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1. Where do I find information about City of West Fargo construction projects?

The City of West Fargo posts information regarding City of West Fargo construction projects at www.westfargostreets.com.

Residents can also sign up for alerts regarding West Fargo streets and constructions by visiting http://westfargond.gov/list.aspx and creating an account.

2. Who do I contact if I have a question about a current city construction project?

Concerns with specific new building issues should be addressed to the Building department. 

Older infrastructure issues, like street lights being out, potholes, damaged street signs should be addressed to the Public Works department. These issues can be reported via phone (701-515-5400), email (publicworks@westfargond.gov).

For questions about current or planned construction projects, contact the Engineering Department.

Contact the Engineering Department.

3. I need to dig in my yard, do I need to call someone?

Yes! If you plan to dig more than a foot into the ground you must call North Dakota One Call first. North Dakota One Call was put in place to save lives by locating underground utilities. The service is free to homeowners and it takes about five minutes to answer the questions. To prepare for the call, please gather:

• Address where digging is going to take place
• Nearest intersection street
• Depth that you will be digging
• Date that the excavation will take place 
• Driving directions to your location. 

The number is 1-800-795-0555 or simply 8-1-1. 

submit requests online.

4. What does it mean when the sirens are activated in West Fargo?

Sirens are tested at a variety of times to ensure they are functioning properly:

• Noon Monday through Friday in West Fargo
• 1 p.m. first Wednesday of every month in the West Fargo, Fargo and Moorhead communities
• Sirens are also tested once each quarter. The date of the quarterly test is announced in The Forum and West Fargo Pioneer. 

If the sirens are activated in West Fargo, at other times than these, please check your local news and radio stations for emergency messages. The sirens are not used only for tornadoes, but also used to alert the public of other types of severe weather emergencies and other types of dangerous conditions that may occur.

5. Will the City of West Fargo locate property lines?

The City of West Fargo will not perform legal surveys to locate property lines. You can try to locate the property pins (rebar located below the ground) with a metal detector. Front pins are usually 2-feet behind the sidewalk, but can vary.

A legal boundary survey can be performed by a Registered Land Surveyor in the State of North Dakota to obtain locations.

6. What is the source of the odor in West Fargo in the spring?

The City of West Fargo utilizes a 460-acre network of waste stabilization ponds near 12^th Avenue N. to treat wastewater (water that has been used in the home, in a business, or as part of an industrial process) that comes from the sewer system. During the transition from winter to spring, the ponds can emit a strong, unpleasant odor as the normal, organic treatment process restarts.

• During the winter, ice forms along the top of the lagoons, eliminating the oxygen supply and stopping the normal aerobic treatment to breakdown waste.
• Because of this, a sludge of undigested biological matter forms on the bottom of the lagoon.
• When temperatures warm up, the sludge moves to the top of the lagoon where the ice has melted and a strong, unpleasant odor is released into the air.
• However, the warming temperatures also stimulate the growth of algae, which eats up the source of the smell and helps to restore the normal process.
• This may occur multiple times if the temperatures rise and fall during the spring warm up, but the final cycle usually last two weeks.
• The Department of Health monitors the smell from the ponds and the odor has never reached a level that causes alarm.

For information about the city’s plans to send wastewater to the City of Fargo for treatment and decommission the lagoons, visit http://westfargond.gov/757/Connection-to-City-of-Fargo-Wastewater-S. 

City of West Fargo Waste Stabilization Ponds Fact Sheet