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1. How do I establish water and other City of Bismarck utility services at a new home or business?

City of Bismarck Utility Billing will need a Utility Service Agreement for Residential or Commercial to be complete by the new owner of the property. The agreement for residential properties can be completed here, or for commercial properties here, or in our office at 601 S 26th St. 

To setup an account for a rental property, the request must come from the property owner, and can be made via this form, in our office at 601 S 26th St, or by contacting via phone at 701-355-1700; option 1. 

Utility Service Agreement for Residential

2. How do I discontinue my City of Bismarck utility bill?

Contact the Water Billing Office customer service number, (701) 355-1700, option 1, with the following information:

• utility bill account number
• physical address
• forwarding address for final bill
• date of sale (ownership change) or move out (rentals only) 

3. What is a unit of water?

One unit of water consumption is 100 cubic feet (HCF), roughly 748.5 gallons. A container five feet long by five feet wide and four feet high would be the equivalent of one unit of water usage.

4. Why is my water consumption so high?

Water consumption is measured by the amount of water that goes through the water meter at your property in a billing period. High daily consumption, greenspace irrigation or other outdoor use, and leaks can all contribute to increases in monthly water consumption. 

The City of Bismarck provides an online tool called Water Analytics to view and monitor monthly, daily, and hourly usage. Sign up for Water Analytics here and see information on how to checking for leaks or read your water meter here.

5. Why is residential water usage on a tiered rate structure?

Our system's base level usage year round is consistently around 200 million gallons a month, however May through September typically see increased usage of up to or over 600 million gallons for greenspace irrigation. We have to invest in a system large enough to be able to produce roughly 3 times more water than we typically sell to assure safe drinking water and fire protection needs are met at all times. Lower water usage and sales in non-peak months save very little expense as most of our costs are fixed and do not go decrease proportionately to decreased usage. Year around, our system must build and maintain enough infrastructure for storage, treatment, and high-service extra pumping costs to serve the city's highest peak needs. Recent rate studies have shown that the peak demands are being largely driven by our residential irrigation users, thus billing tiers to recover appropriate costs from those users. Customers can make usage and irrigation decisions based on their needs and amount they would like to spend. 

6. Where is the City Landfill located?

The Bismarck Landfill is located at 2111 N 52nd St, Bismarck ND 58501.
To get there, head east on Divide Avenue to 52nd Street and turn north.

7. How can I dispose of paint or other hazardous materials?

The Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Center accepts many hazardous household materials. Hazardous Waste and Electronics

8. How often is garbage picked up in Bismarck?

Garbage collection is once a week for Bismarck residents. Collection day is based on the area of town you live in.  All materials for collection must be placed within 3 feet of the curb or alley, whichever is your collection point, before 6:00 AM on your scheduled day of collection.

Residential Garbage Collection Information

9. If my original garbage day lands on a holiday, when will my garbage be picked up?

No collection on the holiday. Garbage collection will be delayed one day throughout the remainder of the week.

Garbage Collection Information

10. What if I have an emergency and my street is blocked with snow?

In the event of an emergency, call 911. If the Police Department determines you have a qualifying emergency, a plow will be dispatched to help emergency crews get access.

11. What are the requirements and restrictions for garbage to be picked up?

• Ashes must be in a box and not in garbage cans
• Branches must be less than four feet long, tied in bundles and weigh less than 50 pounds
• Garbage is collected once a week
• Garbage containers may not be stored on the boulevard
• Garbage must be bagged
• Garbage must be light enough for one man to lift
• Garbage must be placed within 3 feet of curb or alley
• Garbage must be set out by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day
• Private garbage containers cannot exceed 35 gallons
• Regulations for City Issued Waste Containers

Garbage Collection Information

12. What are the regulations for the Automated Waste Collection Containers?

• The container must be set out by 6:00 am on your normally scheduled pick-up day to be emptied.  Trucks will not be rerouted for late placements.
• City issued containers must remain at a property if the property is sold.
• The handle of the container must face the house.
• Garbage must be placed in bags before placed into the container.

Regulations for City Issued Waste Containers

13. What is the difference between inert waste and non-inert waste?

Inert Waste:  Asphalt Gravel Roof, Ceiling Tile, Glass,  Masonite Siding, Masonry, Plaster, Roofing Paper, Sheetrock, Shingles & Tar, Steel Siding, Vinyl Siding, Wood, Wooden Furniture

Municipal Waste:  Ashes, Carpet, Fiber Glass, Food Waste (sandwich bags, discarded meat & veg), Insulation Board, Insulating Material (all), Paper, Plastic (poly-sheets, shrink plastic, etc), Silicon Tubes, Styrofoam, Upholstered Furniture, Wiring/Circuitry (internal)

Landfill Fees

Landfill Information

14. How do I report a street light or stop light that is malfunctioning?

Call the Public Works office at (701)355-1700 with the exact location or address of the malfunctioning street light or stop light or submit Report a Concern.

Request Tracker system

15. How do I report a large pothole?

Call the Public Works office at (701)355-1700 with the exact location or address of the malfunctioning street light or stop light or submit Report a Concern.

Request Tracker system