Water Utilities Administration
Greg Morgan, Director of Utilities and Public Works
PO Box 2039, Tyler, TX 75710
Phone: (903) 531-1238
Fax: (903) 531-1259

Water Utilities Administration provides executive oversight and administrative support to all departments within the Utility so that the Utility functions as a single, cohesive operation in order to better serve our customers. It provides personnel administration and development, records management, and project planning, funding and management for all major water and sewer capital improvements. Water Utilities Administration also acts as a liason with other City departments, as well as Federal, State and local organizations and regulatory agencies on all water and sewer issues.

About 1890, the City of Tyler water supply was a small pond near the courthouse. Seeing a growing need for more water, City fathers decided to take water from a larger grist mill pond about four miles from downtown on Indian Creek. The City purchased land near this pond and in 1894 an earthen dam was constructed to form Lake Bellwood, the City's new source of surface water. Over the years, the dam was raised and the spillway has been renovated twice. The surface area of the lake now covers 170 acres. This dam, built by a special process in 1894, is listed in the National Registry as a historic structure. The City stopped using the lake as its primary water supply when Lake Tyler was completed and the Golden Road Treatment facility was placed in service in 1950. Lake Tyler East was added via a channel to Lake Tyler in 1967. The treatment facility at Lake Bellwood was abandoned in 1965 and, since then, only Kelly-Springfield and some golf courses use raw, untreated water from Lake Bellwood. The adjoining 185 acres of marginal land surrounding Lake Bellwood is used primarily for limited recreational purposes.

As mentioned above, Lake Tyler was completed in 1949 and placed in service in 1950. This lake covers about 2,400 surface acres. Lake Tyler and its sister Lake Tyler East, completed several years later, continue to serve as the primary source of water for the City. Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East also serve as a major recreational area for East Texas even though they are under tight sanitary controls. The City maintains six park areas around the two lakes. Lake Tyler is on Prairie Creek, a tributary of Mud Creek and lies in the Angelina River watershed. It has a storage capacity of 14 billion gallons (43,000 acre-feet) of water at spillway elevation and has an average depth of 18.2 feet. Its watershed area is 42 square miles (27,000 acres).

Lake Tyler East was connected to Lake Tyler via a channel, which in effect formed one lake from the standpoint of water supply. This lake covers about 2,500 acres, a watershed of 65 square miles, and an average depth of 16.2 feet. This depth makes the total storage capacity slightly less than Lake Tyler. The two lakes have a combined safe yield of about 30 million gallons daily.

Lake Palestine actually became a part of Tyler's water supply in 1965 when the city entered into a contract with the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority for the purchase of 67,200 acre-feet of water annually. This equates to an available yield for Tyler of about 60 million gallons daily. The payments for this abundant water supply total $12 million. Tyler Water Utilities is currently developing this source of water with design and engineering, environmental efforts, right-of-way acquisitions, etc. underway. The first water from this source should be available in 2003.

Tyler also maintains twelve deep-water wells to provide additional capabilities of 11 million gallons daily to the water needs of the City. These wells produce from the Carrizo ­Wilcox sand group at depths of 600 to 1,100 feet.

The Lake Tyler Pumping Station is a recently completed modern structure that encompasses the latest technology and design. It is located on the north bank of Gilley Creek in Lake Tyler extending from the shore in about 25 feet of water.

Golden Road Water Treatment Plant was originally constructed in 1950 and has been expanded and renovated to a capacity of 32 million gallons daily. Peak treatment demand of 40 million gallons can be achieved. The plant is a modern rapid sand filter facility that uses sedimentation, flocculation, filtration, and disinfection under the strict guidelines of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. Average current daily flow is almost 21 million gallons.

Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant is located on New Harmony Road (CR 46) about seven miles west of the City. The facility, placed into service in 1968, has a design capacity of 13 million gallons daily. This is a trickling-filter/activated sludge type plant utilizing mechanical aeration to achieve advanced secondary treatment levels. It serves approximately 60% of the City and most of the industrial wastewater. It recently has been renovated and upgraded to provide advanced secondary treatment to meet new federal and state regulations. Treated effluent from the plant, averaging about 7 million gallons, is discharged into Blackfork Creek, a tributary to the Neches River.

Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant is located on West Cumberland Road three miles south of Loop 323, off of Highway 69. It was constructed in 1955 as a three million-gallon facility and expanded in 1980 to the current 9 million gallons daily capacity. It, like Westside Plant, was again modified in 1993 to improve secondary treatment to meet federal and state mandates regarding the quality of effluent discharged. This treatment plant serves the other 40% of the City's sewage treatment needs and discharges effluent into West Mud Creek, which is a tributary of the Angelina River. Average daily effluent flow is five million gallons.

