Water & Sewer Department

The City of Empire has over 800 homes in our water and sewer district.  Our water system is governed heavily by the State of Minnesota.  Daily samples are taken and tested.  Our sewer system is governed by Met Council.

Empire invoices out water/sewer quarterly for actual water gallons used.  Sewer is invoiced out using water usage during the months of October through March.  These months are averaged out for the summer months, so you are not invoice out sewage for irrigating or swimming pools.

Tax Assessments
Any balance on Water/Sewer bills will be applied to property taxes on December 15.

City  Watering Ban
If your house number ends in an even number, water on even calendar days.  If it ends in an odd number, water on odd number calendar days.  There will be no watering of yards/gardens between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day.  Citations will be given.  The first offense is $25 and $50 every time after that.  If there is a power outage, please check your irrigation system to make sure the clock is set right. Plan ahead!  With watering lawns come higher water bills!

It shall be unlawful to tamper with any water meter for the purpose of altering the meter reading or accounting of actual water usage.  It shall be unlawful to remove the seal from a sealed water meter, except by an employee of the City, or by a licensed plumber during an emergency.  If a seal is broken by a licensed plumber during an emergency you need to notify the City immediately.  Removing a seal illegally or tampering with a water meter will result in a $500.00 fine.  The City may also pursue remedies to collect revenues lost as a result of tampering.

CONSERVE WATER - SAVE $$$
The City of Empire cannot stress enough the importance of conserving water.  Below is an attachment with water/sewer rates which is less that what the MNDNR recommended for rates.

Also, attached are reminders that were sent out on previous billings on how to conserve water and reasons why we need to conserve.  Please review.