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Regional Landfill

Show All Answers

1. Where is the Watertown Regional Landfill?

3 miles south and 1 mile east of the intersection of highways #212 and #81.

2. When is the Watertown Regional Landfill open?

8:00 AM until 4:00 PM, Monday through Saturday, except on observed holidays. The gate closes promptly at 4:00 pm.

3. What forms of payment are accepted at the Landfill?

The Landfill accepts cash, checks, VISA, and Mastercard. Charge accounts are available and are set up through the City’s finance office. Charge accounts are not set up at the Landfill.

4. What time will my garbage (or grass) container be emptied?

There is no set time schedule for the pick up of your 95 gallon container. The collection trucks begin their routes at 5:00 AM and run until the completion of the route. Please roll your 95 gallon container to the curb the night before your collection day or prior to 5:00 AM on your day of collection. The time your container(s) are emptied is determined by the number of containers residents set out each day.

5. What factors affect the time my waste container collected?

There is no set time schedule for the pick up of your waste containers. The collection trucks route may be affected by the weather conditions, mechanical problems, periodic maintenance, a different driver assigned to the route, as well as the number of containers set out for collection each day.

6. Why did the garbage truck stop and dump my recycling (or yard waste) container, but did not empty my blue garbage container?

The City of Watertown has blue, green, and tan collection trucks. Generally, the blue trucks empty the blue garbage containers, the green trucks empty the green yard waste containers, and the tan truck empties the tan recycling containers. Occasionally there is a blue truck collecting blue garbage containers, and another blue truck collection either yard waste or recycling containers.

7. Why was my garbage (or grass) container not dumped?

There are instances when a container is not collected because there is a vehicle parked too close to the container. Please leave a minimum of four feet to each side of your container to ensure the truck’s collection arm can reach the container. Also, the arm cannot reach containers placed too far away from the curb.

8. Why wasn’t the garbage bag or box placed on the ground beside my blue container picked up?

The automated side loading collection trucks have an arm on the truck, it extends from the side of the truck, grips and empties the container. All waste must be placed in automated containers provided by the city, the driver does not get out of the truck to pick up loose bags or boxes.

9. The wheel fell off my container. What should I do?

Call the Watertown Regional Landfill at 882-6219 or complete the Report A Broken Container Form. We have the parts and personnel available to replace the wheels on city issued garbage, recycling, and yard waste containers.

10. My blue container is full. May I put garbage in my green or tan container for collection?

No. Garbage contaminates yard waste or recycle loads. The collection trucks only pick up the type of container associated to the assigned route. The garbage truck will only pick up blue containers, the yard waste truck will only pick up green containers, and the recycling truck will only pick up tan containers. The drivers view the contents of the container by camera when the container is emptied, and will immediate stop emptying any containers with the wrong material.

11. My family produces more garbage than my blue container can hold. What are my options?

By paying the garbage collection fee on your monthly Municipal Utilities bill, the City of Watertown is authorized to collect your garbage once per week on your collection day.

You can:
1. Hold the excess garbage for the next week’s collection.
2. Authorize a second garbage charge on your account to receive a second garbage container. The City of Watertown will deliver the additional blue garbage container to your address.
3. Order a tan recycling container. Many residents have commented that they have a lot more space in their blue garbage container when the participate in recycling.
4. Haul your extra trash to the landfill (covered and secure) and pay the appropriate fee to dump it.

12. Can I get an additional blue garbage can?

Yes. A Watertown resident can get an additional blue garbage can for an additional monthly charge of $9.50 plus tax for each one. We encourage residents to first try adding the tan recycling container available at no additional charge before incurring the additional expense of additional blue garbage containers. If you need an additional container complete the container request form.

13. How do I get a green yard waste container and how much do they cost?

The yard waste containers cost $55.12 each tax included. There are four ways to purchase a container:
-Complete the container request form and then call the landfill at 605-882-6219 and give them your credit card information.
-Go to City Hall and pay for it there.
-Come to the Landfill, pay us and take it with you.
-Call the Landfill and give them your credit card information.

If the landfill is delivering the container, delivery normally occurs within a week from the time payment is received.

14. Can I have a yard waste container purchase billed on my Municipal Utility bill?

Sorry, no. To purchase a yard waste container you can: Stop by City Hall and pay, the container be delivered in about a week; Stop by the landfill and pay, take the container with you; Complete the container request form and then call the landfill and give them your credit card information; or call the landfill to make the request and pay over the phone. The container will be delivered in about a week.

The landfill's number is 605-882-6219.

15. What charges are associated with the yard waste container?

You purchase a yard waste container for $55.12 each. There are no additional charges on your utility bill for yard waste collection no matter how many you purchase.

The yard waste containers cost $55.12 each tax included. There are four ways to purchase a container:
-Complete the container request form and then call the landfill at 605-882-6219 and give them your credit card information.
-Go to City Hall and pay for it there.
-Come to the Landfill, pay us and take it with you.
-Call the Landfill and give them your credit card information.

If the landfill is delivering the container, delivery normally occurs within a week from the time payment is received.

16. I no longer need my yard waste container. How do I get rid of it?

You have purchased the container so it is your personal property. You can resell it, give it away, leave it behind, or take it with you. The choice is yours. The City does not re-purchase the yard waste containers.

17. How do I get compost and how much can I get?

Each Watertown resident within city limits, with a Municipal Utility bill is entitled to 2 free tons of compost each year. Bring your Utility bill to the Landfill and the compost will be loaded into your vehicle or trailer or you can load it yourself. After receiving your 2 free tons or if you are not a Watertown resident more compost is available for $20/ton.

18. When will the 4th Avenue Yard Waste Site be open?

The Yard Waste Drop Off Site is open five days per week during parts of October and November for leaf and tree branch collection. Depending on weather, it may also be open for a couple of weeks during the Spring. Dates are announced in advance in the local news media.

19. Can I pick up wood chips at the Landfill?

Sorry, the wood chips are reserved for internal use at the Landfill. They are not available to the public.

20. Do you take tires at the Landfill?

Sorry, the Landfill does not accept tires. Take tires to any tire dealer for disposal. The dealer will charge you a fee.

21. When is the Household Hazardous Waste event?

The Household Hazardous Waste event usually takes place the last Saturday of April. It is held at the Wastewater treatment facility just south of Sears.