Water Department

The Water Department operates and maintains 158 miles of water lines, three Water Treatment Plants that produces 2.3 million gallons of safe potable water per day and a distribution system that serves more than 7300 electronic and manual meter customers daily along with maintenance over 2000 fire hydrants.

Services Provided

  • Collecting samples to ensure water quality.
  • Maintenance and operation of City well sites.
  • Maintenance of water lines.
  • Fire hydrant repair, replacement, and preventive maintenance
  • Perform repairs related to main line breaks and service line leaks
  • Investigation of low water pressure
  • Installing of new meters.
  • Replacement of malfunctioning or damaged meters
  • Locating city water and sewer lines for MS811

 

Water Quality

In compliance with federal and State requirements, we prepare and submit a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to our customers and state officials on a yearly basis. You can find that current report by clicking the hyperlink above.

 

Conservation Tips

 

OUTDOOR TIPS:

  • As much as 80% of domestic water usage occurs outside the Home on lawns and gardens.
  • Adjust your irrigation timer monthly – lawns require different amounts of water in winter than in spring. Thus, irrigating with the same amount of water results in an incredible waste of water.
  • The most efficient time for watering is early morning or late evenings when temps are cooler and winds lighter.
  • Desert Landscaping is another way to reduce watering. Replace lawns and water consuming plants with attractive native and drought tolerant plants. Desert landscaping is a great way to enhance the beauty of the gardens while conserving water and protecting the environment.
  • Avoid installing ornamental water features unless the water is recycled.
  • Don’t water the pavement. Set sprinklers so that water lands on lawn and gardens, not on pavement, and stop sprinklers when puddles or runoff occur and allow the water to soak into the soil before resuming watering.
  • Use a broom or blower to clean sidewalk/driveways, not gallons and gallons of water.
  • Wash your car on the lawn. Don’t allow the water to run continuously. Turn on and off to soak down and rinse off. Water will be absorbed by the lawn. Use a commercial car wash that recycles.
  • Cover your swimming pool, this helps to reduce evaporation. A pool cover can reduce water loss by 90%.

INDOOR TIPS:

  • Studies have shown homes can waste more than 10% due to leaks.
  • Check your indoor water-using appliances and devices for leaks. The largest water user inside the home is the toilet.
  • Check your toilet for leaks. A leak inside the toilet can waste up to 300 gallons of water per hour. Check by adding a few drops of food coloring into the tank. If there is a leak, color will show in the bowl in about 30 minutes. Check for worn out, corroded, or bent parts. Replacement kits are relatively inexpensive and easily installed.
  • Faucet leaks are usually visible; however, there are some unnoticeable leaks in areas like the on/off handle or in the pipes below the basin.
  • Drips of 60 drops per minute = 192 gallons per month; 90 drops per minute = 310 gallons per month; a 3” stream = 1095 gallons per month. This increases your monthly water and sewer bill.
  • Install low flow aerators and showerheads.
  • Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves.
  • Don’t let the water run while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing hands/face. This can save more than 100 gallons a week.
  • Running your washing machine or dishwasher only when full could save you hundreds of gallons a month.
  • Check your water meter and bill to track your usage.
  • Use a timer to keep showers to a 5-minute limit; this can save 1000 gallons a month.
  • Avoid running water to thaw food. Place food in refrigerator overnight or defrost in the microwave.
  • If washing dishes by hand, don’t let water run continuously for rinsing. If you have 2 sinks, fill one with rinse water. If you have only one sink, first gather all your washed dishes in a dish rack, and then rinse them quickly. Also, using the least amount of detergent necessary minimizes the rinse water needed.
  • Use a bowl of water to clean and prepare vegetables rather than letting the faucet run.
  • Use your garbage disposal less often and compost instead.
  • Check all hose connections for leaks.
  • Clean up with a waterless hand cleaner. Not using a steady stream of water will save 7-19 gallons each time.
  • Fixing leaky faucets and plumbing joints can save up to 20 gallons a day per leak. It is easy to do and can represent a substantial savings in plumbing and water bills.
  • If you are considering the purchase of any new appliances that use water, check the water requirements of the various models and brands. You’ll find that some use less water than others.
  • Be sure your hot water heater thermostat isn’t set too high. Extremely hot settings wastewater and energy when the water has to be cooled with cold water before you can use it.
Just remember, every drop counts, and every person can make a difference