The Lake Bellwood (Kelly-Springfield) Raw Water Pumping Station is located near the dam. It was constructed in 1962 and enlarged in 1972. It provides untreated process and fire protection water for the Kelly-Springfield plant. It is equipped with three pumps and has a capacity of 2.9 million gallons daily, if needed.

There are water booster stations located at four well sites throughout the distribution system and at the Jan Avenue and Cameron Avenue intersection near Green Acres center. The well-site boosters take suction from ground-storage tanks and pump into the distribution system through high-service pumps. The Jan Avenue station takes from the distribution system and discharges into a closed-pressure system to provide pressure for domestic use and fire protection in an area where static pressure was not adequate.

Sewage Lift Stations are located in seven areas of the sewage-collection system where normal gravity flow is not possible. The stations range in size from 30,000 gallons daily to 4 million gallons daily capabilities.

More current water and sewer facts:

Looking back about 1983, the average daily water consumption was about 13.4 million gallons with a maximum use on August 2, 1983 of 25.9 million gallons. In 1999, average daily water consumption has been 20.9 million gallons with a maximum use on August 21, 1999 of 38.7 million gallons.

Also, in 1983 there were 515 miles of water mains and 434 miles of sewer mains in the systems. In 1999, there are 590 miles of water mains ranging in size from two to thirty-six inches in diameter. There are 519 miles of sewer mains ranging in size from six to fifty-four inches in diameter.

Currently, treated-water production capability is up to 40 million gallons a day with rated capacity of 32 million gallons daily. When Lake Palestine water is available, treated-water production capabilities will increase another 30 million gallons daily for a total capability of 70 million gallons daily. In reserve, Tyler still has the rights to another 30 million gallons daily that can be developed by increasing the size of the new treatment facility. Tyler can, indeed, become a regional water supplier well into the next century.

There are six elevated water storage tanks with a capacity of 8.47 million gallons and ground storage tanks contain another 5 1/2 million gallons.

In 1985, TWU implemented the Water-Meter Change out Program to remove the old, unreliable, spindle-type meters from the system and replace with modern, reliable water meters. This program has improved revenue by providing accurate measurement of water used by customers.

In 1987, TWU developed and implemented a Ground Water Conservation Plan, completed the Lake Palestine Diversion Study, and implemented requirements of the 1987 revisions to the Safe Drinking Water Act and monitoring thereof.

In 1988, TWU made major improvements to Hill Creek Park and Lake Tyler for citizens enjoyment. These included lighting, picnic facilities, internal roadway, pipe railing, parking, and landscaping.

In 1988, the major Blackfork Creek Interceptor Sewer construction project was completed and placed in service.

In 1989, TWU upgraded the City's Industrial Pretreatment Program to meet and exceed Federal and State mandates.

In 1991, located and purchased the site for the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant and completed the new two million gallon Copeland Road Overhead Water Storage Tank to serve the growing south Tyler area.

In 1992, TWU acquired special equipment and implemented the Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Abatement Program which significantly reduced infiltration of storm water into the sanitary sewer system.

In 1993, TWU developed a Storm Water Management Plan for the entire City to develop drainage plans.

In 1993, major water and sewer rate studies were handled in house and rate increases were approved. Increases required to cover the ever-increasing costs of federal and state mandated improvements to the water and sewer systems.

In 1995, TWU made major improvements to six of Tylers deep-water wells plus design and construction started to bring two new deep wells into the system to serve the airport area and the southern area of the City.

In 1996, TWU started design and engineering efforts for a new Lake Tyler Raw Water Pumping Station. This new modern station is now in service.

Since 1996 and through current time, several major water and sewer projects have been completed or are underway to improve the availability of water during drought times as we experienced in 1998 and the fall of 1999.

In 1999, TWU began water service to the large annexed area known as the Shackleford Creek Annexation, 902 new customers spread out over approximately 4,000 acres in south Tyler. The water system portion, serving that area, owned and operated by Southern Utilities was purchased and then tied in to Tyler's system. A sanitary sewer system is now in the design and engineering stages to start providing sanitary sewer services to that annexed area as soon as possible. That process is expected to be completed in 2005.

In Sept 2002, The Water Business Office began a new automated procedure for the processing and applying of payments to customers' accounts, using the Creditron Remittance Machine.

