Frequently Asked Questions
As a new homeowner/renter why do I need a sewer utility?
The sanitary code of the State of Louisiana, administered by the Department of Health and Hospitals, requires subdivisions with 15 or more connections to have a community sewer system. This system consists of sewer mains, sewer manholes, usually one lift station and a sewer treatment plant. The sewer mains are underground, but you can usually see the sewer manhole covers, the lift station and the sewer plant.
Does MDU take care of every sewer problem I experience?
MDU is staffed by certified water and wastewater operators 24 hours per day/ 7 days per week. Your call to our toll-free number (800-711-6185) is monitored 24/7 as well. A supervisor will promptly answer your call to help you determine if a sewer problem is in your service line or in our main line. Your service line is a 4” pipe running from your home into the collection line. You may tie-in with a neighbor into a 6” pipe before entering the main line. Our supervisor will ask if you are the only neighbor having this problem, how often this problems occurs, and other questions to help you troubleshoot whether the problem is in your line or in our collection system or sewer plant. The customer takes care of problems in their home and 4” service line. MDU takes care of issues beyond the “tap”, usually near the street. If a supervisor tells you that the problem is in your service line, MDU may charge up to $50.00 to inspect the site if the problem is, indeed, in your service line. You will still need to call a plumber since we can’t work on service lines.
What’s this white pipe sticking out in my yard?
Usually the 4” white pipe, with a push-on cap or a screw-on cap, is your sewer cleanout. MDU wants to encourage you to never bury this pipe below ground level and always protect the pipe from lawnmowers. At some point in the future you will be glad to know where this clean-out is located to determine a blockage and keep backups out of your home. This is one of the main places a plumber will use to clean out your drains one day. Replace the cap if it becomes damaged: otherwise, your yard will smell bad and your sewer lines will clog. In the event of major storms and power outages you must remove these cleanout caps to eliminate the possibility of sewerage backing up into your home.
What about the fees and monthly rate?
As stated earlier, our rates are approved by the LA Public Service Commission according to each subdivision. Here’s an explanation of fees charged by sewer companies:
Your monthly rate varies according to the LPSC tariff of your subdivision. Your monthly bill will reflect the rate effective in your subdivision. Unregistered Customers are liable for six months of back charges. The monthly LDEQ Fee is a pass-through charge allowed by LPSC to pay for the discharge permit issued by LA Department of Environmental Quality each year.
A Tap Fee ($150.00) is an administrative fee charged to the first resident. This fee may be collected and paid by the developer/builder, but not always. A sewer utility only has one customer: the person living in the home. The actual TAP is made by a plumber. MDU has the right to inspect the TAP before it is covered with dirt. We ask that you call us to make this inspection. In rare instances when MDU has to physically make the TAP (tie in your line to ours), additional charges will apply ($450.00). Customers on low pressure sewer systems need to request additional information.
An Administration Fee is charged to each subsequent resident of the home when ownership/lessee/renter changes.
A Deposit is easy enough to understand. LPSC allows us to collect 2.5 times the monthly rate for a deposit which is refundable when you move from the home or after three years by your request. If you were a MDU customer before and your account was responsibly paid, we can waive the deposit.
Reconnection Fee is a $85-$450 charge for reconnecting your service if disconnected for non-payment. Disconnection is usually by your water company disconnecting your water service. If MDU has an Agreement with the water provider, disconnection will be made by water disconnect. If such an Agreement is not in place, sewer disconnection will be made by backhoe followed by notice to DHH which can lead to eviction.
A Returned Check Fee ($20.00), Delinquent Fee (5%), and a Service Charge ($50.00) - when the company makes a call when the trouble is in the consumer’s service line - are other possible charges.
MDU bills in advance of the month of service. We mail bills on or about the 27th of each month with payment due on the 22nd of the month of service to avoid a delinquent fee. Payment can be made at our office at 9000 Cook Road in Denham Springs, by mail (no cash), bank draft or credit card payments through WWW.MDUONLINE.COM (go to Payment on this same site). Contact the office for more details if needed.
How can I help keep my rates as low as possible?
Cooking oils/grease poured down a drain badly damages your plumbing and our collection and treatment efforts. Please dispose of grease via garbage collection.
Your sewer treatment system is not a municipal system, so please avoid flushing any items that are not marked “flushable”. Disposable does not mean flushable. As an example, please do not flush:
any fabric (rags or clothing)
plastic bags
mop heads
towels (paper or cloth)
swiffer/mopping pads
condoms
feminine hygiene products
diapers
pledge wipes.
In conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about your sewer service and MDU. We look forward to a long and strong relationship with you and your neighbors. Our office is open from 8:30am until 4:30pm Monday through Thursday, and 8:30am until 2:00pm on Friday. Karen is happy to assist you with billing questions and service calls. Our operators are Robert, Al, Chad, Buddy, Asllan, and Mike. Mitchell takes care of lawn maintenance and our sampling program. Ronda serves as our environmental permitting and compliance specialist. Dan is the company manger who welcomes your call if a problem or concern has not been addressed completely. You will see these men in your neighborhood in white trucks and MDU burgundy shirt/grey pants uniform. This description is for your safety. Other than in matters of disconnection for non-payment, it is rare that anyone from MDU would knock on your door unless you’ve called.