Providing excellent water, sanitary and storm utility services to our community is primary to the Utilities team. Our staff takes pride in delivering outstanding value. We strive to be responsible and creative stewards of the assets we manage. We work to be responsive to evolving community needs, while proactively protecting the environment.
Utilities Topics
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Utility Maintenance & Water Production
The Utilities Division has designated a customer service maintenance employee to deal directly with the residents of Eagan. During normal business hours (7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday), call Utilities at 651-675-5200. For all off-hour emergencies, please dial 9-1-1. Dispatchers will make every attempt to contact the appropriate Public Works personnel.
The Public Works Utilities Department, located at 3419 Coachman Point, welcomes your request for information or services at our Request Center as well. If you've had a good experience with the Department please share it with us. If not, please share that too. If you have a customer service request, we will be happy to help you. Your request will be handled by a Utilities representative. Tell us the information or services you need, or the nature of the complaint or compliment, and give us a way to reach you. We'll do our best to respond within 48 hours of receiving your message.
In Home Utility Maintenance Tips
Winter and Your Home
Here are some helpful tips from the Water Department on how to winterize your home.
To avoid frozen pipes this winter, here are a few drops of wisdom from the City of Eagan Water Department:
- Locate the water shut off valve for your outside water faucets by following the pipes leading from the outdoor spigot inside your home to the shut off valve (generally located in your basement) and turn the valve off. Leave the outside faucet on. Do this before cold weather sets in or pipes can freeze and break, causing damage.
- If you leave your sprinklers and hoses in the garage or storage sheds, be sure to drain the water from them to prevent cracking.
- Know where the water meter and main shut off valve are in your basement. This can be shut off to avoid water damage before leaving for a prolonged period of time.
- If water lines run through your garage, do not leave the garage door open in cold weather.
- Never use a blow torch or flame to thaw pipes. The use of a hot air dryer or even a light bulb over a period of time will solve the problem.
- If you experience a broken pipe or a frozen service line, shut off the valve next to the water meter, and contact the Water Department at 651-675-5200
Water Main Breaks
The cold Minnesota winters can be tough on water mains. As the ground freezes it can shift causing water main breaks. Water mains are also prone to breaks in the spring, when the ground starts to thaw. Although more common in the winter, water main breaks can occur year round.
Homes in an area where a water main break has occurred may experience low water pressure until the repairs are complete. The water supplies to an area may need to be shut off during repairs. City crews will knock on the doors of impacted homes prior to a shut-off.If a homeowner is not available at that time, information will be left at the front door of each impacted residence.
In cold temperatures, areas can become icy; so caution is urged near a water main break. Cones and/or safety signs will mark the areas where water is escaping and freezing. Site clean-up (salting, ice and snow removal as feasible) will be done once the break is repaired.
If you notice water bubbling out of the ground, behind curb, or through cracks in the pavement, please report it to the Utilities Division at 651-675-5200 between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. For after-hours, weekends and Holidays, call 911.
Frozen Services & Mains
When extended cold temperatures occur throughout winter, it can create unusually deep ground frost which begins to impact the underground pipes carrying drinking water into Eagan homes. This can cause frozen water service pipes in homes. Prevention can be as simple as letting a faucet run. Simply turning on a single faucet to a pencil-thin stream will most often keep a home's water service from freezing and typically will cost just a dollar or two per day in water used. If frozen pipes burst, it can be an expensive repair.
During these extremely cold winters, the City will continue to monitor water mains, hydrants, storm drains and other utility infrastructure as the exceptionally deep frost line will also likely impact these systems through the freezing and thawing cycle.
Reports of frozen water service or residents who suspect service line problems should call the Utilities staff at 651-675-5200 or register the issue through our Request Center.
Warning Signs & FAQs
- Monitor water pressure: a sudden drop in pressure could be a warning sign
- Monitor water temperature: Run the cold water at a faucet near the service (like a laundry tub) for 3-5 minutes, stick a thermometer in the water stream, and read the temperature. An outdoor thermometer, meat or food thermometer will work if it reads to 30 degrees or less.
