Quick answer
For water damage in Rice, MN, shut off your main valve first, or turn off the well pump breaker if you are on a private well. For a city water or sewer question, call Rice City Hall at 320-393-2280. 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 205 E. Main St. and is open Monday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Friday. The Benton County septic permit line is on the Foley page.
- Shut off the water. Shut off the main valve where the line enters the house. For a city water or sewer question, call Rice City Hall at 320-393-2280.
- 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. The median Rice home dates to 2003, and about 16% were built in 2010 or later. In newer homes, check the water heater, fridge line, and sump pump first.
Rice City Hall is closed on Fridays. City water and sewer bills are due on the 25th of each month.
What to know about water damage in Rice
Little Rock Lake
The lake begins about 1.5 miles east of Rice and runs 3.25 miles south before narrowing to cross under Highway 10.
Source: LakesnWoods
Named for George T. Rice
The city is named for George T. Rice, who kept a stage hotel west of town before the railroad came.
Northern Pacific stop
Rice was first settled in 1877 on the Little Rock River and had a Northern Pacific Railroad station.
Source: LakesnWoods
Incorporated in 1890
Rice became an incorporated village in Benton County on July 18, 1890.
Source: Wikipedia
1886 tornado
Rice was hit by the Sauk Rapids tornado on April 14, 1886, along with Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud.
Source: Wikipedia
Homes in Rice
The median home dates to 2003, and about 21% were built before 1980. About 89% are owner-occupied, with a median value near $266,600.
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Cost and insurance in Rice
How much does water damage restoration cost in Rice?
Most jobs run $450 to $16,000 (Angi). Lake or river water that rises into the house is a flood loss, which needs a separate flood policy. Rice sits on sandy ground. After a sump pump failure, keep the pump running and check the discharge line before drying ends.
Water removal and restoration in Rice
The company that answers handles sump pump failures, finished basement leaks, water heater failures, frozen pipes, and septic backups, plus burst pipes, appliance leaks, drying, and septic backups.
Rice questions
Who do I call about Rice city water or sewer?
Rice City Hall and Public Works, at 320-393-2280.
Where is the Benton County septic permit line?
On the Foley page.
Who is Rice named for?
George T. Rice, a hotel keeper on the old stage road.
What lake is near Rice?
Little Rock Lake, which starts about 1.5 miles east of the city.
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: