▼

Good Neighbor Fund

Show All Answers

1. How can I apply for the Good Neighbor Fund?

Call the Salvation Army at 716-664-4108 to make an appointment. A very short simple form is required stating your hardship with a copy of your BPU bill. The process is quick and easy. The Salvation Army verifies your hardship, then the BPU qualifies your consistent payment record before final approval is made. 

Location

The Salvation Army is located at the following location:

81 S Main Street
Brooklyn Square
Jamestown, NY 14701

2. How can the fund help?

The fund can provide up to a one-time $250 payment on your bill, limited to one payment a year. Aid is one a first-come, first-served basis. At any time, income from the Fund may be depleted and assistance may not be available.

3. Who were John Alfred and Oscar Johnson?

John Alfred Johnson immigrated to Jamestown from Sweden to live near his brother Oscar who worked as a contractor in our area. John worked for a local manufacturer in the day and for Oscar at night.

Although he became an American citizen, John was proud of his Swedish heritage and thought of himself and his friends as the “working man.” He labored hard, saving and investing his money. To take effect upon his death, he created the Johnson Foundation which Jamestown Swedish Consul and Attorney John Sellstrom and his wife Carole, operated in accordance with Johnson’s wishes. 

The Starting of the Fund

They endowed the John Alfred and Oscar Johnson Memorial Trust/BPU Good Neighbor Fund in December, 2014, to be held in perpetuity at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

▼

Heat Pump Rebate Program

Show All Answers

1. Who is eligible for rebates?

All BPU service class 1 and 2 electric customers are eligible for rebates.  If you are unsure of your service class, please contact the BPU Customer Service Office at (716) 661-1660.

2. How are rebates are issued?

Upon verification, property owners will receive a check for the approved rebate amount. If the customer’s account is in arrears, a portion or all of the rebate may be applied to the account.

3. What are the rebate limits?

The rebate limit for Heat Pumps is $5,000 per year for property owner.  

4. Do all Heat Pumps qualify for the program?

No, only CEE tiers 1,2,3 air source heat pumps and Energy Star-certified heat pump water heaters qualify for the program.

5. What are the required ratings for each of the CEE tiers for air source heat pumps?

Tier Level	Seasonal Energy   Efficiency Rating (SEER)	Energy Efficiency  Rating (EER)	Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF)
Tier 1	>= 15	>= 11	>= 9.0
Tier 2	>= 16	>= 11	>= 9.5
Tier 3	>= 18	>= 11.5	>= 10

▼

Public Power

Show All Answers

1. What do I do if the power goes out?

First, look outside and see if the outage has included your neighbors. If it hasn't, the problem may be within your own home. Check your fuse box or circuit breaker panel to see if you can locate the problem. If the neighboring houses are dark too, look for trees or branches on the lines, downed wires, flashes of light, or any other signs of trouble. Do not touch or attempt to move any electric lines or trees or any other obstacles in contact with electric lines.

Contact Us

When an outage occurs please call the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) at 716-661-1640. During or after a major storm, calling will take a great deal of patience because many other people are also trying to call. It is natural to be tempted to ask how long the power will be out, but it is an almost impossible question to answer. Be assured we will get to you as soon as we can. There is no need to keep calling. However, if your power was restored and then failed again, or if you are in one of those small pockets of dark houses when the rest of the neighborhood has had its power restored, please call again. 

Also, tune your battery operated radio to local stations, as we give updates to the public as to the status of repairs.

You Can Help

When an outage occurs or lasts for an extended period of time, a heavy burden is placed on the system at the moment the power is restored. This high demand can cause an overload on the system and you could lose power once again.

Read the following prompts to know what to do with your appliances while waiting for the power to turn back on:

• Always keep a flashlight and battery-powered radio on hand for emergencies.  
• Make sure that your electric range has been turned off and that other heat-producing appliances are off as well because, if left on, they can pose a serious fire hazard after the power has been restored.
• Turn everything off in your home except one light.

When the one light you have left on glows, you will know that the power has been restored and you may gradually switch your appliances back on and return thermostats to their normal settings.

2. What is public power?

Public Power is the term used to describe not-for-profit publicly owned electric utilities that are operated by a municipality, county, state or other public body such as a public utility district. Public Power systems are directly accountable to the people they serve. 