- If under 40 degrees: monitor service closely as problem may be building
- If under 35 degrees: begin running a stream of water (1/4 gallon per hour or pencil width) to help keep line from fully freezing
- Keep in touch with neighbors: Often one home with a frozen water service signals a problem within the area
- I think my service line is frozen. What should I do?
- Contact the City staff.
- Does the City thaw service lines?
- No, but it is important to let the City know that your service line is frozen.
- Does the City give a credit or reimburse for the water if we let our facets run?
- No, the City does not give a discount for the water use. All water going through the water meter will be bill.
- How much does it cost to thaw a service line?
- The price varies by contractor. TheMinimum fees are running around $400.
- How much does it cost to Let It Run!?
- It will cost homeowners around $1 a day to Let It Run! It is the best insurance policy available.
- How can I tell if my water line is freezing?
- Some people have been given no warning at all. Some people see a drop in water pressure before the line freezes.
- If my neighbor freezes, should I run my water?
- The City strongly encourages you to let your water run if your neighbor or someone close by you freezes. The lack of movement can cause problems for neighborhoods.
Here is a Public Service Announcement from the Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association (MN AWWA) on Freeze Prevention - 1 minute - : Freeze Prevention Video
Reduce the Risk of Frozen Pipes
What you can do:
- Leave the cupboard doors open under your kitchen and bathroom
- Do not turn your furnace below 55° F
- Shut off and drain the pipes leading to outside faucets
- Wrap foam insulation around pipes most susceptible to freezing
- Seal air leaks in your home and garage
- If you are away, have someone check your home regularly
Sewer Backups
Guidelines for Sanitary Sewer Back-Ups
If you've ever experienced a sewer back-up in your home, you might have questions about them. This guide is intended to provide useful advice about clean-ups, insurance, home owner responsibilities and City obligations.
Property owners experiencing a sewer backup should call 651-675-5200 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday and 911after 3:30 p.m. and on weekends. Utility staff will be dispatched to assess the situation.
If it is determined that no blockage or restrictions exist in the City's sanitary sewer system, the property owner will be advised to contact a professional plumber or drain cleaning service to have the private sewer service inspected. The City cannot make a recommendation for drain cleaning services. A property owner may wish to obtain several estimates.
Property owners should be aware, if the problem is in the private sewer line, the property owner is responsible for correcting the problem. The owner of the property is responsible for maintaining and cleaning the sewer line from the building to the City's sewer main, including the connection on the sewer main.
Many homeowners' insurance policies exclude damage resulting from sewer backups. However, some insurance companies do provide separate sewer backup coverage. If you are concerned about the possibility of a sewer backup and want to insure that you are covered, the City urges you to check with your home insurer regarding the availability of sewer backup insurance.
Sewer Back-Up Causes
Unfortunately, sanitary sewer lines (whether City mains or private connectors) do occasionally clog or experience blockages. Typical causes can be tree roots, grease blockages, foreign objects (like diapers, cleaning rags, etc.), or broken lines.
Reduce the amount of Fats, Oils, and Grease entering the sanitary sewer system, preventing blockages, and reducing the risk of a sanitary sewer overflow into your home or business and others. See our Fats, Oils, and Grease page on steps you can take to reduce and prevent the risk of sanitary overflow.
How Should I Handle a Backup?
First...
- Protect hands and feet from contact with sewage
- Call the City of Eagan Utility Division at 651-675-5200 during normal working hours or 911 after hours
- Call your insurance agent
Document the Event
- Record the date and time of occurrence and where the back-up occurred: floor drain, lower level toilet, laundry tub, etc.
- Document the extent of damage done
- Take pictures of damages for your records
- Keep all receipts for all work done
Clean Up
Cleaning up after a sewer backup can take a lot of work; here are some guidelines.
- Soiled clothing and/or blankets
- Line-dry all articles before attempting to clean or treat them
- After drying, brush off loose dirt and debris
- Send “Dry Clean Only” items to a professional cleaner. Larger items may need a commercial size washer
- Wash clothes several times in cold water. Add up to a cup of color safe bleach per load of wash if it will not harm the clothing
- Rinse and dry all items as soon as possible
- Use a disinfectant such as Lysol
- Wet Carpeting
- Pull up waterlogged carpet immediately to prevent further floor damage.
