All zoning and permit inquiries are to be directed to the contacts at City Hall
Department of public works
Contact the Public Works Department for:
- Problems with Street Lights
- Downed Trees or Branches
- Culvert or Road Problems
Main Office | Public Works Department
P.O. Box 638
502 W. Bayfield Street
Washburn, WI 54891
Phone: (715) 373-6171
For Utility Billing questions, please call Washburn City Hall: (715) 373-6160 ext. 2
Regular Hours of Department Operation:
Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-3:30 PM (excluding Holidays)
Emergency After Hours Utility/Public Works Assistance Please Call:
Bayfield County Dispatch (715) 373-6120
Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-3:30 PM (excluding Holidays)
Emergency After Hours Utility/Public Works Assistance Please Call:
Bayfield County Dispatch (715) 373-6120
Gerry Schuette | Director
Email: dpw-at-cityofwashburn-dot-org
Email: dpw-at-cityofwashburn-dot-org
Washburn Municipal Utilities
The City of Washburn operates municipal water distribution, sewage and waste water, and storm water collection system for residents of the community. This web page provides basic information on the utilities, as well as current rates.
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Water Utility
The water utility is one of three Washburn Municipal Utilities. The operations of the water utility are regulated by both the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In addition, the operation of the Barksdale water line extension is governed by the three party Agreement between Dupont, the City of Washburn and the Town of Barksdale.
WATER QUALITY
The Washburn municipal water supply is tested regularly for coliform bacteria, fluoride, inorganics, volatile organics, synthetic organics, and lead & copper . Testing is conducted at specified intervals for additional substances identified by the WDNR. Annually, the utility must file a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with the WDNR listing the quality of the utility's water supply and violations of the Department's operating rules. The annual CCR, along with past reports, are available at City Hall for review and are posted on the City's and WDNR's website.
WATER TREATMENT
The quality of the deep groundwater aquifer supplying the municipal water supply does NOT require additional treatment such as chlorination.
WATER QUALITY
The Washburn municipal water supply is tested regularly for coliform bacteria, fluoride, inorganics, volatile organics, synthetic organics, and lead & copper . Testing is conducted at specified intervals for additional substances identified by the WDNR. Annually, the utility must file a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with the WDNR listing the quality of the utility's water supply and violations of the Department's operating rules. The annual CCR, along with past reports, are available at City Hall for review and are posted on the City's and WDNR's website.
WATER TREATMENT
The quality of the deep groundwater aquifer supplying the municipal water supply does NOT require additional treatment such as chlorination.
CURRENT RATES
Beginning June 16, 2016, the City of Washburn utilities will bill quarterly on the following schedule.
QUARTERLY FIXED CHARGE (General Metered Service):
Beginning June 16, 2016, the City of Washburn utilities will bill quarterly on the following schedule.
QUARTERLY FIXED CHARGE (General Metered Service):
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VOLUME CHARGE:
- First 25,000 gallons used per quarter: $5.79 per 1,000 Gallons
- Next 175,000 gallons used per quarter: $3.90 per 1,000 Gallons
- Over 200,000 gallons used per quarter: $2.89 per 1,000 Gallons
Sewage & Waste Water
The Washburn waste water collection system consists of 66,000 feet of pipe, and four lift stations, and a waste water treatment plant. The City's waste water treatment plant, placed on line in 1997 has a design capacity of 380,000 gallons per day.
SEWER RATES
The Washburn Waste Water Utility in accordance with a waste water discharge permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and provisions of Section 6-2-3, Washburn Code of Ordinances. Municipal ordinances are available for review at the utility business office, Washburn City Hall, 119 Washington Avenue, Washburn, Wisconsin during normal business hours. Washburn Waste Water Utility Rates Effective December 16, 2022.
QUARTERLY FIXED CHARGE:
SEWER RATES
The Washburn Waste Water Utility in accordance with a waste water discharge permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and provisions of Section 6-2-3, Washburn Code of Ordinances. Municipal ordinances are available for review at the utility business office, Washburn City Hall, 119 Washington Avenue, Washburn, Wisconsin during normal business hours. Washburn Waste Water Utility Rates Effective December 16, 2022.
QUARTERLY FIXED CHARGE:
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VOLUME CHARGE:
- $8.66 per thousand gallons used.
BILL PAYMENT:
Utility service is billed quarterly in accordance with the following schedule:
- September 16 - December 15: Bill Received on or about January 1
- December 16 - March 15: Bill Received on or about April 1
- March 16 - June 15: Bill Received on or about July 1
- June 16 - September 15: Bill Received on or about October 1
Bills are due upon issuance and are payable to the City of Washburn via the mail, at City Hall, 119 Washington Avenue, or via electronic direct debit. Contact City Hall at (715) 373-6160 ext.2 for further information on the direct debit program. (The authorization form can be found HERE.)
