Frequently Asked Questions

To report a water leak or water emergency you can call 850-248-5010 during regular office hours or you can call 850-248-5048 after regular office hours.

We are located at:
3410 Transmitter Road
Panama City FL 32404

Our office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Under a precautionary boil water notice, any one of the following methods can disinfect water used for consumption.

• Bring the water to a rolling boil and holding it there for one minute.
• Use a disinfecting chemical. If water cannot be boiled, put eight drops of common household bleach –which is 1/8 teaspoon of common household bleach into one (1) gallon of tap water, shake it, and allow it to stand for thirty (30) minutes before drinking.  If the water is cloudy, use 16 drops or about 1/4 teaspoon of bleach, shake it, and let it stand for 30 minutes. There should be a slight chlorine odor. Use common household bleach that has 5% to 6% active ingredients. Use food grade containers. Do not use bleach that has perfume scents added.
• Using water purification tablets or iodine that many sports and camping stores sell.

Consumption includes brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables and homemade ice. Tap water may be used for showers, baths, shaving and washing, so long as care is taken not to swallow or allow water in eyes, nose, or mouth. Children and disabled individuals should have their bath supervised to ensure water is not ingested. The time spent bathing should be minimized. Though the risk of illness is minimal, individuals who have recent surgical wounds, are immunosuppressed, or have a chronic illness may want to consider using bottled or boiled water for cleansing until the notice is lifted.

“Precautionary Boil Water Notice” will remain in effect until work is completed and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.

For more information, please contact Bay County Utility Services at (850) 248-5010. 

Visit our Common Leak Causes page to get this information.

To find out which service area you are in, view our Service Area Map (PDF).

Review our Checking for Leaks page for information on this.

Review our payment options page to determine whether you want to pay in person, via drop box, online, over the phone, or through the mail.

To set up a new water and/or sewer account you may complete the application online Bay County Portal or come in to the Bay County Utility Services Administration Building at:
3410 Transmitter Road
Panama City, FL 32404

You will need to complete an application, provide a picture ID, a copy of the lease or proof of sale for the home, and pay a deposit. The deposit includes a water deposit of $60, a sewer deposit of $110, and a $40 non-refundable service charge which will total $210. If you have an irrigation meter there is an extra $60 deposit which will make your deposit $270, set up all together. If you choose to set up your irrigation account at a later date, you will have a deposit of $60 plus the $40 non-refundable service charge that will total $100 for the irrigation account. Deposits are retained on your utility account until you terminate service. At the time of termination, deposits will be applied to your final bill and any outstanding fees. You will be billed for the remaining balance or refunded the difference.

To set up a commercial/business water and sewer account, you must come into the Bay County Utility Services Administration Building. You will need to complete an application, provide a picture ID and pay a deposit. Commercial/Business deposit amount increase based off of meter size. The minimum deposit for water is $150, sewer $150, and a $40 non-refundable service charge which will total $340.

Water service can only be started same day as long as we have received a completed application, lease or proof of ownership, photo ID, deposit and before 4:00pm Monday-Thursday excluding Friday and holidays. If the request is after 4:00pm (M-Th), Friday, weekends or holidays it will be processed the next business day. 

Termination of water service can only be terminated by the account holder and will be completed same day as long as it is received before 1:00pm Monday-Thursday excluding Friday and holidays. If the request is after 1:00pm (M-Th), Friday, weekends or holidays it will be processed the next business day.

The due date for all residential water / sewer bills is the 20th of every month.  Accounts for which payments are not received by the due date will receive a 10% late penalty. Non-payment accounts will be subject to disconnect on or after the 5th of the following month.. Accounts disconnected for non-payment will require payment of the outstanding balance plus a service fee ($40.00)  in order to restore service. Deposits will not be used to cover the past due balance. Accounts will be reconnected same day if payment is received by 4:30pm on the day of disconnect. Payments made after the date of disconnect prior to 1:00pm will be reconnected same day. All others will be reconnected the following business day. 

The most common locations for the master water supply valve in a home or apartment are:

• Near the Clothes Washer Hook-Up
• Near the Water Heater
• Where the Water Supply Pipe Enters the Home

Once you've located the master valve, mark it with something distinctive bright paint, a flag or ribbon. This will save valuable time should you ever experience interior flooding or other crises requiring quick water shut-off.