FAQs Regarding Your Bill

Do you accept payments over the telephone?
No. Payments can only be made by mail or in person.

By Mail:
South Farmingdale Water District
P.O. Box 3319
Farmingdale, NY 11735

In Person:
South Farmingdale Water District
40 Langdon Road
Farmingdale, NY

(516) 249-3330
(516) 249-9053 FAX

Langdon Road is located off Boundary Avenue near the Bethpage State Parkway. Look for the yellow flashing light.

The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Be sure to include your bill statement with your payments.

When is my next bill/payment due?
Each bill specifies the date of your next bill (Section E of statement). On your bill, there is an eight digit number, next to your account number, above your name. The first digit in that number indicates your group number. Once you locate that digit, refer to the billing schedule section for due dates.

Is there a "grace period” for payments?
There is no grace period. In keeping with New York State Town Law, the due date indicated on your bill is the absolute deadline.

Why didn't I receive a bill?
You should receive a bill every three months. If you didn't receive a bill within the scheduled timeframe, please call us at (516) 249-3330.

What is the average bill?
Each consumer's usage is determined by different variables, such as the number of people living in the home, size of lawn, size of house, etc. For this reason, we are unable to give a meaningful average.

Why is this bill higher than the last bill I received?
Many factors contribute to fluctuations in your water bill:

Weather fluctuations. Water consumption changes from one season to the next. For an accurate comparison, examine bills from corresponding periods (August ’01 vs. August ’00).

Have living arrangements changed? Water consumption will increase if there are more people living in the residence. Has there been an apartment added on to the residence?

Check for leaks. Dripping faucets inside and outside are obvious sources, but look for other less visible signs as well. Start in the bathroom. Listen for hissing noises around the toilet, which indicate a shut-off valve is leaking. These things add up. For example, a hole that's 1/16" wide can leak as much as 74,000 gallons of water in 90 days. That translates to $124.20 (at current billing rate) every three months.

How do I detect a leak?
There are many ways to determine if you have a water leak on your property or in your house. Look at the flow indicator (black triangle) on your water meter. If it's moving, and no water is on in your home, you have a leak. Look for signs of pooling around sprinkler heads. Are the faucet heads dripping? An outside hose or faucet mistakenly left dribbling away can waste thousands of gallons of water over the course of the summer.

Check your inside sinks and faucets for drips. Check your toilet. Do you have to jiggle the handle to stop it from running? Most toilet leaks occur at the overflow pipe or at the plunger ball inside the tank. To locate a toilet leak, take the tank lid off and flush. The water level should come up to about a half-inch or so below the overflow pipe. Adjust the float level control screw, if necessary, so the valve shuts off the water at that level. If the valve itself is leaking, you may need a plumber to fix it.

To detect a silent leak in your toilet, you can test it by putting 10 drops of food coloring in the tank. Don't flush for several hours. If the colored water shows up in the bowl, the tank is leaking. If you do suspect a leak we recommend calling a plumber for assistance.

How do I read my water meter?
Locate the number just above the word “GALLONS.” The first four digits (reading left to right) indicate the number of gallons that have been used.

Reminder: You may confirm the presence of a leak by checking the flow indicator (black triangle) on the meter. If it's moving, and no water is on in your home, you have a leak.

I'm installing a sprinkler system, is there anything I need to do?
Have your sprinkler system installed by a professional. And remember that a backflow prevention device must be included within that installation.
See backflow.

Are watering regulations still in effect?
Yes, water restrictions are in effect throughout the year. According to Nassau County Code, you may not water your lawn between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Check your calendar too. We follow an odd/even system, which means watering may be done only on even days if your street address is an even number, and on odd days if your address is an odd number. Non-compliance can lead to a fine.

I'm selling my house, what do I need to do to close out my account?
You will need to call our office at (516) 249-3330. Have the following information ready:

• Account #
• Service Address
• Seller’s Name
• Seller’s Attorney’s Name, Phone Number and Address
• Seller’s Forwarding Address
• Purchaser’s Name
• Purchaser’s Attorney’s Name, Phone Number and Address

You will need to make an appointment with us for a final meter reading and inspection. There is a service charge for a final reading.

How do I turn on service (residential/commercial)?
You should call the office at (516) 249-3330. A minimal charge may apply. However, if a house is being sold, water is usually never turned off.

Is there a deposit?
Fees are associated with new, non-existing service. For more information, you may call our office at (516) 249-3330.

When will service be activated?
Service is turned on as soon as all requirements are met.