An interest rate of 1% per month will be assessed on all outstanding balances not paid by the 20th of the month. State Law and municipal ordinance permit delinquent utility charges to be attached to properties as a tax lien.
Under Wis. Stat 196.03(3)(b) any municipality has chosen to have the utility bill in the retail general service customers for public fire protection service. The municipality has also elected to make this charge applicable to non-general service customers who own the properties in an area where the utility has an obligation to provide water for public fire protection. Each tax parcel shall be billed at the 5/8-inch meter charge rate of $27.81.
This service shall include the use of hydrants for fire protection service only and such quantities of water as may be demanded for the purpose of extinguishing fires within the service area. This service shall also include water used for testing equipment and training personnel. For all other purposes, the metered or other rates set forth, or as may be filed with the Public Service Commission, shall apply.
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WaSHBURN WATER UTILITY- Consumer Confidence Report
| 2022 Consumer Confidence Report |
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY
This is designed to briefly describe the utility and provide information on its billing and operating practices, but is not intended to fully explain every detail and aspect of storm water utility operations. More detailed information on utility operations can be obtained by contacting the City at (715) 373-6160.
Background: The City of Washburn's Storm Water Management Utility provides a major benefit to its residents. Washburn has joined a small but growing number of municipalities who are beginning to manage storm water systematically. These communities are working proactively to correct storm water issues before unbridled runoff damages public and private property.
The Washburn Storm Water Management Utility is intended to be self-supporting just like the City's water and waste water utilities. Revenue collected from storm water utility services are used for storm water management and no other purpose. The monthly utility fees will pay for the operation, maintenance, and capital improvements of the City's storm water system. The utility will work to solve drainage issues, prevent future problems, and repair, maintain, and carry out best management practices to enhance the ability of the community to handle storm drainage and runoff.
Creation of the Utility: Discussion on the creation of a storm water utility has occurred since the heavy rainfalls of 2000 and 2001 caused considerable public and private property damage within the City. Active discussions in the establishment of the utility evolved as part of the planning of the recent 120 block water and waste water utility renovation and extension project. The Council determined it was important to incorporate improvements in the manner in which storm water is handled within the reconstructed streets of the sewer and water construction corridor.
In the spring of 2005, the City commissioned SEH, a professional service provider with storm water management expertise, to undertake a study to analyze the feasibility of a utility approach in this community's management of storm water. The report of SEH was received by the Common Council in June, 2005, and on July 25, 2005, the Council adopted the ordinance that ultimately created the utility. Since that time, an information open house has been held for interested property owners and information on the utility has been distributed within the Washburn City News, the community's quarterly newsletter and other media outlets. Administrative staff of the City have also been working diligently on integrating storm water utility billing within the City's accounting and billing programs.
Why Do We Need A Storm Water Management Utility? In the past, the City of Washburn was able to ignore storm water management issues. However, greater environmental awareness, the inability of existing storm water conveyance systems to handle regularly occurring runoff increased the need for better storm water management solutions. With each passing storm, it became more and more apparent that current storm water management problems were not being addressed and the development of long range plans were needed to minimize future problems.
Storm water management can no longer be addressed solely by building larger pipes and drains to get rid of storm water. All properties, regardless of their location in the watershed, have an impact on storm water drainage. storm water needs to be viewed from a total management perspective. The utility permits this approach to be undertaken.
Previous surfaces allow rain to seep into the ground, whereas impervious surfaces block this absorption. Rain which used to be absorbed into the ground now covered by impervious surfaces, such as roofs, sidewalks, driveways, has to go somewhere. It runs off your land onto your neighbors, or into the City's storm water conveyance system which collects the runoff from drainage basins, streets, and roads via ditches, gutters, catch basins, gullies, ravines, drainage swales and stream channels. Washburn needs a storm water management system that retains water on the properties that generate storm water, doesn't overload conveyance and handling systems, eliminates flooding, minimizes environmental degradation and thereby improves living conditions within the City of Washburn. The monthly storm water charge provides an incentive for the largest generators of storm water - commercial, industrial and institutional properties, to incorporate best management practices within their properties.
Funding of Storm Water Management: In the past, the City funded storm water management primarily through the general fund, i.e, property taxes. It has also utilized special assessments to cover improvements within specific areas of the community.
Funding of storm water improvements via property taxes is considered to be inequitable because: 1) tax-exempt properties generate storm water but do not contribute revenue towards storm water management; and 2) the assessed value of property, which determines its property tax, is not proportional to the property's ability to generate run off. Antiquated community storm water handling methods, ongoing community flooding, conveyance systems outside of the public domain along with the need to institute best management practices, have increased the need to assure a revenue stream for improved storm water management in Washburn.
Storm Water Utility Staff: It is not anticipated that additional personnel will be needed to administer the storm water utility. The City's administrative, public works, and utility departments will be assigned various responsibilities required to run the storm water utility.
BILLING FOR SERVICE
Sharing the Cost: We all agree that residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial customers should pay for their water, waste water, solid waste, electric, and gas service based upon their relative use of these utility systems. The fairest way to pay for storm water management is to charge property owners for the amount of storm water generated based upon the use of the property. During the development of the current sewer and water renovation and extension project, the Council heard from many residents that improvements that are of a benefit to the whole community should be paid for by the whole community. That philosophy, in part, drove interest in the creation of the storm water management utility.
Utility Rates: The rates to be charged by the City's Storm Water Management Utility were developed within the SEH feasibility study. The current rate structure was adopted by the Council on September 15, 2005. Residential charges (single and two family dwellings) are based on a fixed fee per living unit. Commercial, industrial, and institutional parcels are based on a per acre charge. Vacant lands, parks, cemeteries, roads and streets are exempt from storm water utility charges.
Storm Water Utility Credits: Beginning in 2006, credits on monthly storm water utility bills will be offered to commercial, institutional, and industrial customers who implement best management practices on their lands to minimize the amount of storm water entering the public conveyance system. Credits will not be issued unless they are applied for and will not be provided until a best management practice is installed and functioning. Information on best management practices for handling storm water may be acquired by contacting the offices of UW-Extension or the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Non-Emergency Phone Numbers:
For questions about drainage issues, plugged catch basins and culverts, overflows or flooding, call the Public Works Department at (715) 373-6171, between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM Monday - Friday (except holidays).
For billing questions, call the Washburn City Hall at (715) 373-6160, between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Mondays and 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM Tuesday - Friday (except holidays).
After-Hours Emergencies:
In emergency, the Washburn Public Works Department may be contacted seven days a week between the hours of 3:30 PM and 7:00 AM (715) 373-6120.
Background: The City of Washburn's Storm Water Management Utility provides a major benefit to its residents. Washburn has joined a small but growing number of municipalities who are beginning to manage storm water systematically. These communities are working proactively to correct storm water issues before unbridled runoff damages public and private property.
The Washburn Storm Water Management Utility is intended to be self-supporting just like the City's water and waste water utilities. Revenue collected from storm water utility services are used for storm water management and no other purpose. The monthly utility fees will pay for the operation, maintenance, and capital improvements of the City's storm water system. The utility will work to solve drainage issues, prevent future problems, and repair, maintain, and carry out best management practices to enhance the ability of the community to handle storm drainage and runoff.
Creation of the Utility: Discussion on the creation of a storm water utility has occurred since the heavy rainfalls of 2000 and 2001 caused considerable public and private property damage within the City. Active discussions in the establishment of the utility evolved as part of the planning of the recent 120 block water and waste water utility renovation and extension project. The Council determined it was important to incorporate improvements in the manner in which storm water is handled within the reconstructed streets of the sewer and water construction corridor.
In the spring of 2005, the City commissioned SEH, a professional service provider with storm water management expertise, to undertake a study to analyze the feasibility of a utility approach in this community's management of storm water. The report of SEH was received by the Common Council in June, 2005, and on July 25, 2005, the Council adopted the ordinance that ultimately created the utility. Since that time, an information open house has been held for interested property owners and information on the utility has been distributed within the Washburn City News, the community's quarterly newsletter and other media outlets. Administrative staff of the City have also been working diligently on integrating storm water utility billing within the City's accounting and billing programs.
Why Do We Need A Storm Water Management Utility? In the past, the City of Washburn was able to ignore storm water management issues. However, greater environmental awareness, the inability of existing storm water conveyance systems to handle regularly occurring runoff increased the need for better storm water management solutions. With each passing storm, it became more and more apparent that current storm water management problems were not being addressed and the development of long range plans were needed to minimize future problems.
Storm water management can no longer be addressed solely by building larger pipes and drains to get rid of storm water. All properties, regardless of their location in the watershed, have an impact on storm water drainage. storm water needs to be viewed from a total management perspective. The utility permits this approach to be undertaken.