General Statistics
Number of Water Customers as of Feb 2003	29,318
Number of Sanitary Sewer Customers as of Feb 2003	27,181
Average Daily Consumption (Feb 2003)	1,325,293	Gallons
Highest Daily Water Consumption July 4,1994	35,335,800	Gallons
Golden Road Water Treatment Plant Daily Capability (1950)	36,000,000	Gallons
Deep Water Wells (12)	4,300,000	Gallons
Treated Water Daily Production Capabilities	40,300,000	Gallons
Water Storage Capacity - Elevated Tanks	8,500,000
Water Storage Capacity - Ground Storage Tanks	5,500,000
Miles of Water Mains	582	Miles
Miles of Sewer Mains	508	Miles
Number of Fire Hydrants in City	2,403
Number of Cut-Off Valves in City	6,712

Surface Water Supply
Lake Tyler (1949)	2,400 Surface Acres or
	15 Billion Gallons
Lake Tyler East (1967)	2,500 Surface Acres or
	over 15 Billion Gallons
Lake Bellwood (circa 1894)	170 Surface Acres
Lake Palestine (for future water requirements can divert up to 120 million gallons daily)	67,500 Acre Feet Available
Pump Stations - 9
Raw Water Pump Station Lake Tyler	32.000	MGD
High Service Pump Station Golden Road Water Plant	38.000	MGD
Booster Station #2	0.691	MGD
Booster Station #10	1.300	MGD
Booster Station #11	1.200	MGD
Booster Station #12	1.100	MGD
Jan Street Booster Station	0.700	MGD

Water Business Office
Joan Roberson, Manager
PO Box 336, Tyler, TX 75710
Phone: (903) 531-1230
Fax: (903) 531-1259

The Water Business Office handles billing and collection activities for over 34,000 water meters in service and over 26,600 solid waste customers. Customer services include over 10,000 connects, disconnects and transfers of service locations annually, as well as emergency services as required throughout the customer base. The department reads water meters 366,000 times annually, and assists other departments with emergency situations as necessary.

Paying your bill is quick, simple, and convenient!

• Pay Online - The City of Tyler Water Utilities Department has a convenient way to pay your bill with a credit card via the City of Tyler web page. Simply go to the Online Services screen on the main page and follow the quick and easy directions. Click on this link to pay your bill online.
• Bank Draft - We can set your account to automatically draft from your checking or savings account. To begin this free service you must complete a Draft Authorization Form, available in our office or by clicking on the "Online Forms" tab, above. In addition, we need a voided check from the account you want to be drafted. Once all the information is received, your water bill will be set to draft from your bank account at the next billing. You will receive a bill just as you do now and the "Due Date" for your bill will be the date marked Draft Date on your bill. This is the date the monies will be drafted from your account.
• Pay in Person - The Tyler Water Utilities Business Office is open for your convenience Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to pay your bill in person. We are located at 511 W. Locust Street in downtown Tyler. The Business Office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. We also have a drive thru available Monday thru Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. located on the west side of the building.
• Pay By Phone - Payments can be made by phone, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling 903-531-1230.
• Pay by Mail - Payments can be returned to the Business Office in the blue envelope that is enclosed with your monthly statement. Payments can be made by mail in the form of checks or money orders. Please do not send cash.
• Drop Boxes - We provide two drop boxes for a reliable, convenient way to pay. The main drop box is located in front of the Tyler Water Utiltities building located at 511 W. Locust Street, while the second drop box is located in the Rice Road Brookshire's grocery store parking lot near the mailboxes. Payments can be made in the form of checks or money orders. Please do not leave cash. Both boxes are emptied at 8:00 a.m. Monday thru Friday. Payments left after 8:00 a.m. will be posted the next business day.
• Payment Sites - As of January 2008, various merchants throughout the City of Tyler will accept your water bill payment. Below is a list of merchants that will accept your payment:
  

  D & N GROCERY	1007 W BOW
  EZ CONVENIENCE MART	351 S GLENWOOD BLVD
  FOOD FAST #103	4201 UNIVERSITY BLVD
  FOOD FAST #53	4725 TROUP HWY
  FOOD FAST #54	6424 S BROADWAY
  FOOD FAST #55	5502 OLD BULLARD RD
  FOOD FAST #56	1707 E FRONT
  FOOD FAST #57	11812 HWY 64 W
  FOOD FAST #58	8604 HWY 64 E
  FOOD FAST #62	13168 HWY 64 E
  FOOD FAST #65	805 W HOUSTON
  FOOD FAST #68	5120 OLD JACKSONVILLE HWY
  FOOD FAST #70	1222 WSW LOOP 323
  KURESHE'S MART	1118 W GENTRY PKWY
  LYNCH'S FOOD STORE	3400 E 5TH ST
  MAD/CO CHECK CASHING SERV	21973 HWY 155 S
  METRO MART #4	3801 CHANDLER HWY
  PITT STOP #1	900 W FRONT ST
  PITT STOP #2	1204 W GENTRY PKWY
  POLO'S GROCERY & LAUNDRY	621 E OAKWOOD
  QUIX #64	334 S BECKHAM AVE
  R TIGER EXPRESS	21126 INTERSTATE 20 W
  SHOP AND SAVE	12805 HWY 64 EAST
  STOP N SHOP FOOD MART	19360 US 69 SOUTH, FLINT
  SUPER FOOD MART #60	2431 ESE LOOP 323
  THE PAYMENT PLACE	1803 W GENTRY PKWY
  TRUCK EXPRESS	3319 NNE LOOP 323
  WILLCO TRAVEL STOP #2	12898 HWY 155 N
  WOODY WEAVER PHARMACY	2722 W GENTRY PKWY
  Y’S HOMETOWN FOODS	14451 STATE HWY 31 E

