FAQs
Water
Not at this time, though we are hoping sometime in the near future.
DO NOT attempt to open a fire hydrant. It is a crime to use a fire hydrant without a permit. Special tools and equipment are necessary to properly distribute water. A deposit of $500 for non-customers plus a hydrant permit is mandatory. The water usage rate is $150 for the first 1,100 cubic feet and $2.15 for each 100 cubic feet. The charge is per season and not to exceed 60 days.
Yes it does. Our two largest producing water plants have iron filtration.
$50 service fee will apply in order to re-coup costs for personnel to be called in to perform service.
Call the Water Department at 248-698-7700. We will calculate your final water bill. You may pick it up Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. or we can email or fax it.
It is a preference. However, most of White Lake Township's water users have water softeners. Also, some water customers have alternative water treatment systems.
Yes, it is the same water. However, the orange or black water that you see during hydrant flushing is mineral sediment that is being scoured from the metal pipe walls or from the bottom of the pipe with high flow. Removing this buildup twice a year improves water quality. We recommend notifying the water department and running all your sink fixtures to clean out your service lead if you experience problems in your home due to hydrant flushing.
Yes, the fluoride level is 0.13 - 0.37 (ppm) parts per million but it is only the fluoride that is naturally occurring. No additional fluoride is added to the water.
Customers are strongly encouraged to give the Water Department 24 to 48 hour notice prior to having their water turned on/off, so that the service can be arranged during regular work hours. Otherwise a fee of $50 may apply.
A water softener with a capacity of 35,000 grains.
Air in the lines can cause cloudy or milky lines. It can occur when valves are turned on/off to work on water mains. Extreme amounts of air can cause vibration or banging noises in your pipes. Sometimes the air can be eliminated by running a faucet on the top floor of your home. If the problem persist, please contact the Water Department.
Average hardness is 18 grains or 119-380 ppm.
Iron is 0.1 ppm - 2.0 ppm.
Effective April 1, 2004 the Insurance Service Office, Inc. (ISO) rating changed from 8 to 6.
1. To ensure that everyone is billed fairly for the water actually used.
2. To ensure that the cost of producing water is recovered.
3. To help identify areas in the system, houses or businesses that may have a leak.
There is no charge to have your water turned on or off when the customer is having maintenance conducted on their plumbing and the water department is given 24 to 48 hours notice, so the water can be turned off/on during regular working hours.
If leaving for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to have your water turned off at the meter. If there is a water line break or major leak, this can be avoided when there is no one to monitor the facilities by having the water turned off. We have found this is a good way to avoid risk. In addition, if there was to be a leak, the water department is bound to charge the customer because the water was actually used and to defer to cost upon other customers is not reasonable. Therefore, having the water shut off prior to an extended period away from the residence provides the customer with less risk.
The White Lake Township Water Department is responsible for the maintenance of the water meter only. The valves on both sides of the meter that turn the water on and off are the responsibility of the customer to be sure they are in good working order. If the water meter develops a leak, the water department will come out and repair or replace the meter at no charge to the customer.
If a leak should develop, turn the valve off located before the meter and call the water department at 248-698-7700.
To improve water quality and check fire hydrant operations.
When we turn water off to make a repair, it can stir up the mineral content that has settled to the bottom of the water main. You do NOT need to boil your water. Run the cold water until it clears. Using hot water before you have cleared the cold water will draw the dirty water into your hot water heater. We will announce via radio, television and newspaper in the unfortunate event that you ever need to boil your water.