Private Power

Private Power sells electricity to make a profit. Profits go to stockholders all over the country. Public power systems are not run to make a profit. All the benefits from public power stay at home in the form of lower rates, improved services, and other community contributions. Public ownership of a utility is like owning your own home. Private ownership is like renting it.                   

3. What are the benefits of public power?

The following are benefits of Public Power:

• Commitment to Conservation, safety, and the environment
• Competition
• Economic Development
• Efficient Service
• Local Control
• Lower Rates
• Reliability

4. How do rates compare?

Public power rates, on a national average, are much lower than rates of private power companies. Residential customers of a private utility pay 30% more than public customers and the average private commercial / industrial customer pays about 10% more than a public customer. This difference has been steady for about the past 50 years.

5. Why are public power rates lower?

• Leads the industry in providing efficient, low-cost electric service                         
• They are not-for-profit and do not pay dividends to outside stockholders
• They are more efficiently managed than private companies averaging about 10% less in administrative and general expenses                
• Do not pay federal income taxes
• Can issue tax-free bonds for capital expansion, which provide financing at a lower cost than taxable private corporate bonds          
• Have relatively more access than do private power companies to low-cost hydroelectricity marketed by federal and state agencies at cost-based prices. The power from these publicly owned projects is sold first to not-for-profit, consumed-owned utilities            

6. What are the other economic benefits of public power?

On a national average, public power systems pay proportionately more of their annual gross electric revenues to the communities in which they operate than do private companies. Payments may be in the form of taxes, tax equivalent or in-lieu-of-tax payments, direct transfers to general funds or contribution of services. Public power systems also play a major role in promoting overall community development. For example, low-cost electric service is an inducement to new business and industry, which broadens the tax base and crates more jobs and local income.

7. What are the national economic benefits of public power?

Public power competition gives state and federal regulation more muscle and provides a constant "yardstick" by which to compare private company rates and service. Time and again, private companies have lowered rates or granted concessions to customers when confronted with citizen or local government interest in the public power option.

8. How is public power responsive to its consumer-owners?

Consumers set the pace for public power policy making. Policy board meetings are open to the public and consumers have a direct voice in expressing their goals and priorities for the community and its electric utility.

9. How are public power systems regulated?

Public power systems are regulated by their consumer-owners through locally elected or appointed officials. In a few states (such as New York), public power is regulated by state utility departments. Some city councils govern their utilities, others are governed by an independent elected or appointed utility board such as the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities. In any case, they are accountable to the citizens they serve.

▼

Recycling

Show All Answers

1. What is the recyclable this week?

The recyclable for this week is shown on our homepage. View the recycling calendar (PDF).

Garbage and Recycling Guidelines

2. How can I get a copy of the Recycling Calendar?

• You can download the English version here: English Recycling Calendar-Revised (PDF).
• Puede descargar la versión en español aquí : Spanish Recycling Calendar (PDF).
• Call the Garbage Hotline at 716-661-1651 or Communications at 716-661-1680 to request that a calendar be mailed to your home.
• Copies are also available for pick-up at the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Customer Service Office located at 92 Steele Street.

3. What are the hours and phone number of the South County Transfer Station?

You can call the South County Transfer Station at 716-665-6894 to find out their hours.

4. What are corrugated cardboard and boxboard?

Corrugated cardboard is defined as “two pieces of heavy paper (usually brown) with a wavy layer in between them.” It is a mandatory recyclable item and must be placed at the curb.

Recycling Cardboard

The following is how to recycle specific kinds of cardboard:

• Cardboard should be flattened and placed within the recycling container or the flattened pieces may be contained in one larger box.
• Used pizza boxes are considered dirty and should be broken down and put in regular garbage bags.
• Boxboard (such as cereal boxes, soda cartons, food boxes and most shoe boxes) is accepted as a Board of Public Utilities (BPU) recyclable.

5. What can I do with my yard waste?

Yard Waste should be brought to the Monroe Street Yard Waste Site, located off 8th Street. Visit the Yard Waste page to view more details.

6. What can I do with paint cans?

• Paint cans may be discarded in the trash if the can is empty or the paint is dried.  
• Kitty litter may be placed in liquid paint cans to dry the paint.
• Once dry, the cans may be left at the curb with lids removed, without being placed in garbage bags.     

7. What can I do with my magazines and paperback books?

These items may be recycled with newspapers along with junk mail and office paper.

8. What can I do with hard cover books?

Hard cover books may be discarded in the trash.