If you do not currently have active service with Tyler Water Utilities, we do require that you come into the office at 511 W. Locust Street to sign a Customer Service Request Card in order to establish service in your name.

To get new service you will need to provide the following:

• Picture ID (Driver's License)
• Social Security Card
• Proof of the address (Lease or Contract)
• $50 connect fee (cash, check or money order)

If you currently have active service you may call 903-531-1230 to connect additional service. To add an additional service, your account must be current. We can generally provide next business day service as long as you come in by 5 p.m. the previous business day to connect service. It is necessary for someone to be at that location for the water to be turned on.

If you currently have active service you may call 903-531-1230 to transfer or disconnect the existing service. To transfer service, your account must be current.

We can generally provide next business day service as long as you call or come in by 5 p.m. the previous business day to transfer service.

Water and Sewer Rates 10/1/2010

Water and Sewer Rates 10/1/2009

Water and Sewer Rates 10/1/2008

Water and Sewer Rates 10/1/2006

Water and Sewer Rates 10/1/2005

CONNECT FEE * (New Service, Transfer Service, Additional Service.)	$50.00
ADDITIONAL DAY TIME TRIP FEE (per trip to same location)	$25.00
RETURN CHECK/DRAFT FEE	$35.00
DELINQUENT FEE	$50.00
RECHECK FEE ** (for a second trip to same location in a 12 month period)	$25.00
METER TEST FEE - must be present for test (If meter test is accurate.)	$50.00
AFTER HOUR FEE (each trip)	$50.00
METER SET FEE (Meter Removal, Meter Locked, Meter Reinstalled)	$100.00
JUMPER REMOVAL FEE	$100.00
PLUG SERVICE FEE	$100.00
PLUG SERVICE MAIN	$250.00

Fees are subject to change

* Charged when services are moved to a new address

** First customer requested recheck is free; a fee is assessed for any additional calls to the same location for the same issue in a 12-month period

Residents of the United States use more water per person than any other country. On average, each family turns on a tap between 70 and 100 times daily. In Tyler, you can enjoy an 8 ounce glass of water 15,000 times for approximately the same price as a six pack of soda.

Your Meter

Have you ever wondered how much water you use and for what purpose? It's easy to determine by simply reading the water meter. To look at the meter, remove the meter box lid and move or wipe the dirt away from the meter dial. Dirt accumulation in the meter box is normal. Read from left to right just like the odometer on your vehicle. The second to the last number is the actual gallon. The circle, also in red, is the leak indicator. Click here for more information.

Meter readings are progressive in nature. That is, as water is used, the numbers on the dial will progressively increase. To find out how much water was used since your last billing, subtract the reading on your last bill from the reading you take. Remember, for billing purposes, we record usage in thousands of gallons only.

Now, How Much Water Are You Using?

A major use of water during many months of the year is outside irrigation. By turning on your sprinkler and watching the meter dial for one minute, you can determine how many gallons are recorded. By multiplying the number of gallon times the number of minutes you leave the sprinker running, you will know exactly how much water is used for irrigation at any given time. This will allow a projection of the volume used over a weeks period or even a month.

An alternate method is to read the meter just before and after irrigation watering. The same results can be obtained. This method can also be used to determine how much water is used for any other purpose such as showering, clothes washing, etc.

When you finish reading the meter, always be sure the meter lid is placed securely on the meter box to avoid a safety hazard.

By knowing how much water you use for what purpose, you may find ways to conserve, which not only helps in water preservation, but also saves you money.

Although most water leaks can be heard or seen, some are difficult to detect. If your water bill is unusually high and you are unable to find any noticeable leaks at faucets, toilets and outside taps, you can use your water meter to check for leaks.

• To check for leaks using your meter, you will need to know where your water meter is and how to read it. Click here for more information. Shut off all water taps and water sources inside and outside your home.
• Open up the water meter box lid, wipe away any dirt, then open up the meter lid. If the circle area (shown in red on the meter below) is moving, there is a leak.

