How water and sewer billing works
The City bills monthly for these utilities. Actual water meter reads are taken monthly. Any questions? Contact City Hall at 269-685-6821, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.
Start or stop service
Utility Billing creates and maintains all utility accounts. To start or stop water and sewer service, contact Penny Soper at psoper@plainwell.org or call City Hall at 269-685-6821.
To confirm with the City: what a resident needs to start or stop service (forms, deposit, how much notice).
Going away for more than two weeks?
If you are taking an extended vacation, the City offers two services to help protect your home while you are gone.
- Security check: officers watch your house while driving by on patrol, and sometimes walk around to check closer. If we think there might be a problem at the house, we'll call your listed contact person. Request a vacation house check.
- Water turn off and on: lets you drain your plumbing before you leave. There is a fee, but you do not pay the monthly ready-to-serve charges while you are gone. Otherwise, if a leak occurs, damage could happen inside the house before your caretaker finds the problem. Contact City Hall for more information.
Who should I call if my sewer isn't working properly?
If your drains are sluggish or plugged, call the Department of Public Works (DPW) at 269-685-9363 before calling a plumbing professional. We'll check the sewer main. If it's blocked, we'll clear it at no cost to you (unless you are a business and the block is caused by improper grease disposal). If the problem is in your plumbing, we'll let you know, and then you can call someone to clear your line.
If possible, please call between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM. After 3:00 PM or on weekends or holidays, call the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 269-685-9858, and they will let Public Works know that you have a problem.
Who supplies gas, electric, cable and water to my new home?
| Service | Provider |
|---|---|
| Water and sewer | City of Plainwell, 269-685-6821 |
| Gas | Michigan Gas, 1-800-401-6402 |
| Electric | Consumers Power, 1-800-477-5050 |
| Cable | Charter Communications, 1-800-822-2554 AT&T (en español, transfer service) |
Questions about video and cable providers go to the Michigan Public Service Commission (LARA). Trash pickup: see trash and recycling.
Other common questions
Where can I ride my bike or skateboard?
Bicycles may not be ridden on sidewalks in the 100 and 200 blocks downtown. Walk bikes on the boardwalk. Bicycles may be ridden on the roadway outside the 200 blocks of downtown, as long as the rider obeys all traffic signs and signals and rides with the flow of traffic. If you have children, please teach them to always walk against the flow of traffic, and to bike with the flow.
Skateboards, skates and rollerblades are not allowed on downtown sidewalks, but can be used on sidewalks in the rest of the city. State law prohibits their use on any street or highway.
Can I have a campfire in my yard?
You may have a campfire in your yard under these conditions:
- The campfire is in an approved container, made of non-combustible materials (rocks, cement or metal), no more than four feet (48 inches) in diameter.
- Only wood products can be burned.
- A competent adult must be at the site at all times until the fire is completely out.
- Extinguishing equipment must be readily available at the site.
- The fire must be 50 feet from any building or overhead wires.
- The property owner's permission, in person or in writing, is required.
Can I park on the street overnight?
Parking a motor vehicle or trailer within the right-of-way of any public street in the city is prohibited from 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM every day during November, December, January, February and March. This lets us sweep streets and plow snow, identify abandoned vehicles and provide emergency response to your home or business. You may park on the street overnight from April 1 until November 1.
If you must park in the street between 2 AM and 5 AM while you repair a driveway, have overnight guests, or similar, contact Public Safety at 269-685-9858.
Overnight parking downtown, whether on the street or in a parking lot, is prohibited all year. Overnight parking permits are available for downtown residents at the Department of Public Safety. Proof of downtown residency is required. Overnight parking by permit is allowed in designated parking lots and spaces only.
Why is the siren being used?
The severe weather siren is tested on the first Friday of every month at 11:00 AM. If you hear the siren at any other time, take cover and tune to your local media or the National Weather Service for updates or the all clear.
Can I put a sign in my yard?
Private signs are not allowed in public rights-of-way. This includes signs fastened to power poles. Place signs only on private property. Never put a nail or other fastener into a City tree.