SID #5 owns and operates the water and wastewater system serving Buccaneer Bay residents. Day-to-day operations, maintenance, and billing are managed by PeopleService, a state licensed and certified operator approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Contacting PeopleService

YOU MUST SAY YOU LIVE IN BUCCANEER BAY, NOT PLATTSMOUTH WHEN CALLING PEOPLE SERVICE!!!


• 24/7 Emergency Number: (888) 861-1921
• Billing Questions, Start-Stop Service (M-F, 7:00AM to 4:00PM): (402) 932-8143 Option 2
• Pay Your Utility Bill: https://uvpayment-peoples.avr-cloud.com/#/sign-in

Water System

The SID #5 water system has been approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and is periodically inspected and tested every month to ensure that it provides safe drinking water to the residents of SID 5 and to ensure compliance with the latest health and safety standards.

Recommended “Whole House” Water Treatment

SID #5 draws water directly from the groundwater aquifer. The water is not chlorinated or fluoridated, and meets all EPA and State standards for safe drinking water. Like most Nebraska groundwater, it contains moderate levels of iron and high levels of manganese, and is generally considered “hard.”

Residents vary in their sensitivity to iron, manganese, and hard water, and the level of filtration and treatment that feels right for one household may differ from another. Residents are encouraged to research available water treatment options — such as whole house filters, reverse osmosis filters, water softeners, and iron/manganese filters — and select a solution that best fits their household’s needs and preferences.

Wastewater System

SID #5 owns and operates the wastewater treatment system. The system is responsible for treating all wastewater generated by residents. The Wastewater Plant is located on the eastern edge of the district next to Fourmile Creek.  The water treated by the system is discharged into Fourmile Creek.

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Lift Stations

Lift stations are located in various locations throughout the District. A lift station is responsible for “lifting” sewage from a lower to higher elevation so it will flow to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Bad, messy things can happen if a lift station is not working properly. Sewage could possibly backup into a house, especially if the backflow preventer on the residents line is non-existent or inoperative. As of 2023 all lift stations are monitored electronically for proper operation and issues alerts to the Districts operator in the event of a failure. However, each lift station has a warning light that will flash if a failure is detected. Residents are asked to call People Service at (888)-861-1921 to report the issue.

Lift Station Locations

  • End of Ridgeway Rd
  • End of Sterling Ct
  • Intersection of Becker and Ewel Ct
  • End of Rainey Cir
  • Treasure Island Rd next to rail road tracks
Sterling Court Lift Station

Water Rates/Billing

The water rates in Buccaneer Bay are determined by the SID Board and undergo periodic evaluations to ensure they cover the operational costs of the water and wastewater system. You can find the current rates listed here. These rates, paid by residents, encompass expenses such as the operator’s contract, scheduled maintenance, unscheduled maintenance, and infrastructure improvements.

Over the past few years, the District has seen an uptick in water and wastewater rates due to significantly heightened costs across all operational aspects. Notably, there has been a notable increase in unscheduled maintenance expenses. Historically, financial challenges led to the postponement of certain maintenance tasks in an attempt to cut costs, resulting in a backlog of issues that are now being addressed at a higher expense. The Board anticipates that as these long-neglected issues are resolved and with the implementation of a structured maintenance plan, unscheduled maintenance costs will become more manageable.

If you have any inquiries regarding the water rates, please reach out to a member of the Utilities Committee here.

Troubleshooting Higher than Usual Water Bills

Have you considered the possibility of a leak? A spike in your water bill could often be attributed to a leak somewhere within your residence. Begin by inspecting for running toilets and dripping faucets. A quick method to ascertain if there’s a leak is to follow these steps:

  1. Turn off all water.
  2. Take a photo of your water meter reading.
  3. After several hours, recheck your meter and assess any usage.

Another potential culprit for elevated water bills is an improperly programmed sprinkler controller. Sprinklers are notorious for their water usage, and misconfigured controllers can significantly inflate your water expenses. Some common issues we’ve encountered include:

  • Overwatering due to new sod: When moving into a new house with recently installed sod, the sprinkler system may be set to water excessively to aid the sod’s root establishment. However, residents often forget to adjust the watering schedule once the sod is established.
  • Extra watering cycles: Residents may unintentionally program extra watering cycles, such as watering on weekdays while they are away at work, leading to unnecessary water consumption.

Consider upgrading to a smart sprinkler controller if you haven’t already. These controllers connect to local weather sources and automatically adjust watering times based on factors like temperature, wind, and rainfall. They can be conveniently controlled via smartphone or web interface and often lead to significant water savings. Explore options for “smart sprinkler controllers” to find suitable models. In many cases, the savings they provide can offset the initial investment in less than one season.

If you are still having issues you can call PeopleService and request assistance tracking down the issue.

Water Meters and Transmitters

Per the Water System and Sanitary System Rules and Regulations, residents are required to have a functioning water meter and transmitter/MXU installed to facilitate the reading of water usage. The meters and/or transmitters can fail and will need to be replaced at the homeowners expense. The meter and transmitter must be purchased from the District and installed by a license plumber. The meter and transmitter are sold to the resident at cost.