FAQ

If you need to start new service, there is an application to complete and a service connection fee to remit. 

• Moving to Southside? Find our service application here.
• Moving from one home in Southside to another? Find our transfer application here.
• Are you a landlord or real estate agency needing temporary service between residents? Find our temporary service application here.
• Building a new home and need a water meter and/or sewer installation? Find that application here.

If you have any questions, please call our office and we will be happy to assist you.

Southside’s water is groundwater drawn from three (3) wells and water purchased from the City of Gadsden. Our third well was constructed and put into operation in 2023. Southside’s wells draw from the Fort Payne Chert and the Cambrian and Ordovician Rocks undifferentiated.

Each water system must complete a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP). The SWAP is comprised of four distinct activities: delineation of the source water assessment area, contaminant inventory, susceptibility analysis and public awareness. SWWSB has completed each requirement component of the source water assessment and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has approved the plan. The findings of the SWAP are available for your review at the office located at 3001 Highway 77. To provide safe drinking water chlorine is used as a disinfectant.

The Water Works and Sewer Board is pleased to report that our drinking water is safe and meets federal and state requirements. If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact Superintendent of Maintenance Brandon Sewell at (256)-442-8707 between 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. or e-mail your questions to jessica@southsidewater.us.

You can view our annual Water Quality Reports here.

You may not have - the numbers on your meter may have been transposed or hard to read. You could possibly have a leaky toilet or faucet that's difficult to detect. Just call the office and we'll work with you to solve the problem. Also see our tips on how to read your meter and check for leaks.

If you feel a sudden drop in pressure, check your meter and the surrounding area for possible leaks. Next, call our office and report low pressure for your area.

Public water systems are required to provide 20 psi at the water main per the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).

Note: Some Southside Water customers may have a pressure regulator at their residence. A sudden change in pressure could indicate a pressure regulator malfunction. Pressure regulators are on the customer line and not maintained by SSWW.

A repair could have been completed recently allowing air to enter the line, causing the milky look.

Periodically, you will see the City of Southside or Southside Water Works & Sewer Board releasing water from hydrants. Hydrant flushing is necessary to test the hydrants to make sure adequate flow and pressure is available. Flushing is also done to remove sediment from the pipes in order to maintain water clarity and quality in the distribution pipes.

Your water is safe to drink. Occasionally, water becomes discolored after hydrant flushing. If this happens, run your cold water tap for a few minutes until the water clears. If it doesn’t clear the first time, wait a few minutes and run the water again. You should avoid washing clothes until the water clears.

Only chemicals that are approved by the National Safety Foundation for treatment of drinking water.

All public water systems are required to maintain a minimum chlorine level of 0.2 mg/L (tested at the end of each line) by state law. Systems that use chloramine as a disinfectant must maintain a level of 0.5 mg/L by state law. Our disinfectant levels are tested daily to ensure safety.

Most likely your water heater needs to be flushed. CAUTION: Most manufacturers recommend hiring a professional to flush your water heater. If you plan on doing this yourself, read the owner's manual to keep from being hurt and or damaging the water heater.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) which requires all public water suppliers to locate, identify, and submit an inventory of all water line material from the water main to any structure, home, or business.

The EPA has developed an online step-by-step guide to help people identify lead pipes in their homes called Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for Lead.  It is available for viewing at: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/protect-your-tap-quick-check-lead

For more information on reducing lead exposure from your drinking water and the health effects of lead, visit the EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/lead

We may have received it after the due date or we may not have received it at all. Call our office and we will help you solve the problem.

When meter readings are not easily obtainable or unavailable, estimating is an efficient way to accurately bill established customers.

Southside Water Works takes an average of usage over a course of time (usually 6 months) and formulates a reading/usage estimate from this average.

Reasons for Estimates:

• Unable to read meter due to debris or other obstruction in or around meter
• Unable to read meter due to weather
• Broken or malfunctioning meter
• Computer system error
• Emergency situations

Note that if an estimate is too high or too low, your next month’s reading will compensate for this discrepancy. We strive to give you a reasonable estimate to the best of our abilities. Thank you for your understanding.

In early 2017, Southside Elementary and Southside High School requested help collecting donations for their schools.

Southside Water Works and Sewer Board developed a plan to assist the schools by adding 50 cents to each water bill. Before activating this donation, we mailed all customers a letter with the option to opt out or continue to give the donation.

See a copy of the letter here.

At the end of each year the amount collected will be divided equally between the elementary and high schools. We appreciate your contribution to our students

Read about the 2017 donation here.

If you would like this donation removed from your bill, simply call us at (256) 442-8707 and we will inactivate it.

Southside Water Works is not responsible for garbage collection, can requests, pricing, or any other garbage concerns. Payments collected for garbage services through SSWW are remitted to the City.

All current and future garbage-related concerns will be directed to contact Southside City Hall at (256)442-9775.

See a list of pick up days here.

See list of observed holidays here.