
How do I read my water meter?
How often are the meters read?
Is it time for your meter checkup?
What do the 'Service' codes on my water bill mean?
What is an Outdoor Usage Meter and how does it work?

Ask us a question
If you have a question that you would like answered or a suggestion for the staff or commission, please fill in the form below and submit it. We will try and answer your question and post it back here. If you would like to be e-mailed with the answer, then please enter your e-mail address in the form.

What are my payment options?
(1) You can mail your check to the District Office (click here for the address).
(2) You can pay using a major credit card either by calling 1-800-272-9829 or go to www.OfficialPayments.com.There will be an extra $3 charge for paying this way. The jurisdiction code is 6739.
(3) You can have your payment automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account. All you need to do is click here to open the form, print it, fill it out, attach a voided check and drop it off at the office or mail it to us (click here for the address). You need the free Adobe Reader to open the document.
(4) You can drop your check off at the office. There are two drop boxes available so you can drop off your payment after hours. The gold and black fire hydrant located at the street south of the District mailbox is actually a drop box and located there so that you don't have to leave your car. The hydrant is checked daily.
The second drop box is located on the front of the District building next to the front door. There is a small basket that catches your envelope and is also retrieved daily.

back to the top of the page

How does the Lake Como Sanitary District read my meter?
The homes and businesses in the Lake Como Sanitary District have Invensys water meters with radio read units called MXUs. The water meter is wired into the radio unit which sits dormant until we activate the radio. Then the radio reads the meter and sends the reading back to the receiver unit. The MXU's are typically mounted in the basement or on the side of the house.

back to the top of the page

What is a billing unit?
One billing unit equals 1,000 gallons. On the average one adult will use 1,500 gallons per month.

back to the top of the page

How do I read my water meter?
To read the meter you would read the first four numbers going from left to right.

back to the top of the page

How often are the meters read?
The Lake Como Sanitary District reads meters on a monthly basis.

back to the top of the page

Is it time for your meter checkup?
Don't be surprised if the Lake Como Sanitary District sends you a notice to replace your water meter.

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission, which regulates the water utility, mandates that all meters be tested for accuracy. Typical residential style meters must be tested once every ten (10) years. Larger meters require a more frequent testing schedule. This is done to ensure that your usage is correct and represents a fair billing. A typical meter change takes approximately thirty (30) minutes.

Helpful hints to make exchange go smoothly: Water meters are generally located in the basement to prevent freezing in the winter. Keep the area around your meter clear for easy access. Keep the valves on both sides of the meter in good operating condition. Remember that these valves are your property and may be needed in an emergency to shut off the water due to a broken fixture or pipe. Our meter personnel will also need to shut off your water to exchange the meter, so make sure that everyone in your family will be aware of the temporary outage.

The Lake Como Sanitary District appreciates your cooperation to allow us to exchange the meter in your home or business.

back to the top of the page

What do the 'Service' codes on my water bill mean?
The 'Service' codes are identified on the back of your bill and have the following meanings:

• RC - Reconnection Charge: charge for turning your water back on - $25 if turned on during business hours and $40 otherwise.
• NSF - Returned Check Fee: fee charged if your payment is bounced - $30.
• WA - Water Volume: this is the variable charge for water usage and is $1.80 per 1,000 gallons as shown by your current meter reading minus your reading last month.
• SW - Sewer Volume: this is the variable charge for sewer usage and is $3.98 per 1,000 gallons as calculated for your water volume unless you have a second meter for exterior water usage in which case that reading will be subtracted from it.
• WF - Water Fixed Charge: this is a fixed monthly charge for being hooked up to the water system and is based on the size of meter that you have - $16 for a 5/8" or 3/4" meter and $20 for a 1" meter.
• SF - Sewer Fixed Charge: this is a fixed monthly charge for being hooked up to the sewer system and is $22.40.
• SWS - Standby Water Service: this is a fixed monthly charge for vacant parcels that have water access and is based on the frontage (in feet) that your property has as follows:
  • 20-39 ft - $2
  • 40-59 ft - $4
  • 60-79 ft - $6
  • 80-299 ft - $8
  • 300-449 ft - $16
  • 450-599 ft - $24
  • 600-749 ft - $32
  • 750-899 ft - $40
• SSS - Standby Sewer Service: this is a fixed monthly charge for vacant parcels that have sewer access and is based on the frontage (in feet) that your property has as follows:
  • 20-39 ft - $4.62
  • 40-59 ft - $9.24
  • 60-79 ft - $13.86
  • 80-299 ft - $18.48
  • 300 ft+ - $18.48 per 15,000 square feet of area

What is an Outdoor Usage Meter and how does it work?
An Outdoor Usage Meter is a secondary meter that connects to your outdoor spigot to measure how much water you use outdoors. This usage is subtracted from your sewer charge on your monthly bill. There is a $25 charge for the season for this meter. If you plan on using a lot of water to water your lawn and gardens, to wash vehicles, etc., then it may be worth getting the meter as the seasonal charge should be offset by the savings on your monthly sewer charge. Your past bills should be a good guide for determining whether it will be worth it or not.

back to the top of the page

Lake Como Sanitary District
N3420 Dell Place
Lake Geneva, WI 53147

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Closed on Holidays

For Service Changes or Information:
262-248-2077