Holland BPW takes great care to keep our utilities reliable. Part of that work comes from our ability to maintain and upgrade the equipment that may be in front of, behind, or in your yard. The equipment in the right-of-way near the street or in easements on your property requires upkeep just like all the other parts of our electric, water, wastewater and fiber optic systems.
We want to make it easy to understand what we as a utility provider have access to and your responsibilities as a homeowner. With that in mind, please let us know if you have any questions about your responsibilities and ours. We respect our customers’ privacy and do our best to protect your landscaping wherever possible.
Why is BPW in My Yard?
Hidden in plain sight overhead and underground, you will find the utilities that connect you to broader systems. Having utilities requires a physical connection, whether it's an electric line, a water main, a sewer main, or a fiber optic cable. Each home has individual service lines that provide essential utilities directly to that building. Holland BPW's job is to ensure that you have reliable access to these essential services. Sometimes that means we will be in your yard or in the right-of-way to property to complete a job.
Some of the pieces of infrastructure that might be in your yard that BPW has access to include:
- Utility poles
- Electric pedestals or transformers
- Fiber optic cables
- Electric lines
- Sewer mains
- Water mains
- Fire hydrants
Sometimes it is also necessary for our crews to perform quality tests of our water supply in the community.
What You Can Do
Landscaping & Hardscaping
We want to keep your landscaping and yard looking as good as it does when we arrive. Please be mindful of where you plant, landscape, and design anything in a space occupied by utility infrastructure. Always call MISSDIG before doing anything that involves digging or building. It is critical to be aware of underground utilities when installing permanent landscaping, especially hardscapes like patios or structures. Permanent structures such as fences, sheds or concrete can not be built in an easement or right-of-way. Be aware of underground utilities before building. Structures that cover essential infrastructure would be repaired or replaced at your own cost if Holland BPW needs to access the infrastructure beneath.
Likewise, keep utility poles on your property free from vegetation. Please allow for a five-foot clearance area around the pole. Doing so protects our linecrew and allows them to perform their work safely without having to remove or alter your landscaping. Any vegetation covering a pole will be removed. Landscaping around a pole that obstructs our crews' ability to work may be removed or disturbed depending on our work. Replacement of removed landscaping is the customer's responsibility.
Pets
We love our customers' pets and often enjoy meeting them in the community. However, pets can interfere with our ability to work. Please keep any pets indoors whenever our crews are in your backyard. Similarly, if we need access to your home (such as for water/wastewater service calls or fiber internet), please secure pets in an area away from where crews will work. Doing so preserves our workers’ peace of mind and ability to do their job safely and quickly.
An electric meter covered in ice is a hazard.
Winter Considerations
If you have a fire hydrant on your property, please keep it clear of snow and ice in the winter as much as possible. Doing so allows the fire department quicker access in the event of a winter emergency in your neighborhood.
Some homes, especially in the City of Holland, have steep roofs that can cause ice buildup around gutter areas. This can cause problems if the water drips over the electric meter. Ice can build up on the meter socket and damage it. While meters are Holland BPW’s responsibility, the meter sockets are the responsibility of the homeowner. If you notice that your electric meter has ice on it in the winter, set a slanted board over the meter and meter socket to protect it from ice damage. Do not attempt to remove ice from your meter as this could damage it.
Verifying the Work
Holland BPW sometimes contracts with other companies to complete new construction, road work or large projects such as water main or water service line replacements. We will communicate with you ahead of time before work begins that requires outside contractors.
The safety of our customers and our field crews is our priority. Holland BPW employees or contractors will never come to your door asking for payment. Holland BPW employees drive marked vehicles, wear BPW branded clothing, and carry an employee ID. If you are unsure of the validity of work happening near your home, please contact us at 616-355-1500.
We appreciate your support in keeping our essential services reliable and affordable for all!
