Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Valued ... - American Water

The water meter is theresponsibility and property ofIllinois American Water andmay be located inside yourhome or business, or outsidein a meter pit. Only IllinoisAmerican Water personnelare permitted to open themeter pit. However, when themeter is located inside yourhome or business, you havethe responsibility to keep yourmeter accessible and properlyprotected from severe cold orheat. The meter must be keptfree from obstructions, petsmust be restrained, and obstacles must be removed thatwould prevent the meter reader from reading the meter. Youmay be charged for repairs if your meter freezes, bursts or isdamaged due to neglect on your part.It is unlawful to tamper in any way with the operation of yourwater meter.Illinois American Water also provides sewer service to someparts of the Chicago Metro area. In these areas, IllinoisAmerican Water owns and is responsible for maintaining themain sewer line in the street, and any portion of the sewerline located off customers’ property or within easements forwhich customers do not have ownership rights. Customersare responsible for maintaining sanitary sewer service lineslocated on their property and within easements for whichthey have ownership rights. Illinois American Water’s Guideto Your Sanitary Sewer Service is available on our website atwww.illinoisamwater.com, or you may request a copy bycalling our Customer Service Center at 1-800-422-2782.Shut-Off ValveShould you have an emergency with your home plumbing system,you can turn off the water where it enters your home by using theshut-off valve. It is usually installed where the water pipe entersyour home or on a vertical pipe leading from the point of entryinside your basement wall or crawl space. You can help make yourshut-off valve easy to identify by painting it a bright color or tying abright ribbon or tag to it.Employee IdentificationAll employees of Illinois American Water have companyidentification cards. In addition, many wear uniforms anduse vehicles and equipment which are marked with theIllinois American Water logo. If you want to verify that someoneis an Illinois American Water employee, or a contractor workingfor Illinois American Water, please ask to see his or heridentification card.