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Engineering

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1. Where is the Engineering Department located?

The Engineering Department is located on the top floor of City Hall, at 23 2nd Street NE.

2. Can the city come and survey my property?

The city does not provide surveying services for private individuals. The following firms may provide surveying services for you:
Aason Engineering 882-2371
Clark Engineering 880-3122
Darwin Brinkman 881-7259
Helms & Associates 753-0750
Infrastructure Design Group 878-2120
Mack Surveying 880-3108
Scott Engineering 886-5725

3. Is my property in the floodplain?

Please click on the link to view Watertown's flood maps. click here

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Fire Department

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1. Where should smoke detectors be placed in my home?

Residential smoke detectors are early warning devices to wake a sleeping person or persons. Smoke detectors should be placed in each bedroom (sleeping area) and in the hallway leading to the bedrooms.

2. What is the best fire extinguisher to purchase for home use?

There are several different types of fire extinguishers. We suggest that you go to your local hardware store and see extinguishers for home use. As a general rule, extinguishers labeled Class ABC are best for home use. There are several different sizes, please find the extinguisher appropriate for the size of the room it is intended for.

3. Am I allowed to drive over a fire hose?

No, it is illegal to drive over any deployed fire hoses, whether they are full of water or not. The weight of a vehicle can cause fire hoses to burst, which can endanger the lives of our firefighters as well as bystanders. It can also impede our efforts to extinguish the fire. Vehicles are frequently cited by Watertown Police for driving over fire hoses.

4. Who do I call if a fire hydrant needs repair (leaking, broken or missing caps, etc)?

Call Watertown Municipal Utilities at 882-6233. WFR has no involvement in the maintenance or repair of fire hydrants.

5. When you are not out fighting fires or on ambulance calls, what do you do?

Firefighters work a 24-hour shift. We eat, sleep and work out of our fire station. We purchase and cook all of our own meals. All daily maintenance on fire department vehicles is performed at the fire stations. We are involved in educational programs in the schools and to the public. We perform fire inspections at businesses throughout the City of Watertown. We also attend daily training to help maintain and continuously improve our skills, much of which is federally and state mandated.

6. When I called 911 and asked for an ambulance, why does a fire truck also respond with the ambulance?

Frequently medical calls require the assistance of more than just the two personnel that arrive on the ambulance. Since all of our staff are medically trained, we frequently utilize the extra manpower of an engine or rescue crew for calls where the patient is experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, or perhaps has been involved in a traffic accident. This is in line with federal standards, and allows us to provide the best possible care for the patient.

7. When I called 911 and asked for a fire truck, why does an ambulance also respond?

All of our Paramedic's are also cross-trained as firefighters (they even keep their firefighting gear on the ambulance). Federal standards require that we have a minimum number of personnel on scene before we enter a burning structure or other hazardous incident. If you report a fire incident, it’s common for an ambulance to respond with the fire truck to provide this assistance. This provides safety in numbers and allows us to extinguish your fire more quickly.

8. Why does the emergency equipment sometimes run with lights and siren, then just turn them off?

On occasion, the fire engine and ambulance will be driving with lights and sirens and then suddenly turn them off--perhaps only to turn into a parking lot or side street. Be assured that when this happens it means we have received information through our 911 dispatchers that the caller or incident is no longer a dire emergency. It is what we call "being cancelled". Any or all of the apparatus may continue to drive to the call or perhaps some will return to the Fire Station.

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Main

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1. How do I contact a city/county department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

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Police - Administration

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1. What is Reportit?

Reportit helps Watertown citizens safely and securely store important information that is useful in recovering property in the event of a loss or theft. Reportit is a free, secure, online service allowing citizens to record an unlimited number of serial numbers, item descriptions, pictures, and scans of receipts for their valuables such as jewelry, electronics, computers, and other items with invaluable personal worth.

The Watertown Police Department encourages all residents to use this free online system and believes that having the information will go a long way in accurately and quickly identifying your property in the event of a loss or theft. This list may also be useful when filing claims with insurance providers in the event of loss or theft.

2. How does Reportit work?

The Reportit service is a part of LeadsOnline, the online system that works with police across the country to track and recover stolen property. The Watertown Police Department has used LeadsOnline since 2009, and has reported many successes using the online investigations system.

