Public Works & Utilities

Utility Requirements

Utility Deposits are as posted:

• Gas Heated Home: $125
• Total Electric: $200
• Water: $25

Deposit Information

We must have deposit prior to putting utilities in your name. We keep the deposit for a period of 2 years. If payments are made by the 15th of the month, we will refund the money in the form of a check. If payments are paid after the 15th of the month, we will continue to hold the deposit until 2 years of timely payments have been completed or you should move, whereas, we will apply the deposit to your final bill.

We also require 2 forms of identification, one being a picture ID.

Why are Desposits required?

Deposits protect the utility and its conscientious customers from having to pay the cost of bills left unpaid by other electric utility customers. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call the city office at 620-724-8918.

The City of Girard employs a fully trained and certified electric utility staff. Our job is to ensure the community is serviced with reliable and continual electric service through all weather conditions, year round. During weekends and after hours, staff is available for emergency response to restore utilities. 

Electrical Problems

To help us do our job the right way, the first time; if you are experiencing electrical problems in your home or business please do not remove the meter can cover or the electric meter. All electric services are equipped with a service disconnect. If you do not have an electric disconnect, have a licensed electrician install one.

Trees

Overgrown trees are often a source of creating problems for homeowners. Depending on the location of the tree, we are able to remove or trim back nuisance trees.

Water Problems

If you are experiencing water related problems, please do not remove the meter pit lid. The stop in the pit is for our use and was not intended to be a shut off for customer’s use. If you don’t have a valve, please contact a license plumber and have one installed. Tampering with city equipment could result in fines. 

Construction & Repair

As a reminder, all construction or repair to your electric or water service must be permitted through the Community Development Office. Our rule is “better safe than sorry”, if you have any questions or doubt about the work being done, contact the codes compliance officer by calling 620-724-8918.

Conservation

We strongly encourage utility conservation. With technological advances in the utility area, today there are many inexpensive methods to upgrade your home or business to conserve utility consumption and lower expenses. Various devices are available for electric and water conservation such as energy efficient lighting and water reduction devices. 

Water saving shower heads and low use toilet flushers are just two simple saving measures homeowners can generally install to reduce water consumption. We also encourage homeowners to keep plumbing fixtures in good repair. A low drip from a leaky faucet or toilet can bring about higher costs, while preventive measures are generally very inexpensive and most often able to be installed by the homeowner.  

The power plant remains staffed with certified personnel to ensure assets are maintained to be operated as directed by administration, provide service to the public during inclement weather outages and other loss of service situations, and monitor transmission of incoming and outgoing service.

History

The city’s venture into the municipal electricity began in 1904 when the city council purchased a small steam-driven electric light plant from Captain J.A. Marshall. Located at the east end of Prairie Street, it was moved south to the location of the water plant. During the first thirty years of operation the city plant more than paid its own way and repaid the original cost.

Growth

Girard was one of the few cities west of the Mississippi River to have electricity. Over the years there has been many upgrades and improvements to the plant to meet the electric demand of the city. In 1991, the most recent major improvement included installation of two large engines and all new switch gear. 

Today

Now the plant is capable of producing 10 megawatts of power, enough to cover the needs of the city of Girard. Since then, other improvements have been made such as digital metering, computer controlled and monitored circuits, and black start capability. When outages occur during off-duty hours, on-call staff report to restore service as quickly as possible.

The City of Girard provides wastewater (sewer) services to residents and businesses within the city. Our Public Works Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the city’s sanitary sewer collection system and wastewater management, helping protect public health and the local environment.

Sewer Service

Wastewater service is provided as part of your city utilities and is billed along with your monthly utility statement. If you experience a sewer backup or believe there is a problem with a city sewer line, please contact City Hall at 620-724-8918 during business hours, or the after-hours emergency line at 620-724-6216.

Your Responsibility

Property owners are responsible for maintaining the building sewer line that connects their property to the city’s main sewer line. To help keep the system flowing properly and avoid backups, please avoid flushing or draining items such as grease, wipes, paper towels, and other non-degradable materials into the sewer system.

Construction & Connections

All new sewer connections and repairs must be permitted through the Community Development Office and are subject to inspection. If you have questions about a sewer connection or a private sewage disposal system, please contact City Hall at 620-724-8918.