Frequently Asked Questions

Normal office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 4:00pm, except for Federal holidays (we will be closed sometime between 11:30 and 12:30 for lunch).  Occasionally due to meetings or other commitments, the office may close early.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

There are several ways you can pay your water bill.  You can pay directly at the Clerk's office, use the drop box outside the Municipal Building, or mail you payments to the Village of Athens, PO Box 220, Athens, WI  54411.  You can also sign up for automatic withdrawal.  Payments are due by the 20th of the month to avoid interest charges.

Dogs kept in the Village must be licensed every year.  Licensing is done in the Village Clerk’s office, 203 Alfred Street.  The license period is January 1^st to December 31^st.  Proof of rabies inoculation is necessary to obtain a license.

 

Fees:  Male/Female, $10.00;  Neutered Male/Spayed Female, $5.00.

 

If licenses are not renewed by March 31st, a $5.00 penalty will be assessed.  If you elect to have the license mailed back to you, you must enclose a self addressed stamped envelope.

 

The Village reads your meter once every three months.  This is done in March, June, September and December.  In the other months, an estimated usage is used.  To get the estimated amount, we use an average of the prior 6 months of usage.  Sometimes you will notice that when we actually read your meter, your billings may be slightly higher or lower than the previous two months.  This is because it is an actual usage billing and is a “catch-up” of the previous three months usage.  For example:

In July, we estimated your usage of:     3,000 gal

In Aug., we estimated your usage of:    3,000 gal

In Sept, when we read your meter,

   we realize you actually used 10,000 gal since the last time we read your meter in June.  So, your September billing will be for 4,000 gal.

 

(Total Gallons used for the quarter    10,000 gal.

         Minus quantity already billed

                               (3,000 + 3,000)   -  6,000 gal

          Quantity to be billed in Sept.      4,000 gal

 

**WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN ABNORMALLY HIGH ACTUAL BILLING**

Because this is a catch-up billing for the previous three months, you need to consider if any of the following happened in the last three months:

1- Did you have a high number of visitors?

2- Did you have any leaky toilets/sinks?  (You can check for leaks in toilets by putting food coloring in the toilet tank..if any colored water appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak)

3-Did you use a hose to water your lawn/flowers, wash your car, or use a sprinker?

4-Were your kids home more than normal due to school vacations?

 

If you don’t feel that any of the above could have happened, please call the Clerk’s office to have your meter read again.