FAQs

The first thing you should do is talk to your local Assessor about the valuation on your parcel. Check the appraisal records to make sure all components of the property are correct. If you wish to proceed at this point, you must make an appointment with the March Board of Review to lodge an appeal. The Board of Review is set up under the Michigan General Property Tax Law. The three member board is appointed by the Township Supervisor and approved at a public meeting by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Review will hear your appeal and will make a decision using their best judgment.

The taxable value was created upon the passage of Proposal A, by the electorate in 1994. The taxable value is the lower of the State Equalized Value or the capped value. This is the value used times the millage rate that produces the amount of taxes levied against the property.  However, the year following a transfer of ownership, a property is uncapped and the taxable value becomes the same as the assessed value.  Following the uncapping, the property’s taxable value will follow the capped value formula.

Market value is a product of the price paid for the property. Since assessments must be set by market value, changing real estate values in the community will be reflected in the assessments. As prices increase/decrease, so does market value. All property values do not change to the same degree. Many factors influence values. Properties with water or scenic views, for example, may increase more rapidly than others.

Wetlands contribute to the national economy by producing resources and commodities along with other benefits.  Because of the diversity of wetland types and locations, measuring all the benefits would be difficult.  However, here are some reasons why wetlands are important:

• Wetlands are spawning and nursery ares, providing plant food for fish
• Wetlands improve our water quality, by removing toxic substances and sediment while filtering excess nutrients
• Wetlands help to control floods by storing water
• Wetlands provide recreational opportunities, such as hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography

A survey crew was sent to your vicinity for utility work or a neighbor needs to survey their own property.  The color of the ribbon depicts the utility.

• Blue - Water
• Brown - Sewer
• Green - Storm Drain
• Orange - Phone & TV
• Purple - Surveying
• Red - Electric
• Yellow - Oil & Gas

Utility and survey companies are not required to notify the township not the homeowner when they come out to your area. Thus, we here at the Township may not know the purpose or reason for the flags. You can call Miss Dig at 1-800-482-7171 to find out what is going on.

Your property must be zoned Agricultural (AG) or Suburban Farms (SF) and have a minimum of 2 acres. If you meet these requirements, than it's two horses for the first two acres and 1 horse per acre afterwords.

No, your sewer bill payment goes to Oakland County.  To pay your invoice online visit https://www.oakgov.com/water.

If available, sewer is defined as one within 200' of the subject structure, per ordinance 108 the house, building or structure must connect to the sewer line/system.
 

No. Our responsibility does not extend past the utility easement onto private property but we will assist you in determining if you have a leak in your line.
 

In the event that a grinder pump fails, an alarm on the control box sounds an audible alarm as well as a flashing light.  The audible alarm can be turned off by a switch on the box, but the light continues to flash.  The homeowner can then call the Water Resources Commission for repairs.
 

If there is a power failure, then water should be used sparingly.  There will be some storage in the pump tank (30-60 gallons) so some water can be used.  However, most water usage, such as a shower and washing clothes, should cease.  Residents that have well water are not as affected since without power, well pumps are also not operational.  Experience has found that power failures have not been a significant source of complaints by users.
 

Stormwater is generated by rainwater and snowmelt runoff from streets, parking lots, building rooftops, lawns, farms, construction sites, industrial sites and many other aspects of the landscape. This runoff picks up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil and grease, and many other pollutants on the way to our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Stormwater runoff is our most common cause of water pollution.
 

Sewer is charged quarterly in White Lake Township, for both gravity and pressure.  The Water Resources Commission handles all billing for the Township.  Please contact Water Resources Commission for current rates (248) 858-1110 or White Lake Township Water & Sewer Department (248) 698-7700 extension 8.The only extra cost for pressure sewer is for the electricity to operate the pump.
 

White Lake Township currently contracts with Contractor for the installation of all grinder pumps.  The Water Resources Commission maintains all the grinder pumps for White Lake Township once they are installed.
 

Yes it does. Our two largest producing water plants have iron filtration.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

Iron is 0.1 ppm - 2.0 ppm.
 

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.
 

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.
 

To improve water quality and check fire hydrant operations.