Quick answer
For water damage in Clarissa, MN, shut off your main valve first, or turn off the well pump breaker if you are on a private well. For city water, sewer, or gas, call Clarissa City Hall at 218-756-2125. Then call a water damage restoration company; drying should start within 24 to 48 hours. Minnesota law gives insurers 10 business days to acknowledge a claim.
Do this first
Local water and sewer lines.
City Hall is at 202 Main St. W. and is open Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m.
- Shut off the water. Shut off the main valve where the line enters the house. Clarissa asks for notice ahead of time when you need the city to shut off or turn on water, so call City Hall at 218-756-2125.
- Make it safe and document it. Cut power to wet rooms from a dry spot, photograph the damage, then report the claim.
- Start drying within 24 to 48 hours. About 59% of Clarissa homes were built before 1960, and the median home dates to 1954. Older supply lines and basement plumbing deserve a look first.
The City of Clarissa runs its own water, sewer, and natural gas service, all billed monthly. Questions about any of them go to the city clerk.
What to know about water damage in Clarissa
1906
The year Clarissa began municipal improvements, including a sewer system and a new water supply.
Source: Resilient Region
Named for Clarissa Bischoffsheim
Clarissa was platted in 1877 and named for Clarissa Bischoffsheim, wife of the London landowner. The post office opened in 1880.
Source: Wikipedia
Railroad in 1883
The Great Northern reached Clarissa in 1883. Until then, supplies were hauled in from Sauk Centre.
Source: Resilient Region
Clay and creamery
Agent George Howe found clay beds in 1880 that were used for bricks. A $5,000 cooperative creamery followed in 1890.
Source: Resilient Region
Homes in Clarissa
The median home dates to 1954, and about 6% are mobile homes. About 78% are owner-occupied, with a median value near $102,600.
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Cost and insurance in Clarissa
How much does water damage restoration cost in Clarissa?
Most jobs run $450 to $16,000 (Angi). Eagle Creek or snowmelt water that enters the house from outside is a flood loss, which needs a separate flood policy. Many Clarissa homes date to the 1950s or earlier. After a frozen pipe leak, check the joists and sill plate in the basement as well as the wall.
Water removal and restoration in Clarissa
The company that answers handles frozen pipes, older supply line failures, basement leaks, mobile home plumbing leaks, and water heater failures, plus burst pipes, appliance leaks, drying, and septic backups.
Clarissa questions
Who handles water, sewer, and gas in Clarissa?
The City of Clarissa. Call City Hall at 218-756-2125.
Who issues septic permits in Todd County?
Todd County Planning and Zoning, at 320-732-4420.
When is Clarissa City Hall open?
Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m.
How did Clarissa get its name?
From Clarissa Bischoffsheim, wife of the London landowner, when the town was platted in 1877.
Related guides
Other Minnesota towns- Burst pipe, not frozen
- Water mitigation vs. restoration
- Burst pipe repair cost
- Minnesota insurance claim rules, in plain English
- Frozen and burst pipes: what to do
- Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
- How long water damage takes to dry
Local phone numbers checked November 2026: