Residential Services FAQs
How can I pay my bill?
The District currently accepts cash, check, cashier check, money orders, Visa and Mastercard. Automatic withdrawal from your checking account is also available.
Payments can be made in the following ways:
- By Mail: Please enclose the bill stub and check in the envelope provided.
- First Independent Bank Locations: You may pay your bill at any branch of First Independent Bank. They have a cut-off time of 4:30 p.m. for each day's payments.
It is important to note that payments made at the branch located at 8015 NE Highway 99, Vancouver, WA, will be received by the District the day following the date the payment was made. If made at any other First Independent Bank branch, the delay is two days.
- In Person: Payments can be made in person at the District office, address noted above, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Payment Drop Box: There is a drop box available for after hours payments located at the Clark Regional Wastewater District office at 8000 NE 52nd Court, Vancouver, WA.
- Direct Debit Payments: The District offers direct debit as a payment method. Learn more about the Direct Debit program.
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May I pay my bill over the telephone?
The District can take credit card payments over the telephone. Contact customer service at (360) 750-5876 to use this option.
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Can I pay my sewer bill by credit card?
The District accepts Visa and Mastercard. You can pay in person or via the telephone. Also, the District now offers a free service allowing you to view your account information and pay your sewer bill online. The secure UBPayments service lets you view your account history and billing information and pay your bill using a credit card. This service is free, but you must be using a web browser that supports "JavaScript", such as Netscape 4 or newer or Internet Explorer 4 or newer.
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My bill is due today. Can I mail it?
If the bill is due today, it must be received by the end of business hours today. You can put it in our night deposit box here at the building, or make a payment at the First Independent Bank at 78th & Highway 99 before close of business today. Payments in the drop box that are retrieved the first thing in the morning will be date stamped for the previous day.
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What is the average monthly billing?
Effective January 1, 2006, the Clark Regional Wastewater District charges a flat fee of $34.00 for residential customers per month billed on a bi-monthly cycle. Commercial and industrial customers are billed based on the corresponding usage of the system. For more information, contact the District.
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What is the payoff for a Long Term Contract account?
This requires our Customer Service department to access your account. Please contact the District with your account number for more specific information.
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I received an "intent to lien" letter that is due today. May I pay this over the telephone?
Unfortunately, we are not set up to accept payments over the telephone. We must receive payment by 5 PM on the date noted on the letter. For your convenience, there is a drop box at our office located at 8000 NE 52nd Court where payments may be securely left for processing.
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This house is vacant. Why do I have to pay for sewer when no one is using it?
The sewer charge is for maintaining the entire sewer system, from the lines in the street to treatment. Unlike other utilities, the District does not have the ability to "turn off" the service. This means that whether or not a property is occupied, we still provide that property service.
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The previous owner left a balance. Why are you billing me?
The sewer bill is a lien against the property that has received the service, not an individual that occupied the property.
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Do you have information on septic systems?
The District is responsible for our sewer system only.
Any information on septic systems can be obtained from the Clark County Health Department, which is located at 2000 Ft. Vancouver Way in Vancouver, Washington. You may also contact them via telephone at (360) 397-8215 or fax them your questions at (360) 397-8424.
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When do I need to obtain a sewer permit?
You must obtain a sewer permit:
- Anytime you are modifying an existing sewer line that is outside of the building.
- If you are installing a new sewer line and connecting to sewer.
In addition, if you are changing the use of your building, additional sewer connection fees may be required.
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What information do I need when asking for a sewer inspection?
Address, lot number and subdivision (if applicable), contact name and phone number, sewer permit number, County activity number (if applicable).
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How do I schedule an inspection?
Requests for inspections can be taken only after the complete connection to the sewer line is made. Inspections will be done within 24 hours of the request. You may call (360) 993-8836 24 hours per day/7days a week to schedule an inspection.
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Where should I post my sewer permit?
When you are requesting an inspection of your sewer line, please post the sewer permit in a visible area, near the inspection site. If you have a County building card that needs to be signed off, post it with the sewer permit.
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How much will it cost to connect to sewer?
The cost to connect to sewer varies depending on property location and type of use. Connection fees consist of several different parts, some or all of which may be due prior to connection of your property. These include:
- permit fees
- the General Facilities Charge (GFC)
- the Regional Facilities Charge (RFC)
- a Local Facilities Charge (LFC)
- or a Latecomer Reimbursement Charge.
These fees do not include any work that would need to be done on your property, such as laying pipe from a house to the public sewer, or abandoning the current septic system. In addition, if the sewer is not immediately adjacent to your property, construction costs within the public right-of-way may be necessary. (See Current Fees)
To learn more about these fees or to inquire about a specific property, complete a Connection Fee Quote form, or contact Chris Hodnefield, Engineering Technician, at (360) 993-8813.
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Where can I get information about doing a Local Facilities Contract (LFC) extension?
Preliminary LFC Extension information (pdf, 56K) is available within this web site. You can contact Chris Hodnefield , Engineering Technician, at (360) 993-8813.
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Where can I get information about forming a Utility Local Improvement District (ULID)?
Preliminary ULID information (pdf, 56K) is available within this web site. You can contact Warren Knuth, Engineering Supervisor, at (360) 993-8818.
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Do you recommend any side sewer contractors to do my onsite installation?
We do not recommend side sewer contractors; we only have lists of contractors who have been placed on small works rosters for certain District projects. For more information, please contact Chris Hodnefield, Engineering Technician, at (360) 993-8813.
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Do you have financing options available for the costs associated with getting connected to sewer?
The District has financing programs available for some of the costs associated with connecting an existing residential home with a septic system to sewer. We do not finance any costs associated with new residential construction or commercial projects. Before we can extend financing, the homeowner must pay for a title search on the property. If financing is approved, the financed amount becomes a lien against the property. For more information on financing options, please contact Denise Pearce, Finance Supervisor, at (360) 993-8807.
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How do I find out whether sewer service is currently available to my property?
Sewer availability depends on many factors and is subject to the location of the property. To find out information related to sewer service for your property, please complete a Sewer Availability Form. The information will be submitted electronically, and we will contact with pertinent information. Alternately, you can contact Chris Hodnefield, Engineering Technician, at (360) 993-8813.
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