Fountain Water District

Fountain Water District’s Mission

The Fountain Water District’s mission is to provide water service to customers in rural Monroe County, IL who would not otherwise have access to water service other than private wells or cisterns.  As Monroe County continues to grow, the Fountain Water District will continue to expand its services to supply more rural customers with water service. Being around for over 3 decades, our mission remains just as clear – to deliver the highest quality water service to rural Monroe County Illinois.

Who We Are

Not-For-Profit Public Utility

The Fountain Water District was formed by order of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners in 1978. Due to funding problems and high interest rates, the district did not begin operation until 1993. The District is a not-for-profit entity and is governed by a seven member Board of Trustees that is responsible for determining rates for service, district policies and expansions, and other matters related to the management and operation of the Fountain Water District. The members of the Board of Trustees reside within the district’s bounds and are appointed by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners to serve five year, alternating terms. The Board elects a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary – treasurer internally.

The Fountain Water District was formed by order of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners in 1978. Due to funding problems and high interest rates, the district did not begin operation until 1993. The District is a not-for-profit entity and is governed by a seven member Board of Trustees that is responsible for determining rates for service, district policies and expansions, and other matters related to the management and operation of the Fountain Water District. The members of the Board of Trustees reside within the district’s bounds and are appointed by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners to serve five year, alternating terms. The Board elects a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary – treasurer internally.

Self Sustaining

The Fountain Water District has no taxing authority and therefore secures its capital for construction and expansion projects by issuing revenue bonds. Operation and maintenance costs, bond and interest repayment costs, bond reserve funds, and depreciation reserve funds are all funded by water sales revenues. The FWD currently provides more than 1,300 rural customers and the city of Valmeyer with water service.

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Customer Service

Water meters are read on or near the 15th day of each month, depending on weather conditions. Water bills are calculated using an alternating method of applying an actual meter reading one month and an estimated reading the next month.

Bills are printed on or near the 25th day of each month, accounting for the occurrence of holidays or weekends, which will move the printing day up accordingly. Bills are mailed prior to the 1st day of each month and payment is due on the 16th day of the month. This day may vary according to the number of days in the month.

Updated Rates *effective February 25, 2024

Minimum Bill on standard meter (0-1000 gallons) = $34
Minimum Bill on 1.5” and larger meter (0-1000 gallons) = $53

1001-5000 gallons = $11.00/thousand
5001 and up = $10.00/thousand

Should payment not be received by the due date, the delinquent customer’s account is assessed a 10% late penalty. Should payment not be received after thirty days, water service to the delinquent customer shall be subject to disconnection. If disconnection occurs, a re-connection fee of $100.00 in addition to any outstanding account balances are due prior to re-connection.

how to read your fountain water district bill

If you are moving and require a final reading, please contact us at least 48 hours before the final reading is needed.

Payments may be sent via mail by check or money order, while cash or check payments can be made at the Fountain Water District office during available hours. For after hour or weekend payments, there is a drop box located to the right of the office door for our customer’s convenience.

Pay By Phone
Make a one-time payment over the phone. Call us at (618) 935-2121. We will need your account number, routing number, and bank name/location.

Automatic Monthly Payments
We can set you up for automatic payments from your checking account each month. Your statement will still be mailed on the 25th of each month. We will then process your payment on the 16th of the following month (the due date listed on your statement). To initiate this service, you will need to complete an authorization form and attach a voided check or deposit slip.

1. Review the FWD service Rules & Regulations. Fill out an application for service.
2. Contact the Fountain Water District office to secure a contract for water service. A $50.00 deposit is required to effectuate the contract. The balance of the contract amount for water service is due when the meter vault is to be installed. If a new line extension is required to provide service, the balance of the contract amount is due when the bid for the extension is let.
3. Fountain Water District installs a meter vault and six-foot extension for the homeowner to tap onto.
4. The homeowner contracts with a plumber to connect his home to the Fountain Water District waterline. The Fountain Water District then installs the customer’s water meter and turns on water service.
5. Take a drink & enjoy the benefits, quality, and dependability of Fountain Water District’s water service.

*Additional Considerations
If the district has no plans to serve the applicant’s needs, it is necessary to meet with the Fountain Water District Board of Trustees to discuss the possibility of an extension of the district’s water main.

If the applicant is in an area outside the boundaries of the Fountain Water District, and the area is directly adjacent to the boundaries of the district, the area can be annexed into the district by petition, by securing signatures of 75% of the property owners in the annexable area.

