Where does Cherokee
get its water?
Our water comes from seventeen municipal
wells located in the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Basin. Eight
wells are located approximately ten miles north of Ellicott.
Currently, these wells are not being used for out of basin
use (most of Cherokee's customer base lays outside the basin)
due to a court ruling limiting their use. The remaining
nine wells are located ten miles south of Ellicott and currently
provide all water for the District. All of the wells pump
water from an alluvial aquifer located 150 - 200 feet below
the ground. Through natural filtering processes the water
has been purified and meets safe drinking water standards.
Return to top.
Why are there water restrictions if
there has been so much precipitation lately?
Our current
water restrictions are not due to drought or the level of precipitation
received. Restrictions have been implemented due to a court
ruling limiting the use of eight of our seventeen supply wells.
These eight wells account for 40% of our total water supply.
To ensure that our customers have an adequate supply, we have
implemented water restrictions to control water usage from the
remaining nine wells. Return to top.
Does Cherokee have enough water?
Yes, by carefully monitoring and controlling
the use of water from our nine southern wells, we can provide
an adequate supply to our customers. Return
to top.
Why did our rates increase again?
The monthly sewer charge was the second
phase increase to fund the construction of our new wastewater
treatment facility. This is a multi-million dollar project to
upgrade our wastewater treatment capabilities. Our new facility
will eventually include a recharge plant capable of recharging
our supply basin.
The monthly street light fee was increased
due to rising electrical and maintenance costs.
Return to top.
Can I attend Board meetings?
Yes, we encourage our customers to attend
Board meetings to learn more about our organization. Meetings
are held at our office the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30
p.m. Return to top.
How do I sign up for service?
Renters (businesses included) are required
to visit our office to sign up for service. You will need to
fill out a short application and provide a $50.00 deposit.
Customers who are owners or purchasing
the property to be serviced simply need to call our office to
sign up for service. Return to top.
I am buying a home in your District.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
No, only renters are required to pay the
$50.00 deposit to activate service. Return
to top.
If I am a renting a home in your District,
why do I have to pay a $50.00 deposit?
The deposit is used to help pay for your
final bill once you terminate service with Cherokee. Your deposit
will accrue interest until you final your account. Return
to top.
Is the deposit refundable?
Yes, your deposit and the accrued interest
will be applied to your final bill. Return
to top.
How much notice is required to sign
up for service?
Cherokee requires at least
24 hours advanced notice to activate new service.
Return to top.
I moved into my home this weekend
and have no water.
How do I get my water on?
To ensure that your water service is on
before you move in, please contact our office during business
hours to establish service. However, if you are not able to
do so or if you consider it to be an emergency, call 597-5080
and our answering service will contact our on-call service technician
to assist you. Per our policy the water will not be turned on
until the following day. For example: If you call on a Friday
night at 9:00 p.m., your water will not be turned on until Saturday
morning. Renters will need to pay the service technician the
$50.00 deposit to activate service. Return
to top.
How do I terminate service?
Cherokee requires at least 24 hours advanced
notice to terminate service. To close your account simply call
our office and provide the requested information, including
your desired termination date. (Note: Final readings are taken
only Monday - Friday.) Return to top.
Can services be automatically transferred
back to the owner?
No, we require the individual requesting
service to contact our office to activate a new account. Return
to top.
Why is my residential water bill $33.69,
but I didn't use any water?
Provided service has a base charge of $33.69
per month. This includes a $24.48 wastewater charge, an $8.21
meter service/water availability charge and a $1.00 street light
charge. If you have an active account with Cherokee and use
no water, you will still be charged $33.69 each month.
Return to top.
I moved but I am still receiving a
bill, why is this?
If you have moved out of the District and
are still receiving a bill, you most likely did not contact
our office to terminate services. You will be responsible for
any balance owing until you request a final reading to deactivate
your account. Return to top.
What forms of payment can I use to
pay my bill?
We accept checks and money order payments
via mail. Payments can also be made at our office using checks,
money orders, cash or credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard and
Discover). We also accept credit/debit card payments over the
phone with a $2.50 transaction fee. Return
to top.
Why do you charge a $2.50 transaction
fee for credit/debit card payments over the phone?
This is a convenience charge to cover expenses associated
with credit card fees billed to Cherokee. Return
to top.
When will I be able to pay my bill
online?
We are currently working to develop online
payment capabilities. Please use one of our many other payment
options currently available. Return to top.
Do you have any drop boxes available
in town to drop off payments?
Yes, we have one 24 hour drop box located
on the west end of our building located at 6250 Palmer Park
Blvd. (Note: Please do not place cash in the drop box, we are
not responsible for any loss). Return to top.
Why was my water turned off when I
have until 5:00 p.m. on the disconnect date to pay my bill?