• Once you have determined there is a leak, you will need to do some troubleshooting to determine its cause. One of the most common places where unnoticeable leaks occur is your toilet.
• If you cannot determine the cause of the leak or if the cause of the leak is not easily fixable, you may need to call a plumber.

Toilet Leakage Rates

Leaking toilets, even a silent leak, will waste from 30 to 500 gallons of water per day!

Faucet Leakage Rates:

Drips:

60 drops per minute = 192 gallons per month

90 drops per minute = 310 gallons per month

120 drops per minute = 429 gallons per month

Stream:

3" stream = 1,095 gallons per month

6" stream = 2,190 gallons per month

9" stream = 3,290 gallons per month

If leaks are not detected and you still have concerns about your water bill, click here for helpful water and money savings tips.

Water Production & Water Quality
Jimmie Johnson, MBA, Manager
PO Box 2039, Tyler, TX 75710
Phone: (903) 939-1538
Fax: (903) 561-3682

Water Production and Water Quality operates and maintains the City's water production wells, raw water pumping stations and water treatment plants, as well as the sanitary sewer lift stations and wastewater treatment plants. Water Production and Water Quality is also responsible for leasing, permitting, construction inspection and lake patrol operations at Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East.

The primary water source for the City is surface water obtained from Lake Tyler, Lake Tyler East, and Lake Bellwood. To date, the City has not diverted any water from Lake Palestine. The City has studies underway with respect to timing and sizing of treatment and transmission facilities from Lake Palestine.

Lake Bellwood

Lake Bellwood has a surface area of 170 acres and served as the primary water supply for the City until Lake Tyler was constructed in 1949. In 1965, the water treatment facilities of the City, located at Lake Bellwood, were retired. The only current diversion of water from Lake Bellwood, is by three users of raw water. Briarwood Country Club and Bellwood Golf Course purchase water in place and pump it with their own facilities for irrigation. The third and major user is Kelly Springfield Tire and Rubber Company. This facility is provided raw water service via a water pumping station and pipeline owned and operated by the City. Lake Bellwood is located on Indian Creek and lies in the Neches River watershed. It and 185 acres of marginal lands owned by the City are presently used principally for limited recreational uses.

Lake Tyler

Lake Tyler was constructed in 1949, and covers approximately 2,400 surface acres. This lake has served as the major source of water supply since its construction. Lake Tyler also serves as a major recreation center for this area, under strict sanitary controls. The Water and Sewer Utilities Department maintains six park areas adjacent to the lake. Lake Tyler is located on Prairie Creek, a tributary of Mud Creek, and lies in the Angelina River watershed. It has storage capacity of over 15 billion gallons (43,500 acre feet) at spillway elevation and has an average depth of 17.6 feet. It has a watershed area of 42 square miles (27,000 acres).

Lake Tyler East

Lake Tyler East was completed and the dam closed in 1967. The lake filled to capacity in 1968, and was connected to Lake Tyler by a connecting channel. This channel, in effect, formed one lake from the standpoint of water supply. Lake Tyler East has a surface area approximately 2,500 acres, a watershed area of 65 square miles and an average depth of 16.5 feet. The lake has slightly less storage area than Lake Tyler. The two lakes have a combined safe yield of approximately 30 million gallons per day. Lake Tyler East is located on Mud Creek and lies in the Angelina River watershed. Recreational use of this lake is the same as for Lake Tyler.

Lake Palestine

Lake Palestine became a part of the City's water supply in 1965, when the City entered into a water supply contract with the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority (the "Authority") for the purchase of 67,200 acre feet of water per annum in place. The contract also provided that the Authority would construct and maintain an intake tower for the City capale of diverting 120 million gallons per day, which is twice the City's average daily entitlement of 60 million gallons. Lake Palestine lies in the Neches River watershed. It is anticipated that Tyler will be using water from Lake Palestine by the year 2003.

Deep Water Wells

Twelve deep water wells are presently available to provide ground water supplies of approximately 9 million gallons per day. The wells produce from the Carrizo Wilcox sand group at depths ranging from 600 feet to 1100 feet. The wells were completed as needed to supplement the surface water supply beginning in the late 1930's through 1996.

Golden Road Water Treatment Plant

Golden Road Water Treatment Plant is located at 2229 Golden Road. The plant was put into operation in 1950, with the final phase of construction being completed in 1986. It has a current capacity of 32 million gallons per day (MGD). The facility uses the conventional treatment methods of sedimentation, flocculation, filtration, and disinfection under the strict guidelines of the Texas Natural Resource and Conservation Commission. The average daily flow is 16.5 MGD.

Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant

Tyler Water Utilities celebrated the completion of its new Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant with a ribbon cutting and open house on Thursday, October 9, 2003.

Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant

Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant is located on Cumberland Road West (CR 110) approximately three miles south of Loop 323. The plant was constructed in 1955, with an original capacity of 3 million gallons per day (MGD). In 1980 it was modified to increase its capacity to the current 9 MGD. This plant is an activated sludge plant, utilizing mechanical aeration to achieve advanced secondary treatment levels. The facility serves approximately 40% of the City and discharges treated effluent into West Mud Creek, which flows into the Mud Creek and thence to the Angelina River. The average daily flow into the plant is currently over 4 million gallons per day.

Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant

Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant is located on CR46 (Old New Harmony Road), seven miles West of the City. The facility has a design capacity of 13 million gallons per day and was placed into operation in 1968, then upgraded in 1990. This plant has a trickling filter/activated sludge plant, utilizing carousel aeration to achieve advanced secondary treatment levels. The facility serves approximately 60% of the City and most of the industrial waste discharges in the system. Effluent from the plant is discharged into Blackfork Creek, which flows into Praire and thence to the Neches River.The average daily flow into the plant is currently over 7 million gallons per day.

Industrial Pretreatment

Water Quality Report 2009

Water Quality Report 2008

Water Quality Report 2007

Water Quality Report 2006

Lake Tyler

Information Coming Soon!

Water Service Center
Kevin Olson, Operations Manager
2300 NNW Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 531-1285
Fax: (903) 531-1336

The Water Service Center operates and maintains more than 500 miles of treated water mains ranging in size from 2" to 48" in diameter, and more than 500 miles of sanitary sewer mains ranging in size from 4" to 54" in diameter. The Water Service Center also provides emergency reponse operations for all water distribution system and sanitary sewer collection system issues, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The primary function of the water distribution system is to safely transport potable drinking water through a network of pipes from the source (storage tanks or treatment plants) to the point of use. Included in the distribution system are the large diameter mains that transport untreated (raw) water from lake sources to the treatment plants. Fire protection is a secondary function of the water distribution system.

The water distribution system has approximately 582 miles of mains ranging in size from 2" in diameter to 48" in diameter. Static water pressure on the system ranges from 30 psi to 125 psi. There are six overhead storage tanks with storage capacity in excess of 6.8 million gallons. And at least 90% of the improved property within the City is 500 feet or less from an approved fire hydrant.

Water Service Center personnel are responsible for operating and maintaining all water mains, storage facilities, fire hydrants, meters, valves, pressure regulators, air valves, and other components in accordance with Federal, State and local rules and regulations while also keeping cost efficiency and productivity in mind. The principal efforts are directed towards prompt, effective service to the public and overall service excellence. In addition, the Water Service Center provides assistance and support to other City departments, as necessary. Actual construction may be performed by City personnel or by private contractors, as circumstances warrant.

Installation of water connections (taps) and service connections from the main to a point outside the curb area or point of the meter set is performed only by Water Service Center personnel or a contractor approved by the Director of Utilities and Public Works. A fee is charged for each new tap to a water main for a connection. This fee is determined by the size of the connection and the size of the meter. If a branch is requested with the tap installation on a one-inch tap or larger, a branch fee is charged, which includes the tap fee plus the activation meter fee for each branch tap. Contact the Development Services Department at 903-531-1171 to schedule a water tap and to pay the applicable fee(s).

Tyler Water Utilities bears full responsibility for maintenance of the water distribution system through the customer's meter. Water Service Center personnel will assist when requested, at no charge, in determining causes and remedies of water problems on private property within reasonable limits.

The function of this sanitary sewer collection system is to safely and efficiently collect and transport wastewater from the point of use to the point of treatment. The sanitary sewer collection system consists of more than 500 miles of mains ranging in size from 4" in diameter to 54" in diameter.

Water Service Center personnel are responsible for protecting public health by reducing sewer spills through the operation and maintenance of all sewer mains, manholes, cleanouts, and other components in accordance with Federal, State and local rules and regulations. This is accomplished by making repairs as needed to pipelines and appurtenances, performing preventative maintenance such as cleaning pipelines and manholes, and adjusting the depths of manholes and cleanouts as required during construction of other projects and improvements. We also are responsible for reducing the amount of inflow and infiltration into the collection system to reduce treatment costs and increase treatment plant efficiency. In addition, the Water Service Center provides support and assitance to other City departments, as needed.

Installation of sewer connections (taps) and service connections from the main to the property line or point of user connection is performed only by Water Service center personnel or a contractor approved by the Director of Utilities and Public Works. A fee is charged for each new tap to a sewer main for a connection. Contact the Development Services Department at 903-531-1171 to schedule a sewer tap and to pay the applicable fee(s).

Taste and Odor Problems
Contaminants found in drinking water may cause taste, color or odor problems. These do not necessarily indicate a change in the safety of your water. Water taste is affected by mineral content as well as the presence of chlorine.