9. Do newspapers have to be covered?

Newspapers no longer have to be kept dry when they are placed at the curb, therefore the recycling container is not required to have a lid.

10. What can I do with colored glass?

The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) no longer recycles glass.

11. Can I recycle Styrofoam?

Currently, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) does not recycle Styrofoam and it should be placed in the trash.

▼

Residential Recycling Credit Program

Show All Answers

1. Can I use a different container to recycle other than the orange bin?

EACH WEEK, YOU MUST PLACE YOUR ORANGE RFID BIN AT THE CURB. 

 You may use your older yellow bin or separate container (box) marked with “Recycling” or “R” for overflow but the orange bin must be at the curb holding recyclables on your regular recycling day in order to earn the recycling rebate credit on your regular bill. 

2. Why did the BPU implement the Residential Recycling Credit Program?

City of Jamestown residential customers had a recycling rate of only 35%. The BPU encourages customers to increase recycling through this program. Recycling is a requirement made by New York State and is included in the City Charter. 

3. What happens if my recycling container is stolen?

Your recycling container has been assigned to a specific address. If it is lost or stolen, please call the Garbage Hotline. 

4. What happens if my recycling container breaks?

Residents should contact the Garbage Hotline to report a broken container and to request a replacement. 

5. Are customers that live elsewhere for a certain part of the year going to be penalized for not recycling?

These customers may sign an affidavit form on our website or in BPU Customer Service. Such customers, while away, will be charged based on their recycling history. If a resident recycles on a regular basis, he /she will be eligible for the credit while out of town. 

6. How much closer does the new program bring the BPU to single stream recycling?

We continue to look into a single stream recycling program; however, at this time it is not economically feasible. With our current program, we are paid for a portion of our recyclables. In addition, the closest facility that accepts single stream recycling is approximately 40 miles away so we would incur transportation costs as well. 

7. What if I don’t have recyclables every week?

Customers will receive the credit if they recycle at least once during their billing cycle. However, customers are encouraged to recycle every week. 

8. How will multi-unit houses be charged?

Each unit is assigned its own account number. When distributed, the containers should be clearly marked with the apartment number or letter. The bin stays with the residence even if the customer moves. 

9. What if I have excess recycling and need more than one recycling container at the curb?

Each resident is able to put out additional containers for their recyclables. Containers must be clearly labeled “recycling” for our employees. The old BPU yellow bins, new blue bins or cardboard boxes may be used for additional recycling. The bin with the RFID tag MUST be put at the curb with recycling items to receive the credit. Please do not bag or cover recyclables. 

10. What about commercial accounts?

This is a residential recycling program only. Any dwelling that is classified as a commercial building will continue to use the BPU yellow recycling bins. 

11. How are billing errors or disputes resolved?

Residents will need to contact Customer Service or the Garbage Hotline if they have questions regarding their bills. Possible errors will be addressed on a case by case basis. 

12. What mechanisms will be put in place to adjust bills if a customer bounces back and forth from an ‘active recycler’ to a ‘non-recycler’?

The current BPU billing system is linked to the recycling software. Once a container is scanned, the credit will be issued to the appropriate customer. If a container is not scanned, a credit will not be issued to that customer. 

13. How do non-City customers participate?

Non-City customers need to follow BPU policy as long as they are using our service. 

14. How is the matter resolved with a landlord who must pay a higher sanitation bill due to the unwillingness of his tenant(s) to meet our definition of recycling?

For residential accounts where the landlord pays for services, landlords are responsible for their tenants’ recycling. Each apartment receives its own recycling bin to use. The landlord may contact the BPU to determine which tenants are recycling and which are not. 

15. What is the contingency plan, if the technology isn’t available in a given day/week/month?

A manual log sheet is available to each driver if the technology is unavailable for any reason. A spare scanner unit also is available to BPU employees for use in the field. The scanners are a part of a cell network and can record any information up until the point when a scanner stops working. 

16. What do we do if we have questions about this service?

Customer Service representatives as well as the Garbage Hotline and BPU Communications are available on business days to answer any questions or complaints received from the public. 

17. How do I obtain my RFID recycling container and when will I receive it?

If the assigned bin is not found at your new residence, please contact the BPU Garbage Hotline to order a replacement bin. 

▼

Wastewater

Show All Answers

1. Where does the responsibility of the homeowner lie in regard to the sewer lateral?

The homeowner is responsible for the sewer line from the main line to the house. For more information please contact the Sewer Maintenance Office at 716-661-1652.

2. Is it illegal to connect any downspouts, groundwater sump pumps or overflows to the sanitary sewer?

Yes. Downspouts, groundwater sump pumps and overflows should all be connected to the storm sewer because this extraneous flow overloads the treatment plant with water that does not need to be treated. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) advises customers to call their private plumber to rectify their problem. 

For more information please contact the Sewer Maintenance Office at 716-661-1652.

3. We have had backups at our home previously. What can we do to prevent this situation from happening again?

We recommend that the property owner install a backwater valve. This will help to prevent further backups from the main line.

For more information please contact the Sewer Maintenance Office at 716-661-1652.

4. Why is my sewer bill higher than my water bill?

It is more costly to treat contaminated water and return it to the environment to meet all of the health requirements.

Well Water

Jamestown water customers are very fortunate to receive some of the finest and purest artesian well water in the country with only a minimum of added chlorine to disinfect and fluoride to prevent tooth decay. The costs to provide this water are relatively low because it does not require a great deal of treatment before its delivery to your home or business.

Wastewater

Wastewater, on the other hand, requires a great deal of treatment to condition it for return to its place in the hydrologic cycle. That treatment is very expensive and accounts for the higher expense to clean wastewater.

Contact Us

For more information please contact the Sewer Maintenance Office at 716-661-1652.

5. Will I be billed for sewer when I fill my swimming pool or can the fee be waived?

Yes, you will be billed for sewer on the water you use to fill your swimming pool. Your sewer bill is determined by the amount of water that you run through your water meter.

The Department of Environmental Conservation law states that pool water is considered contaminated water (gray water). Pool water contains chemicals that should be emptied directly into the sanitary sewer to be treated properly and not emptied into lawns or the storm sewer.

Usage Calculator

To see how much those charges will be, run your pool measurements through the usage calculator in the Water Division section of this web site.

Contact Us

For more information please contact the Sewer Maintenance Office at 716-661-1652.

6. Am I allowed to install my own sewer line?

On the homeowner's property, this is permissible, but must meet the plumbing code and be inspected. If the repair is on city property the work must be done by a licensed master plumber and a bonded contractor. It is recommended that a licensed plumber do any major repairs or installations.

7. Can I, as a homeowner, do plumbing in my own home?

Yes, provided that you are living in the home and the project should be inspected. For more information please contact the Sewer Maintenance Office at 716-661-1652.

8. Does the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) have records of the location of my sewer?

We do have records of sewer lateral connections in the City of Jamestown and the Village of Falconer. However, some connections were never recorded and no information is available.

For more information please contact the Sewer Maintenance Office at 716-661-1652.

9. What type of sewer lateral do I have at my home?

This information can most likely be determined by calling the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Sewer Maintainence office at 716-661-1652 However, some information from older homes was never recorded.

▼

Why We Flush Mains

Show All Answers

1. When will I see discolored water or will I only see discolored water on my scheduled flushing day?

The greatest likelihood that you will see discolored water is while the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is flushing in your immediate area on your scheduled flushing day. However, please be aware that you may see discolored water at any time during BPU water main flushing, because of the following reasons: 

• Flushing disrupts the entire water system and it is difficult to predict exactly when and where discolored water will occur.
• Flushing may occur in your general area over a multi-day period.

With this in mind, please be sure to check for discolored water before doing laundry while BPU daytime flushing is taking place. We suggest that you wait to do laundry on days other than your scheduled flushing day, because the discolored water can stain your clothes (especially white and light colored clothing).

If it is your scheduled flushing day, we also recommend that you be careful to check for discolored water before using hot water (e.g. to take a shower) during the hours that flushing is set to occur. It may be best to try to take showers or baths before or after (in the early morning or evening) flushing is set to take place on your scheduled flushing day.

2. Why should I be aware of my scheduled flushing day?

The primary precautions that should be taken during Board of Public Utilities (BPU) water main flushing are to:

• Check for discolored water before doing laundry.
• Try to avoid pulling discolored water into your hot water tank. 

If discolored water were to stain your clothes while doing laundry or be pulled into your hot water tank, please see Questions 5 and 6, respectively.

You may also want to check for discolored water before using water for cooking or drinking; we suggest that you store some water a day or so ahead of time so that you have some available for cooking and drinking during your scheduled flushing day. Though discolored water is displeasing to see, please remember that it is safe to drink and to use if needed.

