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Sanitation Department
The sanitary sewer fee is a flat rate per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) and is currently $40.75 per month. Class I users, or residential users are assessed at one ERU per unit, and Class II users, or non-residential users, are billed at the number of ERU’s set by a town official based on an examination of the user’s facilities to determine the estimated average monthly flow into the sewage works.
If you are a residential customer, a fee of $19.48 per month for trash and recycling service is also billed to you. This fee was effective on January 1, 2023.
Your utility bill is due on the 1st day of each month. A payment coupon book is provided each year in November for the following year.
To pay your utility bill online with a credit or debit card, please click the button below. Note: A 3.0% convenience fee applies and a minimum convenience fee of $1.00 applies to transactions that are $33.00 or less. You must enter the following information when making a payment online: your name, account number and service address. You may also pay in person with your card, or over the phone by calling our office at 219-787-1165 during business hours.
Payments may also be made by mail, or in person. We are located within the Town Hall building, and there is a also a secure drop box outside of the building near the flagpole for your convenience.
We also accept the following forms of payment:
• Personal or cashier's check
• Money order
• Cash
For questions regarding transaction fees, please visit paygov.us or call 1-866-480-8552.
Please call the utility clerk at 219-787-1165 to activate sanitary sewer and trash service. To activate water service, please contact Indiana American Water Company, and to activate electricity and gas service, please contact NIPSCO.
• Money order
• Cash
For questions regarding transaction fees, please visit paygov.us or call 1-866-480-8552.
Please call the utility clerk at 219-787-1165 to activate sanitary sewer and trash service. To activate water service, please contact Indiana American Water Company, and to activate electricity and gas service, please contact NIPSCO.
Sanitary Sewer Treatment Plant & Collection System
The sanitary sewer treatment plant, owned by the Town of Burns Harbor, is located at Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. on U.S. Highway 12. This facility is operated and maintained by Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. and services users within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Burns Harbor.
The collection system was integrated in 2001 and includes 6 lift stations.
The Sanitary Board oversees the system and department, and meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Town Hall.
Sanitation Forms
- Authorization to Bill Renter Form - PDF Fill-in
- Authorization to bill Renter Form - Printable PDF
- Sanitary Board Appeal Form - PDF Fill-in
- Sanitary Board Appeal Form - Printable PDF
- Sanitary Sewer Connection Permit Form - PDF Fill-In
- Sanitary Sewer Connection Permit Form - Printable PDF
- Water Shut Off Hearing Request - PDF Fill-in
- Water Shut off Hearing Request Form - Printable PDF
Click here for more FAQ's.
Q. Can I pay my sewer bill after hours?
A. Yes. There is a secure drop box located in front of the town hall, near the flagpole, for your convenience. You can also pay online anytime with a credit or debit card. Click here for details.
Q. When is my sewer bill due?
A. The first day of each month.
Q. What type of payment is accepted?
A. Cash, personal or cashier's check, money order, and credit or debit card. A convenience fee of 3.0% applies to all credit or debit card payments, minimum fee of $1.00.
Q. Will I get a bill in the mail each month, or bi-monthly?
A. No. You will receive a coupon book in the mail each November with a payment coupon for each month in the following calendar year. You should send in your payment each month, by the first day of the month, and include the corresponding month’s coupon from your book.
Q. Will my sewer bill vary month by month based upon my water usage?
A. No. The bill is calculated using ERU’s (Equivalent Residential Units) and the current rate per ERU is $40.75. Class I Users, or residential users, are assessed at 1 ERU per unit. This includes single family residences, apartments, condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, and mobile home courts (spaces available for rent). Class II Users, or non-residential users, are billed at the number of ERU’s set by a town official based on an examination of the user’s facilities and determining the estimated average monthly flow into the sewage works.
Q. What day is trash pick-up?
A. Thursdays
Q. When is recycling picked up?
A. It is picked up every two weeks. Click here for the schedule.
Q. How do I dispose of a large item, such as a couch or a mattress?
A. You may place the large item out with your garbage on your collection day. You may only dispose of one large item per week, so if you need to arrange for more to be picked up, or something as large as a king-size mattress, please call Republic Services at (219) 921-1294.