July 16, 2026
IMPORTANT PUBLIC NOTICE
Power Outages & Essential Water/Sewer Conservation
TO ALL DISTRICT CUSTOMERS:
Our water and sewer systems rely heavily on electricity to run the pump stations that deliver clean water to your tap and safely move wastewater away from your home.
During Avista power outages (including Public Safety Power Shutoffs or unplanned blackouts), our pump stations and well facility will lose power. To prevent water pressure loss and sewer backups, we need all residents to immediately limit water and sewer usage during a power outage.
What to STOP Doing Immediately During an Outage:
- Outdoor Water Use: No lawn watering, garden irrigation, car washing, or filling pools.
- Heavy Appliances: Do not run washing machines or dishwashers.
- Excessive Indoor Water Use: Avoid taking long showers or filling bathtubs.
- Frequent Flushing: Flush toilets only when absolutely necessary.
Only Use Water for Essential Needs:
- Drinking, basic hygiene/handwashing, food preparation, and medical needs.
Why This Matters to Your Home
- Water Supply: Our storage tanks hold a finite amount of water. If everyone continues normal usage (like watering lawns) during an outage, the tank will drain, potentially causing a complete loss of water pressure and a boil water advisory.
- Sewer Pump Stations: Our system relies on electricity to transport sewage through a complex network of pump stations to the treatment plant. Without power, these stations—many of which handle inflow from hundreds of homes—can quickly become overwhelmed. Minimizing what you send down your drains (sinks, showers, toilets) helps to prevent the system from being overwhelmed, reducing the risk of sewage overflow and costly pumping services.
How to Stay Prepared:
We highly recommend keeping a backup supply of drinking water (at least one gallon per person/pet per day) on hand. You can monitor active local power outages directly via the Avista Outage Map.
Thank you for your cooperation and for being such a supportive community. We truly believe we have the best customers at Southside!
Questions or Emergencies?
- District Office: 208-255-1041
- Emergency After-Hours Line: 208-683-6103 – Emergencies only please!
- Website/Updates: southsidewaterandsewer.org
June 08, 2026
Southside Water and Sewer has partnered with Nexbillpay to offer secure paperless billing and notifications.
Switching over is quick and easy, but it does require a one-time account setup. Before you get started, just make sure you have your utility account number handy.
How to Get Started:
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Locate your bill: Find your current utility account number. Give us a call if you don't have your bill handy.
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Sign up: Visit our new payment portal via Nexbillpay https://new.nexbillpay.net/southsidewsdid/BillPay/SignIn.
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Go green: Follow the on-screen prompts to register your account and opt into paperless notifications and paperless billing.
We are here to help make this transition as smooth as possible. If you run into any snags or have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team! 208-255-1041
