We do not offer seasonal sites.

Click here for map, pictures and rates.

How do we contact Community Ed?

Community Ed is located at 230 LaBree Ave. S. in the

School District Service Center. Telephone number is 218-681-8740.

Does the City offer swimming lessons?

No, Community Ed offers lessons at Franklin Middle School pool.

How much per hour does it cost to rent ice at the arenas?

Arena Fees Schedule

How do we reserve a park shelter?

Contact the Park Department Office at 681-2519. The cost is $10/day.

Where can I get information on the ice schedules? How about the baseball schedules?

You may call our Scheduling line at 681-3545 or visit http://www.reatrf.com/schedule.htm.

The baseball schedules are on both http://www.reatrf.com, and on this site here.

Water

Who owns the service line to the house? What does the City own and what does the property owner own?

The property owner owns and is responsible for the maintenance of the water service line from and including the connection to the curb stop to the building. The City owns and is responsible for maintenance from the water main to and including the curb stop except for the property owner's connection to the curb stop. The curb stop is the valve installed in the service line to control the water in the service line. The curb stop is located near the street curb.

Who owns the water meter?

The City owns the water meter. The property is charged a fee for the meter when service is started to a property. The City maintains the meter. If the meter is damaged, such as freezing, the property owner is charged for the parts to repair and labor. If the meter needs replacement after the usefully life of the meter the City replaces the meter at no charge.

What causes high water use? (Residential and commercial)

High water usage is usually a valve left on or a toilet stool valve leaking. If the water flow is recorded by the meter, the customer is charged for the water. A stool valve leaking is the most common cause for high water usage.

Why does the water taste sometimes?

The City of Thief River Falls processes water from the Red Lake River. During periods of high flow, more organic material is in the water. This material causes taste to the water. The 1993 remodel of the water treatment plant included a 250,000 gallon pre-sedimentation basin. The water has chemicals added to treat taste and odor as the water flows into the basin. This basin operation has allowed for the removal of taste and odor that was not possible in the 1951 plant process. A sudden change in water quality may cause a taste, however most changes in water quality are measured by the operators and chemicals adjusted to remove the taste from the water.

Wastewater

What part of the service lateral from the main to the house does the home owner own?

The property owner owns and is responsible for the maintenance of the sewer service line from the sewer main to the house. This includes the connection to the sewer main.

Who is responsible for cleaning the service lateral?

The property owner is responsible for cleaning the sewer service line from the sewer main to the building. The City is responsible for cleaning the sewer main. If a water backup occurs, call the City and the sewer main will be checked to determine if the main is plugged. The City will do the required maintenance if the sewer main is plugged. During normal work hours call 681-4425. After normal working hours, on holidays and weekends call the Law Enforcement Center, 681-6161, to report a sewer backup. The City staff will be notified and come out to check the main.

What can be done with tree roots found in the service line?

Local hardware stores have a chemical for removing tree roots. This will kill the roots that are in the service line.

What can be done with the smell in the spring?

The odor from the wastewater ponds is the result of the lack of oxygen for the wastewater treatment process due to the ice covering the ponds during the winter months. The wastewater treatment process changes during the winter. After the ice is off the ponds, several days are required for the wastewater treatment process return to the normal treatment of the wastewater. This requires sun, warm weather and wind to increase the treatment bacteria to a population that will treat the wastewater. Once the process is back to normal the odor is greatly reduced.

Where can sump pumps be connected?

Sump pumps are to pump water into the yard or storm water system. Contact the Public Works Department, 681-8506, for information on the storm water system. During the period from November 1^st to the following March 31^st, the sump pumps may discharge into the sanitary sewer if the there is a problem with ice forming where the sump pump discharges onto the yard. Contact the Wastewater Department, 681-4425, to discuss the connection and permit required to discharge into the sanitary sewer system.

Electric

Rebates - what rebates are available? Is there any funding available for energy-saving projects?

Both are available.  The programs change annually, so it is best to check before making a purchase.

Details

What size service is on my house?

If you need to know the size of service to the meter of your home or building call the Electric Department at 681-5816 and staff will discuss this with you. If necessary, staff will visit your location and verify the size of electric service from the transformer to the meter. The size of service panel in the home has to be determined by the owner or an electrician. Most homes have 200-amp electric service to the meter. Some have a 100-amp service.

Who pays for the service line to my house?

The utility installs the cable from the alley transformer to the residence at no cost to the owner. The utility supplies the meter socket and meter. The utility works with the electrician to coordinate connection of power to the meter.

Why is my electric bill so high?

Here's a pretty good explanation.

Who pays if I have an electrical problem after hours?

After normal working hours the customer is billed for the call out of staff, if the problem is found to be on the customers wiring. The City staff will repair only utility system problems.

When will the streetlights get repaired?

Street light repair is scheduled with other utility work. During the summer when construction requires personnel to be working on the electric distribution system, street lighting maintenance is reduced. Some of the street lighting problems that occur in the winter is the result of broken underground wires that can not be repaired until the ground thaws in the spring. Streetlights with this problem will have yellow tape around the street light pole to indicate an underground cable problem. The streetlights are controlled by the load management system. There are situations when two or more blocks in a row will not operate. This is usually caused by a control that is not functioning. All the streetlights have a number on the pole. To report a street light problem, call 681-5816 and report the problem and the street light pole number.

Sanitation

When does the Sanitation Department pick up branches and yard waste?

We vacuum boulevard leaf piles and yard waste for approximately 2 - 3 weeks each spring and fall.  Small branches are picked up from May to October providing they are bundled and are less than 5 feet long.  Services and Recycling Information

What ward am I in for leaf pickup?

Your ward for leaf pickup is the same ward you vote in.  Click here for a ward map or use this ward locator from the State.

Why wasn't my garbage picked up?

The Sanitation Department picks up household waste from residential customers on Monday and Thursday on the west and north side of the river, and Tuesday and Friday in the balance of the City. (see map)  Waste needs to be bagged and tied in TRF marked bags purchased at the Utilities Billing Office.  Services and Recycling Information.

Streets

Can the Street Department apply salt/sand to my commercial parking lot?  What about the church parking lot?

City crews cannot provide public services on private property.  There are local contractors listed in the yellow pages who provide fee based services for sanding, clearing, sealing, and striping private lots and driveways.

When will you spray for mosquitoes and how do we know when you will be spraying?

General

Will City staff locate my property lines for me?

City staff are not certified to survey boundary lines.  Staff can give you the names and telephone numbers of area licensed land surveyors.  If you provide us with a copy of the legal description of your property, we can give you information that may assist you in locating your approximate boundaries through your own measuring.

Whatever happened to the money raised for a community swimming pool?