Taste and odor problems may occur in surface water (i.e. water taken from lakes or other surface sources) for a number of reasons, such as algae growth, change in temperature, excessive rainfall, flooding, drought or dry weather conditions.

If you experience a problem with the taste or odor of your water, let the water run for a few minutes to clear the lines or fill a pitcher and allow it to sit for several hours.

Cloudiness
Cloudy water from the faucet may be caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to the gas bubbles in beer or carbonated soft drinks. After a while, the bubbles rise to the top and disappear.

Dirty Water
Usually when water looks dirty, it's due to changes in the way the water system is operating. When the flow of water changes directions in the pipes, it agitates settled materials at the bottom of the pipes. These changes can be caused by routine water main maintenance, broken fire hydrants or water main breaks. The water usually looks dirty for a short time and is drinkable once it clears.

One way to clear the dirty water out of your pipes is to run all your faucets for a few minutes. If the water is still not clear, then do the same thing again every half hour or so. The problem should go away within two to four hours. If it doesn’t call the Water Service Center at 903-531-1285.

If your sewer backs up, please call the Water Service Center at 903-531-1285 immediately. A crew can make sure the blockage is not in the city-owned portion of the pipe before you incur the expense of a private plumber.

It is also a good idea for all property owners and tenants to become familiar with the general layout of their plumbing system, especially the location of their sewer cleanout. The cleanout cover is usually located in the yard and allows easy access to the more distant parts of the private sewer line so blockages may be removed. A plumber can help locate sewer cleanouts.

Residents can aid in preventing clogged sewer lines by not putting grease and greasy food scraps down the sink or garbage disposal. Grease collects on the inside walls of pipes until blockages occur. Grease, meat drippings, and any type of greasy leftovers should be collected in a disposable container and thrown into the trash.

First and Foremost: Know the location of the shut-off valve in your building. If you do not have one, have one installed as soon as possible.

Preparing outside your home

• Remove and store hoses.
• Wrap outside faucets.
• Wrap pipes in crawl spaces, under porches, garages and any pipes which have frozen in the past.
• To wrap pipes, use dry newspapers, plastic bags (secured with string or wire), or commercially manufactured coverings sold at hardware and plumbing stores.
• Use electric heat tape to wrap pipes that have frozen before despite using other precautionary measures.
• Drain irrigation or water systems.
• If snow or ice is forecast, some customers may want to place a visible stick or other type of marker by their water meter.

Preparing Inside Your Home

• Open cabinet doors under sinks to give pipes next to outside walls exposure to warm air.
• Find the faucet farthest from the main water line and allow it to drip cold water at a very slow rate in order to keep water moving through the pipes.

Preparing Vacant or Unheated Buildings

• Turn off the hot water heater and the main shut-off valve in the building.
• Drain pipes by opening all indoor and outdoor faucets and then closing them.
• Shut off the valve to each toilet and flush once to drain the tank (not necessarily the bowl).

Thawing Frozen Pipes

• Thaw as soon as possible.
• Do not use an open flame or hair dryer.
• Wrap the pipe with rags and pour hot water over the rags.
• Call a plumber or capable handyman to thaw pipes or to replace broken pipes.

• Scrape dishes clean instead of rinsing them before washing. There is no need to rinse disches unless they are heavily soiled.
• Use a pan of water, or place a stopper in the sink, for washing and rinsing pots, pans, dishes, and cooking implements rather than turning on the water faucet each time a rinse is needed.
• Never run the dishwasher without a full load. This will save water, energy, detergent and money.
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly or start a compost pile.
• Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator. Running water from the tap until it is cool is wasteful. Better still, both water and energy can be saved by keeping cold water in a picnic jug on the kitchen counter to avoid opening the refrigerator door frequently.
• Use a small pan of cold water when cleaning fruits and vegetables rather than running water from the faucet over them.
• Use only a little water in the pot and put a lid on it for cooking most food. Not only does this method save water, but food is more nutritious since vitamins and minerals are not poured down the drain with the extra cooking water.
• Always keep water conservation in mind, and think of other ways to save in the kitchen. Small savings, like not making too much coffee, can add up in a year's time.