The system allows detectives to search for items using a variety of parameters, including item descriptions and serial numbers. Using LeadsOnline, the Watertown Police Department has recovered thousands of dollars in recovered stolen property for Watertown and surrounding residents, tracked down thieves, developed leads, and made arrests.

3. What is LeadsOnline?

LeadsOnline is the nation’s largest online investigative system used by more than 4,000 law enforcement agencies to recover stolen property and solve crimes.

Each year, LeadsOnline is credited with recovering millions of dollars in stolen goods and solving thousands of crimes that are often associated with bigger crimes, such as homicide, identity theft, and arson.

Based in Dallas and led by President and CEO Dave Finley, LeadsOnline works with thousands of agencies throughout the country, including the New York City Police Department, the Dallas Police Department, and the San Francisco Police Department.

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Regional Landfill

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1. Where is the Watertown Regional Landfill?

3 miles south and 1 mile east of the intersection of highways #212 and #81.

2. When is the Watertown Regional Landfill open?

8:00 AM until 4:00 PM, Monday through Saturday, except on observed holidays. The gate closes promptly at 4:00 pm.

3. What forms of payment are accepted at the Landfill?

The Landfill accepts cash, checks, VISA, and Mastercard. Charge accounts are available and are set up through the City’s finance office. Charge accounts are not set up at the Landfill.

4. What time will my garbage (or grass) container be emptied?

There is no set time schedule for the pick up of your 95 gallon container. The collection trucks begin their routes at 5:00 AM and run until the completion of the route. Please roll your 95 gallon container to the curb the night before your collection day or prior to 5:00 AM on your day of collection. The time your container(s) are emptied is determined by the number of containers residents set out each day.

5. What factors affect the time my waste container collected?

There is no set time schedule for the pick up of your waste containers. The collection trucks route may be affected by the weather conditions, mechanical problems, periodic maintenance, a different driver assigned to the route, as well as the number of containers set out for collection each day.

6. Why did the garbage truck stop and dump my recycling (or yard waste) container, but did not empty my blue garbage container?

The City of Watertown has blue, green, and tan collection trucks. Generally, the blue trucks empty the blue garbage containers, the green trucks empty the green yard waste containers, and the tan truck empties the tan recycling containers. Occasionally there is a blue truck collecting blue garbage containers, and another blue truck collection either yard waste or recycling containers.

7. Why was my garbage (or grass) container not dumped?

There are instances when a container is not collected because there is a vehicle parked too close to the container. Please leave a minimum of four feet to each side of your container to ensure the truck’s collection arm can reach the container. Also, the arm cannot reach containers placed too far away from the curb.

8. Why wasn’t the garbage bag or box placed on the ground beside my blue container picked up?

The automated side loading collection trucks have an arm on the truck, it extends from the side of the truck, grips and empties the container. All waste must be placed in automated containers provided by the city, the driver does not get out of the truck to pick up loose bags or boxes.

9. The wheel fell off my container. What should I do?

Call the Watertown Regional Landfill at 882-6219 or complete the Report A Broken Container Form. We have the parts and personnel available to replace the wheels on city issued garbage, recycling, and yard waste containers.

10. My blue container is full. May I put garbage in my green or tan container for collection?

No. Garbage contaminates yard waste or recycle loads. The collection trucks only pick up the type of container associated to the assigned route. The garbage truck will only pick up blue containers, the yard waste truck will only pick up green containers, and the recycling truck will only pick up tan containers. The drivers view the contents of the container by camera when the container is emptied, and will immediate stop emptying any containers with the wrong material.

11. My family produces more garbage than my blue container can hold. What are my options?

By paying the garbage collection fee on your monthly Municipal Utilities bill, the City of Watertown is authorized to collect your garbage once per week on your collection day.

You can:
1. Hold the excess garbage for the next week’s collection.
2. Authorize a second garbage charge on your account to receive a second garbage container. The City of Watertown will deliver the additional blue garbage container to your address.
3. Order a tan recycling container. Many residents have commented that they have a lot more space in their blue garbage container when the participate in recycling.
4. Haul your extra trash to the landfill (covered and secure) and pay the appropriate fee to dump it.

12. Can I get an additional blue garbage can?

Yes. A Watertown resident can get an additional blue garbage can for an additional monthly charge of $9.50 plus tax for each one. We encourage residents to first try adding the tan recycling container available at no additional charge before incurring the additional expense of additional blue garbage containers. If you need an additional container complete the container request form.

