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WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT
 Edwin Haapala, Director

CONTACT INFORMATION:

The department provides for an on-call, 24 hour around the clock maintenance employee and supervisor. In the event a water or sewer emergency has taken place at your residence or business, a water and sewer department employee and/or supervisor will respond to your location and assist in evaluating the problem. During regular business working hours, please call 248-451-4832 or 248-451-4780. For after-hours emergencies, please call 248-975-9200.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Under the administration of the Township Supervisor the Water and Sewer Department is comprised of a total of (21) employees, which includes (13) Field Maintenance, (3) Billing, (1) Office Manager, (2) Foremen, (1) Superintendent and (1) Director. The department maintains and operates over 333 miles of sanitary sewer mains, (23) sanitary sewer lift stations, 343 miles of water mains and (8) township entry point pressure reducing vaults for control of incoming Detroit water. The department operates on an annual budget of approximately $21 Million dollars, of which approximately 67% is paid to Detroit for wholesale water purchases and Oakland County for sewer services.

The department holds bi-monthly Water and Sewer Committee Meetings which are typically held in the evening, whereby the public is invited to come and participate or receive answers to questions, concerns or problems related to water and sewer utilities. The committee is comprised of (3) elected Board of Trustee officials and the Water and Sewer Director. Minutes of meetings are taken and recorded.
DEPARTMENT SERVICES
  • Repair and maintenance of water and sewer mains and related structures, such as lift stations and generators, fire hydrants, gate wells, sanitary sewer manholes and water shut off valves.
  • Replacement of leaking, noisy or stopped water meters.
  • Field marking for underground water and sewer utility locations within the road right-of-way or utility easement. Mark-outs are not provided on private property.
  • Management of all subdivision irrigation sprinkling meters, whereby the meters are removed in the fall and installed in the spring by township water personnel.
  • Investigation of possible water service line leaks and sanitary sewer back ups.
  • Answer customer inquiries regarding their water and sewer bill.
  • Administration of programs required by State and Federal agencies, such as sump pump and roof drain inspections, sanitary sewer televising and cleaning, water distribution system gate valve exercising and MDEQ cross connection control inspections. The department does not perform cleaning of sanitary sewer service lines on private property.
WATER AND SEWER RATES
  • Water Rates:
    2005-2006 = $29.44/Mcf
    2006-2007 = $30.02/Mcf (1.97% increase)
  • Sewer Rates:
    2005 - 2006 = $20.75/Mcf
    2006 - 2007 = $22.75/Mcf (9.64% increase)
  • Sewer Only Rates:
    2005 - 2006 = $80.92/Qtr
    2006 - 2007 = $88.72/Qtr (9.64% increase)
Effective with July 01, 2007 billings:
  •     Water rate of $30.41/mcf
  •     Sewer rate of $22.75/mcf
  •     Sewer only flat rate of $88.72 per REU
Water& Sewer rates starting on July 1, 2008:
  • Water Rate 6.28% increase - from $30.41 MCF to $32.32MCF
  • Sewer Rate 1.32% increase - from $22.75 MCF to $23.05 MCF
  • Sewer only Rate 1.32% increase - from $88.72 per/quarter to $89.89 per quarter
SIGNIFICANT POLICIES
  • Outdoor water usage is governed by street number. Addresses ending in odd numbers water on odd numbered days of month, even numbers on even dates. No watering allowed between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. or 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on any day.
  • Homes with septic systems must provide the Engineering office with inspection report stating that it is functioning properly within 60 days of sale of property.
  • Delinquent water and sewer bills are subject to water turn off if over $500 or more than sixty days unpaid; a $75.00 turn off/turn on fee will be charged. Payments are only accepted at Treasurer's office during regular business hours.
  • Payment for water and sewer bills must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the due date to avoid penalty.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Where is it legal to discharge my sump pump? Anywhere outside your home as long as the first place it hits the ground is at least 20 feet from the road to avoid icing in the winter. Underground connections into the County storm drain (below the curb) require a permit from the County.

2. Is the Township responsible for repairing water and sewer lines between the road and my house? 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.

3. Can I use plastic for my water service line? We require copper.

4. Who do I call if I have a blocked storm drain or need my road plowed in winter? Oakland County Citizen's Service Bureau for Roads and Drains, 248.858.4804.

5. What is the difference between a sanitary sewer and a storm drain? Sanitary sewers remove waste products from your home and send them underground to a treatment plant. Storm drains gather rain and storm runoff and direct them to wetlands and lakes. Ditches and curb line grates are storm drains. Sanitary manholes have solid round covers. The two systems are not connected.

The Township maintains the sanitary sewers and the County maintains the storm drains in the road right of ways. Storm drains located elsewhere are usually the responsibility of property owners.

6. What causes my water to be cloudy or milky looking? Air in the lines. It can occur when valves are turned on or off to work on water mains. Extreme amounts of air can cause vibration or banging noises in your pipes. Sometimes this air can be eliminated by running a faucet on the top floor of your home. If not, please call the water department.

7. Why is my water brown or dirty looking? When we turn water off to make a repair it can stir up the mineral content that settled to the bottom of the main. You do not need to boil your water. Run the cold water only until it clears up. 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.

8. Can I pay my water and sewer bill online, by credit card or automatic deduction? Yes. Call the office for details.

WATER REPORTS
2007 Water Quality Report
2006 Water Quality Report
2005 Water Quality Report
2004 Water Quality Report
2003 Water Quality Report
2002 Water Quality Report