Show All Answers

1. What do I do if I need my water shut off?

Contact our team at 952-895-4550 or pw@burnsvillemn.gov to arrange an appointment. Please note that this is only for city-owned curb stops. For private curb stops, we can locate and mark the location for a fee (refer to the City’s annual fees and charges schedule). However, the property owner remains responsible for turning the curb stop on or off.

For shut-offs of City-owned curb stops, we request a one business day notice for water shut-off or turn-on requests. This allows time for staff to verify the operation and location of your outside shut-off. There is a fee for water service turn-on/turn-off requests which can be found in the City’s annual fees and charges schedule. Please note, additional charges may apply for after-hours service calls. 

2. I have a private water or sewer line, who do I contact for repairs?

If you are served by a private water/well, sewer or other non-city provided utility, you may use a contractor of your choice for repairs, including curb stops, valves and hydrant repairs. 

Need help getting started? Reach out to our Public Works team at pw@burnsvillemn.gov or 952-895-4550.

3. Is discolored water a health hazard?

No, discolored water is most likely caused by minerals in the water. To address this issue, try running cold water in a bathtub or basement wash sink until the water runs clear. 

Additionally, the City of Burnsville not only meets but exceeds regulatory standards for water quality. Regular tests and monitoring are conducted to related to water clarity. Discoloration is likely attributed to the buildup of iron and manganese within the pipes.

4. What are the regulations for irrigation?

To promote water conservation during the summer months, the City of Burnsville has implemented an odd-even day watering policy from April 1 to September 30 each year. As part of this policy, no lawn or garden sprinkling or other irrigation activities are permitted between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. regardless of the day of the week. Not watering during the peak sun of the day helps prevent excessive water loss due to evaporation and applies to all properties in the City. 

View restriction details

5. What should I do if there is a sewer blockage or backup?

In case of a sewer blockage or backup, immediately stop using all water in the building. 

Call 9-1-1, regardless of the time of day, as a sewer backup is considered an emergency. 

The City of Burnsville will dispatch staff to inspect the City’s sewer main. If no issues are found in the City's system, you will be notified and need contact a professional plumber or drain cleaning service as the cause of the backup is likely in the sanitary sewer service line between the city main and property. Please note, property owners are responsible for fixing issues in the sewer lateral, from the building to the City's sewer main, as that line is privately owned and not city-responsibility. Check with your insurer for possible coverage of sewer backups.

6. Who is responsible for maintenance and repairs to the water and sanitary sewer system?

The responsibility of maintenance and repairs is separated by ownership. 

The water and sanitary sewer system ownership in the City of Burnsville is as follows: 

City Ownership:

Water System:

- The City owns the water shutoff in your yard within the right of way, typically located about 10 feet behind the City-owned curb
 - The City also owns the water service line between the shutoff and the water main in the street
- Inside your home, the City owns ONLY the water meter

 

Sanitary Sewer System:

- The City owns the sanitary sewer main in the street

Property Owner Ownership:

Water System:

- Outside your home, the property owner owns and is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the water service line on the house side of the water shutoff in your yard and into your home
 - Inside your home, the property owner owns and is responsible for the service line entering the home, including before the water meter, as well as all the internal plumbing. This also includes the meter setter, couplers, piping, pressure regulating valve, and isolation valves.

Sanitary Sewer System:

- Outside your home, the property owner owns and is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the entire sanitary sewer service line, including the connection to the City sewer main in the street
 - Inside your home, the sanitary sewer service is considered part of the home's plumbing system and is the responsibility of the owner for maintenance, repair, and replacement

*Please be aware this is only a guideline for residential single-family homes. Other property types may vary. If you have any questions, contact our team at pw@burnsvillemn.gov or 952-895-4550.

7. Water is leaking near the water meter

If you notice water leaking near the meter, it's essential to determine the source of the leak. If the issue lies with the water meter connections or surrounding plumbing, the responsibility for repairs falls on the property owner. 

Components such as the meter setter, couplers, pressure regulating valve, isolation valves, and piping before and after the meter are considered part of the property's plumbing system. Therefore, maintenance, repair, and replacement of these elements are the property owner's responsibility.

The City will repair the water meter, but only if the meter itself is leaking. If a City staff member investigates and discovers that the meter is not the source of the leak, a service call fee may be charged to your water bill. If you have any questions or to schedule a service call, contact our team at pw@burnsvillemn.gov or 952-895-4550.

Meter valve information 

8. I am experiencing difficulties with water pressure

Before contacting the City when experiencing abnormally low water pressure, follow these tips to troubleshoot potential causes. First, try bypassing the water softener. Second, check for a clogged filtration system (including filters). Finally, ensuring valves along the plumbing lines are open. From time to time, when internal work on a plumbing system occurs, the valves are not re-opened to their normal operating position. 

If after checking these tips, the issue persists, it may be a problem with the Pressure Reducing/Regulating Valve (PRV). For high water pressure, use a water pressure gauge to check the pressure in your home. If the water pressure is over 75 psi, adjust or replace the PRV by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, a  screw on the PRV is adjusted to decrease or increase water pressure. The target pressure range in a residential property is  50-70 psi. If following the manufacturer’s instructions for adjusting the PRV does not work, replace the PRV.

If you are unable to identify the source of the problem, it is best to contact a plumber for further assistance.

Tutorial 

Water and Sewer webpage

9. Will the City test my water?

The City regularly tests the water system at various locations in the water production and distribution process to verify the water meets all health and safety standards. View most recent water testing results 

If you would like to test the water in your property, below are a few private testing laboratories that can provide additional testing.

Twin City Water Clinic: 952-935-3556

UC Laboratory: 507-234-5835

Tri-City Water Clinic: 952-563-490

10. What are the colored flags in my yard for?

Flags are put out as a response to a Gopher State one call ticket (811). Anytime anyone is digging, the excavator is required by State Law to contact Gopher State One call so that underground utilities can be marked for safety.  The flags note the location of underground facilities in response to someone making a request to Gopher State One Call. 

Visit gopherstateonecall.com for more information, including searching for locate tickets in your area. 

11. How hard is the water in Burnsville?

Burnsville water is considered to be “hard” water and customers may find a water softener to be beneficial. The water hardness is 23-25 grains per gallon (gpg) or 393 milligrams per liter (mg/L). The iron is 0.05 parts per million (ppm) and the manganese is 0.02 ppm.