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Utilities - Water Department
Water/Sewer Billing Office, 333 W.
Ellsworth St., Midland, MI 48640 Phone: 989-837-3341
Water Treatment Plant, 2607 Bay City Rd., Midland, MI
48642 Phone: 989-837-3515
Email: water@midland-mi.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Health
Water System Problems
Payment Options
History
Answers
What if I have special
health needs?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than
the general population. Immuno-compromised persons, such as persons with cancer
undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people
with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infants can be
particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers. Environmental Protection
Agency/Centers for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the
risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are
available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or by e-mailing
sdwa@epa.gov.
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What
is the hardness level of Midland's water?
Midland’s drinking water is moderately soft with an average hardness of 104
(ppm as CaCO3). This level of hardness is approximately six grains per gallon.
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What is the pH of Midland's water?
The average pH of water in Midland is 8.2.
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Is it safe to drink water that contains chlorine?
Yes. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) have established that it is safe to
drink water with chlorine at a level established to protect the water as it
moves through the water mains and out the tap.
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How much fluoride is in
Midland's drinking water?
Approximately 1 ppm of fluoride is contained in Midland’s water.
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What are the white particles
coming from my tap?
The white particles are most likely either calcium carbonate deposits
(scale) or the result of a deteriorating hot water heater plastic “dip tube”.
Contact the Midland Water Treatment Plant at 989-837-3341 for more information.
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Do I need to drink bottled
water?
It is unnecessary for our customers to go to the extra expense of buying
bottled water in order to have safe drinking water. Bottled water costs more
than $1 a gallon, and water from a Midland tap costs less than a tenth of a cent
per gallon. In addition, the public health standards for water from municipal
water supplies are higher than those for bottled water.
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Concerned about your
sodium intake?
Water from the Midland Water Treatment Plant has an average of 5 milligrams
of sodium per liter. Midland's water is very low in sodium. Individuals who use water
softeners actually add sodium in the process to remove hard-water minerals.
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What
causes discolored water?
Discolored water is often the result of rusting galvanized pipe in home
plumbing systems. Normally, the water clears after running a bit. Sometimes,
water mains may become scoured from firefighting activities or a main break.
Iron causes the discoloration; it is not a health risk.
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Do I need to use a "treatment" device in
my home or business?
The water we deliver to our customers is safe to drink as determined by EPA
and MDEQ standards. In-home “treatment” systems may cost several hundred dollars
plus the cost of frequent filter changes. The extra expense is unnecessary as a
matter of safety. If our customers wish to install filtration equipment, it is a
matter of personal preference.
We encourage those who choose to use on-site equipment to change the filter
as often as the manufacturer recommends, because the filters are an excellent
breeding ground for bacteria. People with specific health concerns may wish to
seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
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How much water does the
average person use at home per day?
Estimates vary, but each person uses about 80-100 gallons of water per day.
The largest use of household water is to flush the toilet. Taking showers and
baths also accounts for a large percentage of household use of City water.
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Does a little leak in my
house really waste water?
It’s not the little leak that wastes water – it is the little leak that
keeps on leaking that wastes water. And, the fact that the leak is so little
means that maybe it is being ignored.
How can a little leak turn into a big waste? Many toilets have a
constant leak – somewhere around 22 gallons per day. This translates into about
8,000 gallons per year of wasted water – water that could be saved. Or think of
a leaky water line coming into your house. If it leaks 1 gallon of water every
10 minutes, that means that you are losing (and paying for) 144 gallons per day,
or 52,560 gallons per year.
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How do I check for and identify leaks?
Areas that might be using water continually because of a leak are as
follows:
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toilets
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drippy faucets
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clothes washers
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dishwashers
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some humidifiers
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some disposals
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water evaporator-type air
conditioners
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lawn sprinkling systems
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hoses left on and connected to the sill cock
To test toilets for leaks first, remove tank-mounted cleaners and flush
until all coloring is gone from inside the tank and bowl or basin of the toilet.
Then add 40 to 50 drops of food coloring (blue, red or green) to a glass of warm
water, and then carefully pour it into the tank, stirring it to mix the food
coloring throughout the tank. Check the toilet bowl periodically over the next
two hours. Food coloring in the bowl indicates a leak.
Another way to check for water leaks is to read the water meter in your home
and write down the numbers, including the number to which the needle is
pointing. After two hours of not using any water in the house, read the
water meter again and compare the numbers to the original reading from the beginning of the test. If the needle has moved or any of the
readings have changed, that means that water has passed through the meter even
though no water faucets were turned on or toilets flushed, etc., during that
time. In this case, a change in the needle's position on the meter indicates a
leak or open valve
somewhere in the home.
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The water is not flowing properly to my
home. Who should I call at the Water Department to get help?
Contact Water Distribution at 989-837-6950 with any questions about the
water flow to your home.
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Who do I call to report
a water main break or other potential water system-related emergency?
The City of Midland Water Treatment Plant responds to emergencies related to the
City's water system (such as water main breaks) 24 hours a day. If you have a
water system emergency, please call the Water Plant at 989-837-3515.
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Why is there a black ring inside my toilet bowl?
There is no relation between the water being delivered to your household and the black ring that occasionally appears in your toilet bowl. This is actually mildew that forms due to room temperature, facility usage and lighting.
It is suggested that you use a chlorine-based bowl cleaner plus more ventilation during showers to help reduce this problem.
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Can I pay my water/sewer bill over the Internet?
Yes. Use the City's
Online Water/Sewer Bill Payment website to pay using
select credit or
debit cards, or electronic checks.
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What other options are available for paying my water/sewer bill?
City water customers can pay by mail or in person at the Water Billing Office, located on the first floor of Midland City Hall, 333 W. Ellsworth St., Midland, MI 48640.
Another payment option is through the Auto-Pay - Automatic Funds Withdrawal Program.
This is a free electronic funds transfer program that provides a secure, reliable way to pay your water/sewer bill from the checking or savings account of your choosing. To
enroll in the
Auto-Pay program, click here.
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Where does our
water come from?
Midland has received its source water supply from Lake Huron since 1948. To
find out more about where
the City's water supply comes from, click here.
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What is the Saginaw-Midland
Municipal Water Supply Corporation?
The
Saginaw-Midland Municipal Water Supply Corporation is a cooperative venture
between the cities of Saginaw and Midland that brings Lake Huron water to both
communities via 65 miles of underground infrastructure. Click on the above link
to view the path that the water travels from Lake Huron to the two cities.
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