A:
Wells are prohibited by covenant on most High Knob lots; check
your convenants to determine if you are allowed to have a well.
Be sure to check your covenants, and don’t take a
neighbor’s word — there are many sets of covenants covering
lots in the High Knob Subdivison. If a well is allowed, you must
obtain the proper permits from the Virginia Department of Health
before drilling.
Note:
You must not connect your well water supply to your domestic
water supply without the installation of an approved backflow
prevention device on your service connection to HKUI mains. This
is to prevent the backflow of water from your well into the HKUI
system. Contact HKUI for more information.
Q:
Where can I get a copy of my covenants?
A:
Covenants are on file at the Warren County Clerk’s office.
You must know the block and lot number of your property, for example,
Block CC, lot 3. This information can be found on your deed or
other legal documents describing your property. Alternatively,
you may contact the High Knob Owners Association Covenants Committee
for an answer to your covenant question. Call or email the HKOA
office for more information.
Q:
Can I turn off my water at the meter while I am travelling for
an extended period, or for plumbing work?
A:
No. Customers are prohibited from operating or tampering with
the meter in any way — HKUI takes this matter very seriously.
You can request a temporary discontinuation of water service with
a water shutoff at the meter. This is highly recommended
to prevent damage and loss caused by leaks during the homeowner's
absence. The $81.00 quarterly water service charge continues to
apply during the period of temporary discontinuation of service.
A fee of $25.00 covers both the shutoff and restoration of water
service. This fee appears on the next water bill.
Q:
The pipe between the HKUI meter and my house froze and burst,
leaking thousands of gallons of water — am I responsible
for paying for the leaked water?
A:
Customers are responsible for payment of all water use registered
by the meter. However, in the event of an underground leak on
the customer’s property, the customer may apply for an abatement
of 50% of the amount of excess in a water bill due to this cause,
based on an average of the previous three consecutive quarterly
bills, provided the customer promptly and properly repairs such
leak when detected. Application for underground leak abatement
must be made in writing to HKUI, 17 Windy Way, Front Royal VA
22630.
Please
note that there can be no abatement for leaks caused by improper
or damaged service pipes or fixtures belonging to the customer
(burst pipes in the home, leaking toilets, vandalism, etc.)
Customers
are advised to arrange for a Temporary Discontinuation of Service
when leaving High Knob for an extended period, avoiding the possibility
of a large water bill caused by a leak.
Q:
I have a leak in the water line between the meter and my house
— will HKUI repair the problem?
A:
No. HKUI is responsible for its water system up to and including
the meter. Pipes and fixtures on the customer’s side of the
meter are the customer’s responsibility. Contact a local
plumber to complete the repair.
Q:
Where does the High Knob water come from?
A:
The High Knob water system obtains its source water from five
springs and six wells located on High Knob property. Storage capacity
is provided by 11 concrete reservoirs.
Q:
How safe is my water?
A:
All water is chlorinated and tested according to VDH requirements.
The system has been approved by and is inspected regularly by
the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). This strict testing regimen
is carried out throughout the year, and includes in-home samples.
An annual water quality report is provided to each HKUI customer,
usually in the second quarter of the year. In the latest report
(covering 2002), HKUI had no violations for microbiological, unregulated,
and radiological contaminants, or inorganic and volatile organic
compounds. Slightly elevated levels of lead and copper were found,
just above the permissible levels. The cause of these elevated
levels is unknown, and further testing is underway.
Q:
The water pressure in my house is low — what can HKUI do
about it?
A:
Situated on a mountainside, the High Knob water system is almost
entirely gravity fed. Changes in elevation will affect the water
pressure delivered to each customer. HKUI will provide a minimum
pressure of 20 pounds per square inch (PSI) at the meter.
Some
homes may be built at a considerable height above the meter connection,
and the customer may find that the pressure in the home is noticeably
less than that furnished from the mains of the company, due to
the difference in elevation. In this case, the customer must install
at his own expense a tank and/or booster pump, of a type and installation
approved by HKUI and conforming to applicable regulations and
codes. Contact HKUI for more information.
Q:
The water mains supplying my house were shut down temporarily
— service has been restored, but why am I still not getting
any water in my house?
A:
Some homes serviced by HKUI employ pressure tanks or booster pumps
to increase the water pressure. When mains pressure to these devices
is interrupted, these devices can prevent normal water delivery
when pressure is restored. Contact HKUI for further information.