- Carpet pads cannot be saved. Remove the pads and throw them away.
- Attempt to save carpets or throw rugs only if they would be every expensive to replace.
- Clean and dry your floors thoroughly before re-carpeting.
- Wet Floors or Hardware
- Remove any moisture or debris.
- Scrub floors and woodwork within 48 hours using a stiff brush, water, detergent and disinfectant.
- Allow all wood to dry thoroughly.
- Wet Furniture
- Discard upholstered furniture if it has been exposed to water or contaminated material.
- Clean, rinse and disinfect wood furniture.
- Place wood furniture outside in a shady area so it will dry slowly.
- Wet Appliances
- If your hot water heater became wet due to flooding, it should be discarded. The insulation typically can't be replaced and the burner or heating element might be damaged and could cause an explosion or fire if used. If in doubt, consult a service professional before using.
- If the furnace was flooded, have it inspected and serviced by a professional furnace service company before using.
- The main city lines will be opened/cleared.
- Remote cameras will be used to detect possible line failures or root intrusion.
- Upon notice of any defects, the City will review and evaluate the maintenance needs for main lines.
- The area will be researched for possible abnormalities in water discharges and cleaned again.
For more information on clean ups, visit the Minnesota Department of Health's Website.
Odd/Even Outdoor Watering
In Eagan, we've created an odd-even day watering plan designed to save water and help make our community a more sustainable place to live. These year-round requirements are similar to the system in most of our neighboring communities.
The watering restrictions apply to all properties within the City of Eagan. The only exceptions allowed are for new sod, seed, or landscaping for the first three weeks of planting.
Odd-even watering schedule basics: If the address ends in an odd number, like 311, outdoor watering is allowed on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, etc., day of the month. If the address ends in an even number, such as 310, outdoor watering is allowed on the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, etc., day of the month. This plan is in effect throughout the entire year.
It is required that all properties in Eagan follow this plan. Set your automatic sprinkling systems to the schedule too to help recognize and respect our limited natural resources. Please call 651-675-5350 for a recorded status report, or 651-675-5200 Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or TTY 651-454-8535 Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with questions.
Plumbing Backflow
Mailings suggesting residents need irrigation backflow prevention inspections annually, have caused many of you to call with questions. The answer can be complicated. While it may be a good idea to get a device inspected—if your device was installed before January 23, 2016, it is not a requirement. We've compiled more detailed information with requirements by device type, below, to help you make a good decision.
If you have a Reduced Pressure Zone device (RPZ), it must be tested every year. Please Note: Test results should be sent to HydroCorp, the City of Eagan contractor who manages our backflow prevention program. Call 1-800-690-6651 or email
Some letters have been sent recently, by independent firms not associated with the City, making it sound as if an inspection is required for all devices, regardless of age. This is simply not the case. It may be a good idea to get a device inspected, but if your device was installed before January 23, 2016, it is not a requirement.
Backflow Prevention Device Information
If you have a Reduced Pressure Zone device (RPZ) you need to have it inspected annually, and the inspection record must be submitted to the City of Eagan Utility Division. The device needs to be rebuilt, or replaced, if it fails the annual inspection.
If you have a Pressure Vacuum Breaker device (PVB) that was installed on/after January 23, 2016 you are required to have it inspected annually, and the inspection record needs to be submitted to the City of Eagan Utility Division.
If you have a Pressure Vacuum Breaker device (PVB) that was installed before January 23, 2016 then there is no requirement that you have the device inspected. Your device has been grandfathered into the old plumbing code. If an older device fails and is replaced all new plumbing codes apply, and an inspection must be performed annually on the device.
The same rules apply to Double Check Valves (DCVA), and Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB) as previously described for PVBs. If they were installed on/after January 23, 2016, they need to be inspected annually. If they are older, the devices are grandfathered into the old plumbing code.