Previous surfaces allow rain to seep into the ground, whereas impervious surfaces block this absorption. Rain which used to be absorbed into the ground now covered by impervious surfaces, such as roofs, sidewalks, driveways, has to go somewhere. It runs off your land onto your neighbors, or into the City's storm water conveyance system which collects the runoff from drainage basins, streets, and roads via ditches, gutters, catch basins, gullies, ravines, drainage swales and stream channels. Washburn needs a storm water management system that retains water on the properties that generate storm water, doesn't overload conveyance and handling systems, eliminates flooding, minimizes environmental degradation and thereby improves living conditions within the City of Washburn. The monthly storm water charge provides an incentive for the largest generators of storm water - commercial, industrial and institutional properties, to incorporate best management practices within their properties.
Funding of Storm Water Management: In the past, the City funded storm water management primarily through the general fund, i.e, property taxes. It has also utilized special assessments to cover improvements within specific areas of the community.
Funding of storm water improvements via property taxes is considered to be inequitable because: 1) tax-exempt properties generate storm water but do not contribute revenue towards storm water management; and 2) the assessed value of property, which determines its property tax, is not proportional to the property's ability to generate run off. Antiquated community storm water handling methods, ongoing community flooding, conveyance systems outside of the public domain along with the need to institute best management practices, have increased the need to assure a revenue stream for improved storm water management in Washburn.
Storm Water Utility Staff: It is not anticipated that additional personnel will be needed to administer the storm water utility. The City's administrative, public works, and utility departments will be assigned various responsibilities required to run the storm water utility.
BILLING FOR SERVICE
Sharing the Cost: We all agree that residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial customers should pay for their water, waste water, solid waste, electric, and gas service based upon their relative use of these utility systems. The fairest way to pay for storm water management is to charge property owners for the amount of storm water generated based upon the use of the property. During the development of the current sewer and water renovation and extension project, the Council heard from many residents that improvements that are of a benefit to the whole community should be paid for by the whole community. That philosophy, in part, drove interest in the creation of the storm water management utility.
Utility Rates: The rates to be charged by the City's Storm Water Management Utility were developed within the SEH feasibility study. The current rate structure was adopted by the Council on September 15, 2005. Residential charges (single and two family dwellings) are based on a fixed fee per living unit. Commercial, industrial, and institutional parcels are based on a per acre charge. Vacant lands, parks, cemeteries, roads and streets are exempt from storm water utility charges.
Storm Water Utility Credits: Beginning in 2006, credits on monthly storm water utility bills will be offered to commercial, institutional, and industrial customers who implement best management practices on their lands to minimize the amount of storm water entering the public conveyance system. Credits will not be issued unless they are applied for and will not be provided until a best management practice is installed and functioning. Information on best management practices for handling storm water may be acquired by contacting the offices of UW-Extension or the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Non-Emergency Phone Numbers:
For questions about drainage issues, plugged catch basins and culverts, overflows or flooding, call the Public Works Department at (715) 373-6171, between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM Monday - Friday (except holidays).
For billing questions, call the Washburn City Hall at (715) 373-6160, between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Mondays and 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM Tuesday - Friday (except holidays).
After-Hours Emergencies:
In emergency, the Washburn Public Works Department may be contacted seven days a week between the hours of 3:30 PM and 7:00 AM (715) 373-6120.
Steps You Can Take To Prevent Your Basement From Flooding
Click on this document to see tips and a graphic of things you can do around your home (courtesy of the City of Madison).
Click on this document to see tips and a graphic of things you can do around your home (courtesy of the City of Madison).
| Flood Prevention Tips and Standards |
solar electric production
Snow Plow Routes
Bayfield Street (State Highway 13) and County Highway C are plowed by Bayfield County.
| Snow Plow Routes |
Winter Parking Regulations
It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave a standing motor vehicle on any street or avenue in the City of Washburn between November 1, and April 1.
Even / Odd Parking
Parking shall be permitted on the side of the street containing even number street addresses on even calendar days, and on the side of the street containing odd number street addresses on odd calendar days.
Snow Emergency
A snow emergency may be declared in the event of snowfall exceeding four (4") inches in depth for the purpose of clearing public streets as efficiently and quickly as possible to permit the passage of emergency vehicles and public transit.
In the event of a snow emergency, every vehicle shall immediately be removed from all City streets, alleys and parking lots to permit the inauguration and completion of snow removal activities. Distribution shall be to the Sheriff's Department dispatcher and media outlets to permit the dissemination of the declaration to the public as quickly as possible.