3. How can I check for discolored water in my home?

To check for discolored water, turn on the cold-water spigot in either your bath tub or bathroom sink for a couple of minutes. It is easiest to see discolored water in a white tub or sink. If the water is clear after a couple of minutes, it should indicate that the water out in the water main is clear as well, and therefore, you should be able to resume using your water as usual at that time.

However, if the water is discolored after a couple of minutes, turn the water off and wait for an hour or so until you check again. Discolored water may occur for a period of anywhere up to 24 hours, but during flushing, it typically lasts for a few hours. If discolored water were pulled into your home, continue to check for discolored water (once an hour) until you notice clear water running from the spigot. At this point, you can flush out any additional discolored water that may be left in your household plumbing by running cold water from faucets as necessary until the water runs clear from each faucet. 

Additionally, before doing your next load of laundry (especially if you will be washing whites or light colors), you can run your washing machine through one cold wash cycle without clothes to flush out any discolored water that may be present in your washing machine or the line feeding your washing machine.

4. Is it safe to use and flush my toilet on my scheduled flushing day?

It is generally safe to use and flush your toilet during daytime flushing, even on your scheduled flushing day. If you flush your toilet and see discolored water, continue to use and flush your toilet throughout the day as needed. Once the water settles in the main (which may take some time), you will eventually draw clear water into your household plumbing again and the discolored water will clear from your toilet.

5. What if I did laundry and the discolored water stained my clothes?

Do not dry the clothes or they will become permanently stained when dried.

Commercial rust removers are available to you free-of-charge at the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Customer Service, the Jamestown City Hall Clerk’s Office or at Town and Village offices (Towns of Ellicott and Busti; Villages of Falconer, Celoron, Lakewood). You may also buy such products in stores.

When your water clears (refer to Question 3), re-wash your clothes using the rust remover - there are instructions on the packet or bottle.

6. What if I pulled discolored water into my hot water tank?

If you are using hot water and see that it is discolored, we recommend that you stop using the water at that time. Following the steps described under Question 3, continue to check for discolored water using a cold-water spigot until you see that the water has cleared. At this point, you have a couple of different options. 

First, if you use hot water and see that it is still discolored, you can wait until the sediment settles in your tank (wait for a couple of hours if possible) before you check the hot water again. The sediment in the discolored water will eventually settle to the bottom of the tank. Please note that if you continue to use the hot water even though it is discolored, it will only keep the sediment stirred in the tank rather than allowing it to settle. The sediment can be removed later on by flushing your hot water tank (it is recommended that a hot water tank be flushed annually). If you do not know how to properly flush your hot water tank, you can hire a professional to help you in this process. 

The second option is to flush your hot water tank the day that the discolored water is drawn into the tank. This would need to be completed only after you ensure that the water coming from a cold-water spigot in your home is clear; you would not want to re-fill your tank with discolored water if the water has not yet settled in the water main.

7. Is discolored water safe?

Yes, discolored water is safe to drink and to use, just displeasing to see.  The water is treated with chlorine which keeps the water safe and remains in the water even if discolored.

8. What if I do not want to drink or cook using discolored water, even if it is safe?

We recommend that you store some water a day or so ahead of time so that you have some available for drinking and cooking during your scheduled flushing time.

9. Why does the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) flush their water mains?

Water main flushing is a process that is performed nationally. Our water distribution system is older and has unlined cast iron pipes. Water flowing through the iron pipes leads to rust build-up in the pipes; this is in addition to the build-up of sediment and minerals that naturally occur in the water.

Therefore, the BPU performs hydrant flushing twice a year to clean out the rust and sediment from the pipes. This allows for greater water flow through the pipes and allows the flushing operators to perform valve and hydrant inspections for fire protection.

10. Why does the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) flush during the daytime?

The BPU flushes during the daytime primarily because of increased visibility and safety. Better visibility during the day allows operators to more effectively monitor the clarity of the water flowing from the hydrant and track the flow of the water in an effort to avoid property damage.

Also, operators can see and be seen better during the day which is safer for all of those involved.

11. My area was just flushed and I am experiencing low pressure or volume from my faucet, why?

Did you use water during your scheduled flushing time and was the water discolored? If so, the sediment in the discolored water may have clogged the screen (or aerator) in the faucet and it needs to be cleared.

If that is not the issue, then please contact Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Customer Service for assistance at (716)661-1660.