Fountain Water District requires a $100 credit deposit on any service to be paid by the tenant. This deposit is held in a separate account. When the tenant leaves the property, the deposit is applied to the final balance (if any) and the remainder is returned.

Fountain Water District service expansions are for the good of the entire community. As a non-profit, the FWD’s only mission is to provide customers with reliable and safe drinking water service. Securing easements for the construction of its waterlines is vital to this mission.

A landowner easement:

  • Improves the value of the land that the line travels through.
  • FWD lines are equipped with flush hydrants, expanding fire protection.
  • Allows residents who need water service because of polluted or unreliable wells &
    cisterns to get that service.

Please grant the Fountain Water District a private easement if requested to do so. If you have questions, please contact us or our legal counsel, that coordinates easement procedures.

Easements are vital to the Fountain Water District to facilitate the expansion of our water facility to provide safe and reliable water service to those who need it. They are also important to:

  • Minimize Intrusion – A private easement allows the FWD to place the waterline in the
    most desirable & efficient location as it crosses private property, so we can avoid
    disturbing as much of the property as possible.
  • Less Mess, More Convenient – A private easement allows the FWD to locate
    waterlines outside of the public right-of-way (which is most often in the ditch along the
    road). This keeps the ditches and road shoulder in better condition, minimizes erosion,
    and makes less of a mess during construction. Also, the FWD’s contractors are under the
    obligation to repair or make good all damage to property disturbed during construction,
    unless otherwise indicated.
  • Security – A private easement allows the FWD to place the waterline in the most
    secure location. Keeping the waterline out of the public right-of-way (road ditch)
    ensures that it will not have to be relocated in the future, interrupting service and
    costing the District and its customers to pay for the move. Waterlines are also more
    protected from damage when they can be located outside of the public right-of-way.

If you have any questions about easements, the easement process, or other related matters, please contact our legal counsel. Thank you for your cooperation! We cannot maintain our commitment to our customers & mission without your support & cooperation

Important Forms

Autopay Authorization
Application for Service
FWD Rules & Regulations

Have more questions? Please give us a call at (618) 935-2121

Service Area Map

Fountain Water District map

View Fountain Water District service area map on a larger map

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Board of Trustees

The Fountain Water District is governed by a seven member Board of Trustees, all of whom reside within the bounds of the District. Each trustee is appointed by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners to represent the public’s interest with regard to rates for service, policies, expansions, and other matters related to the management and operation of the Fountain Water District. Trustees serve five-year, alternating terms on the Board. The Fountain Water District Board of Directors meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in the Monroe County Board of Commissioners Office in the Monroe County Courthouse in Waterloo, Illinois.

  • Matthew Schmitz – Chairman
  • James Sebolt – Vice Chairman
  • Darren Johanning – Trustee
  • Steve Mueller – Trustee
  • Mike Sullivan – Trustee
  • Matthew Stuckmeyer – Trustee
  • Ronald Stumpf – Trustee

Personnel

The District’s staff of personnel are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the District’s water plant & distribution system, as well as billing, accounting, & customer service. Their dedication & hard work makes the District run smoothly. To maintain the highest levels of safety & quality in the delivery of our customer’s tap water, our District’s certified plant operators attend periodic training seminars throughout each year.

Contact Us

Send Us A Message

Please use this form to contact us via eMail. If you have an emergency please call us at (618) 935-2121.

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Emergency Contact Information

In the event of a waterline break or significant service interruption:

1. Call the FWD Office at 618-935-2121.
2. Leave a message if no one is available.
3. DO NOT call multiple times or district personnel or trustees at their homes.

Office Address
Fountain Water District
732 Quarry Road
Valmeyer, IL 62295

Office Hours
Monday – Friday 8AM – 3PM
Closed Weekends & Holidays.
Phone: (618) 935-2121

Partners

Legal Counsel

Arthur W. Morris, Esq.
Traughber & Morris LTD.
Columbia, Illinois

Accounting

Keith Brinkmann
J.W. Boyle
Columbia, Illinois

Engineering

Roger Mensing
Curry & Associates, Engineers Inc.
Nashville, Illinois

Plumbing Subcontractor

Nathan Hirsch
Hirsch Plumbing
Waterloo, Illinois

Public Financing

Michael Bowen
Bernardi Securities
Fairview Heights, Illinois