If you have an older backflow prevention device (PVB, AVB or DCVA), it is never a bad idea to get it inspected. The device prevents contaminated water from entering the plumbing system in your home. These contaminants can come from your irrigation system, boiler system, or any other process where water contacts a non-potable source.
Check the list of certified Backflow Prevention inspectors.
- Select PLUMBING for “Discipline” and BACKFLOW TESTER or REBUILDER for “classification”. If you have any questions about backflow prevention devices please contact the City of Eagan Utility Division at 651-675-5200.
Spring Sewer Maintenance
Did you know that Eagan has 302 miles of sanitary sewer mains? A key part of our utility operation is executing a defined maintenance program to protect this critical infrastructure.
Every spring, around one-third of the sanitary sewer main gets cleaned to remove grease, sludge, sand and debris. This preventative maintenance is critical to keep the system flowing properly.
Crews use high-pressure water to clean the sewer. The pressure may cause you to experience gurgling or bubbling water in the toilet bowl or, in rare cases, splashing out of the bowl. This is simply water that is normally in your home's drain traps (and not from the sewer system). The best advice is to keep your toilet bowl lid down as much as possible.
Find out more about Utility Operations and do your part to keep the system flowing. The sanitary sewer system begins with the plumbing fixtures inside the house. All of your drains are piped to the sewer service that exits the house and connects to the sewer main under the street. The City of Eagan takes care of the maintenance on the sewer main but the pipes leading from the main into the home are the property owner's responsibility.
Residents can reduce potential problems by following some simple rules:
- If you smell sewage but have no obvious problems, add a gallon of water to your floor drains and plumbing fixtures to insure your traps have water.
- Never flush disposable diapers, sanitary products, wipes or other objects that might block or settle in your pipes.
- Do not dump gas, grease, oil, paint or other foreign objects down drains.
- If using a garbage disposal, never dispose of cooking oils, greases or coffee grounds.
- Take immediate action if you suspect your sewer line is partially plugged.
Experiencing a problem?
Give us a call & city crews will be dispatched to assess the situation. Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., call the Utilities division at 651-675-5200. After hours, on weekends or holidays, call 911.
Streetlighting Fees
Street lighting around Eagan provides safety and security for residents and visitors. To maintain and operate the City-owned streetlights on common roadways and intersections, there is a Community Streetlight and signal light fee on all residential and business utility accounts.
In addition, many residents also see a Neighborhood Streetlight fee on their utility bill. This charge is paid by residents who have street lighting in their neighborhood. The current street light fees are as follows:
- Community Streetlights - Residential: $3.12/single family home per quarter
- Neighborhood Streetlights - Residential: $8.52/single family home per quarter
Fees for businesses and other housing types may differ and are included in the City Fee Schedule.
Wellhead Protection
Groundwater often moves very slowly. Once it is contaminated, it may remain so for a long time, and maybe difficult and expensive to locate the source and remove the contaminant.
The Minnesota Groundwater Protection Act of 1989 granted the Commissioner of Health authority to develop wellhead protection measures for wells serving public water supplies (this rule does not apply to private wells). This action was in response to the 1986 amendment of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in which states are required to implement wellhead protection programs for public water supply wells.
Wellhead protection is a way to prevent contaminants from entering the area where drinking water is drawn. Specifically, community public water systems like Eagan's are required to delineate, inventory, and manage an inner wellhead management zone. Additionally, they must create a formal wellhead protection plan.
The wellhead protection planning process is broken down into two parts. Part one updates the wellhead protection area and drinking water supply management area, and re-assesses the vulnerability of the municipal wells. The Utilities Division completed part one in 2012. Part two updates the wellhead protection plan, including goals, objectives, plans of action, program evaluations, and contingency plans. Eagan began part two in early 2013 and must be done in April 2015.
While a wellhead protection plan gives public water supply purviers a useful "tool" for providing a safe drinking water supply to their customers, the long-term goals are beneficial to all residents of Minnesota. Help protect our community's valuable drinking water resource.
Anyone interested in more information about wellhead protection, may contact Superintendent of Utilities at 651-675-5215 or the Minnesota Department of Health Source Water Protection Unit at 651-201-4700.