13. How do I get a green yard waste container and how much do they cost?

The yard waste containers cost $55.12 each tax included. There are four ways to purchase a container:
-Complete the container request form and then call the landfill at 605-882-6219 and give them your credit card information.
-Go to City Hall and pay for it there.
-Come to the Landfill, pay us and take it with you.
-Call the Landfill and give them your credit card information.

If the landfill is delivering the container, delivery normally occurs within a week from the time payment is received.

14. Can I have a yard waste container purchase billed on my Municipal Utility bill?

Sorry, no. To purchase a yard waste container you can: Stop by City Hall and pay, the container be delivered in about a week; Stop by the landfill and pay, take the container with you; Complete the container request form and then call the landfill and give them your credit card information; or call the landfill to make the request and pay over the phone. The container will be delivered in about a week.

The landfill's number is 605-882-6219.

15. What charges are associated with the yard waste container?

You purchase a yard waste container for $55.12 each. There are no additional charges on your utility bill for yard waste collection no matter how many you purchase.

The yard waste containers cost $55.12 each tax included. There are four ways to purchase a container:
-Complete the container request form and then call the landfill at 605-882-6219 and give them your credit card information.
-Go to City Hall and pay for it there.
-Come to the Landfill, pay us and take it with you.
-Call the Landfill and give them your credit card information.

If the landfill is delivering the container, delivery normally occurs within a week from the time payment is received.

16. I no longer need my yard waste container. How do I get rid of it?

You have purchased the container so it is your personal property. You can resell it, give it away, leave it behind, or take it with you. The choice is yours. The City does not re-purchase the yard waste containers.

17. How do I get compost and how much can I get?

Each Watertown resident within city limits, with a Municipal Utility bill is entitled to 2 free tons of compost each year. Bring your Utility bill to the Landfill and the compost will be loaded into your vehicle or trailer or you can load it yourself. After receiving your 2 free tons or if you are not a Watertown resident more compost is available for $20/ton.

18. When will the 4th Avenue Yard Waste Site be open?

The Yard Waste Drop Off Site is open five days per week during parts of October and November for leaf and tree branch collection. Depending on weather, it may also be open for a couple of weeks during the Spring. Dates are announced in advance in the local news media.

19. Can I pick up wood chips at the Landfill?

Sorry, the wood chips are reserved for internal use at the Landfill. They are not available to the public.

20. Do you take tires at the Landfill?

Sorry, the Landfill does not accept tires. Take tires to any tire dealer for disposal. The dealer will charge you a fee.

21. When is the Household Hazardous Waste event?

The Household Hazardous Waste event usually takes place the last Saturday of April. It is held at the Wastewater treatment facility just south of Sears. 

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Upper Big Sioux Watershed Project

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1. What is the water level in Lake Kampeska right now?

the water level in Lake Kampeska is..... Water level

2. It's flooding in Fargo. How long before it gets here?

It will never get here. Watertown is in the upper Big Sioux River watershed that only reaches from Watertown to Summit, and about as wide as Waverly to Florence.

3. Can I get cost share for any project?

Any project has to be focused around clean water to be considered for cost share funding.

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Wastewater Treatment Facility

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1. How do I apply for a seasonal sump pump variance?

The temporary sump pump variance period for sump pumps to discharge clear water to the sanitary sewer is from October 15th to April 15th each year.

When the temporary variance period is not in effect (April 15th to October 15th), sump pump water must be directed to your yard or another acceptable location; not to the sanitary sewer .

Removing sump pump water from the sanitary sewer saves valuable sanitary sewer capacity which is necessary to protect homes and the environment from a sewage discharge. The public's help by routing sump pumps out of the sanitary sewer is greatly appreciated.

Applications for a written variance may be made via the City’s website at http://watertownsd.us/variance. Applicants without internet access may apply for a variance by calling the Wastewater Treatment Facility at 882-6244.

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West Nile Prevention Program

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1. How do I know when spraying for mosquitoes will occur?

Announcements will appear in the Public Opinion, on local radio stations, and on this web page. Spraying normally begins at 9:00 PM.

2. How do you determine when and where to spray for mosquitoes?

Mosquito spraying is conducted when a mosquito trap indicates significant populations of specific mosquito species that are likely to carry West Nile virus. The area represented by that trap is then sprayed the following day; weather conditions permitting.