Disconnections begin at 8:00 a.m. on the
disconnect date. If we have not received your payment by 8:00
a.m., your water will be turned off between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. on the disconnect date shown on your notice. Return
to top.

Why was my water turned off if I
haven't received a bill?
It is your responsibility to contact our
office if you are not receiving your monthly bill to determine
your account status. Return to top.
Are there any fees to have my service
reconnected due to a disconnection?
Yes, you will be required to pay your full
balance owing plus a $25.00 reconnect fee during business hours
(Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) to reconnect services.
If it is after hours, a weekend or a holiday, you will be required
to pay the full balance plus a $45.00 reconnect fee. Return
to top.
Why do you charge a reconnect fee
to turn my water back on?
The reconnect fee covers labor and travel
expenses associated with the disconnection and reconnection
of your service. Return to top.
It's after hours and I have an emergency.
What should I do?
Immediately call 597-5080 to contact our
answering service, they will relay a message to our on call
service technician. Our service technician will contact you
to address your emergency. Return to top.
I noticed a street light that is out
or not working properly. How can I get it fixed?
Contact our office at 597-5080 to describe
the problem you are experiencing and the street light location.
We will contact Mountain View Electric or Colorado Springs Utilities
to have the problem fixed. Repairs generally take four to six
weeks. Return to top.
Why do I have to pay a street light
fee if there is no street light near my home?
The street light fee covers all expenses
to operate all street lights within the District including major
thoroughfares. Expenses include electrical and maintenance costs.
Return to top.
Do you have a park with a playground,
restrooms and picnic tables?
Yes, Cimarron Eastridge Park, located at
Constitution Avenue and Shawnee Drive has all of these amenities
plus a pavilion and baseball fields. Restrooms are available
only if the pavilion has been reserved (see below). In addition,
Fredericksburg Park, located at Fredericksburg Road and Petersburg
Court has a playground and picnic tables. Return
to top.
I noticed a pavilion at Cimarron Eastridge
Park. Can I reserve it for a party?
Yes, to reserve the pavilion call or visit
our office to check availability. Reservations require a $25.00
non-refundable deposit and a $50.00 or $75.00 refundable damage
deposit. Restroom facilities will be cleaned prior to your reservation
and made available for your use. Your damage deposit will be
mailed back to you upon inspection of the facilities after your
reservation. Return to top.
I noticed baseball fields at Cimarron
Eastridge Park. Can I reserve them?
Yes, baseball fields may be used on a first
come first serve basis unless they have been reserved. Stop
by our office if you would like to reserve a baseball field.
One or both fields may be reserved for $5.00/hour per field.
Return to top.
WATER
RESTRICTION FAQ's
Can
I wash my vehicle?
Will we always have water restrictions?
When can I buy a sod permit, how do I get
one and how much do they cost?
How long can I water with a permit?
Our Winter Stage restrictions are in
effect until March 31, 2007; please see the table below for
watering times. Return to top.
|
STAGE
|
MONTHS
|
RESTRICTIONS
|
ADDRESSES
|
TIME
ALLOWED
|
WATERING
TIMES
|
| ODD |
EVEN |
|
Winter
(In effect)
|
November
- March
|
Once
per month
|
1st Saturday
of the month
|
1st Sunday
of the month
|
Not to
exceed 2 hours per watering day
|
10 am
- 3 pm Above 40°F
|
|
Car washing
permitted
|
Beginning April 1, 2007, Stage 2 restrictions
take effect and you may water your lawn two days a week. See
the table below for more information.
|
STAGE
|
MONTHS
|
RESTRICTIONS
|
ADDRESSES
|
TIME
ALLOWED
|
WATERING
TIMES
|
| ODD |
EVEN |
|
Stage
2
(Effective
April 1, 2001)
|
April
- October
|
2 times
per week
|
Tuesday
Saturday
|
Wednesday
Sunday
|
Not to
exceed 2 hours per watering day
|
Before
9 am After 6 pm
|
|
Car washing
permitted
|
Can I wash my vehicle?
Yes, you may wash your vehicle on any
day at any time using a hose equipped with a positive shut-off
nozzle. Return to top.
Will we always have water restrictions?
Yes, we are committed to promoting the
responsible use of our limited resource. To that end we will
always be in one stage of our water conservation plan. To achieve
this goal it is important to make every effort to conserve and
provide water for both current and future generations. Return
to top
When can I buy a sod permit, how do
I get one and how much do they cost?
Sod permits will be available April 1,
2007 through May 15, 2007 and September 1, 2007 through September
30, 2007.To acquire a permit visit our office and provide proof
of purchase for both your sod or seed and top soil used for
soil amendment. Permits cost $50.00 and allow for the installation
of up to 1,500 square feet of sod or seed. Return
to top.
How long can I water with a permit?
Permits allow daily watering for a four
week period. Watering must take place before 9:00 a.m. or after
6:00 p.m. Return to top.