• Take short showers and install a cutoff valve, or turn the water off, while washing. Turn the water back on only to rinse.
• Take a shower instead of taking a bath. Showers with low-flow shower heads often use less water than taking a bath.
• Reduce the level of the water being used in a bathtub by one or two inches if a shower is not available.
• Shampoo hair in the shower. Shampooing in the shower takes only a little more water than is used to shampoo hair during a bath and much less than shampooing and bathing separately.
• When building a new home or remodeling a bathroom, install a new low-volume flush toilet. Toilets made before 1993 use from 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) up to 8 gpf, while new high efficiency toilets are required to use 1.6 gpf or less.
• When toilets cannot be replaced, consider displacing some of the water in the tank. Plastic bottles, such as clean, empty milk or chlorine jugs, can be filled with water and weighted down with a few stones and then placed in the most open portion of the tank. This will save as much water as is displaced by the bottle. Make sure the bottle does not interfere with the operation of the moving parts in the tank. Displacement devices should be checked periodically to insure that they remain in place. NOTE: Do not use bricks as a displacement device. They will erode and the particles can clog your drainage system.
• Test toilets for leaks (as described below). If leaks are discovered, repair them immediately.
• Never use the toilet to dispose of cleansing tissues, cigarette butts or other trash. This wastes a great deal of water and also places an unnecessary load on the municipal sewage treatment plant or your septic system.
• Do not let the water run when washing hands. Water should be turned off while washing and scrubbing and be turned on again to rinse. A cutoff valve may be installed on the faucet.
• Do not use hot water when cold will do. Water and energy can be saved by washing hands with soap and cold water. Hot water should be added only when hands are especially dirty.
• When brushing teeth, turn the water off until it is time to rinse.
• When shaving, fill the lavatory basin with warm water instead of letting the water run continuously.
• Install faucet aerators to reduce water consumption.
• Install a low-flow shower head that limits the flow to less than three gallons per minute.

What's the truth about toilets?

The toilet is the single biggest water user in your home, accounting for 40 - 50% of all household usage. Toilets are also often one of the largest sources of water loss. Toilet leaks can waste thousands of gallons a month, causing your water usage to double or even triple. Often leaks are silent, going undetected for long periods of time.

Fortunately, most leaks are fairly simple to find and repair. The most common toilet leak is caused by a deteriorated or defective flush valve (flapper) ball at the bottom of the toilet tank. If the flapper or ball valve does not seat properly and form a water tight seal, water will leak around it into the toilet bowl. Often, this leak will occur without being heard. To test for this type of leak, add a few drops of food color or place a colored dye tablet (available from many hardware stores) in the toilet after it has stopped filling. Wait at least 20 minutes - if any trace of color appears in the toilet bowl, there is a leak. This type of leak can be fixed by relpacing either the float cup fill valve, the float ball (ballcock) fill valve, flapper, tank ball, or flush valve.

The second most-common type of leak is caused by an improperly adjusted or broken fill (ballcock) valve. If the float is set too high or if the shut-off valve fails to close completely, water will continue to enter the tank and flow into the overflow tube. This type of leak can be seen simply by taking the tank top off and observing if water is flowing into the overflow tube once the tank is full. The solution to this type of toilet problem is to reset the tank water to a lower level by using the fill valve’s water level adjustment clip. If it is a float cup-type valve, squeeze the two sides of the metal clip together, then slide clip down the rod. In the case of a float ball-type valve, lower water level by bending float arm slightly downward.

• Traditional clothes washers use approximately 41 gallons per load (gpl), while high efficiency machines use only 23 gpl. Replace outdated machines whenever possible.
• Wash only a full load when using an automatic washing machine(32 to 59 gallons are required per load).
• Whenever possible, use the lowest water-level setting on the washing machine for light or partial loads.
• Use cold water as often as possible to save energy and to conserve the hot water for uses that cold water cannot serve.

• Check water requirements of various models and brands when considering purchasing any new appliances. Some use significantly less water than others.
• Check all water line connections and faucets for leaks. A slow drip can waste as much as 170 gallons of water EACH DAY, or 5,000 gallons per month, and will add cost to your water bill.
• Learn to repair faucets so that drips can be corrected promptly. It is easy to do, costs very little, and can mean a substantial savings in plumbing and water bills.
• Check for hidden water leakage such as a leak between the water meter and the house. To check, turn off all indoor and outdoor faucets and water-using appliances. The water meter should be read at 10 to 20 minute intervals. Click here for more information. If it continues to run or turn, a leak exists and needs to be located and repaired.
• Insulate all hot water pipes to reduce the delays (and wasted water) experienced while waiting for the water to "run hot".
• Be sure the water heater thermostat is not set too high. Extremely hot settings waste water and energy because the water often has to be cooled with cold water before it can be used. Setting the thermostat too high can also be dangerous, as too hot water can resultin scalds or burns.
• Use a moisture meter to determine when house plants need water. More plants die from over-watering than from being on the dry side.

• Water yards only when needed. Look at the grass, feel the soil, or use a soil moisture meter to determine when to water.
• Do not over-water. Soil can absorb only so much moisture and the rest simply runs off. A timer will help - either a kitchen timer or an alarm clock will do. One and a half inches of water applied once a week in the summer will keep most Texas grasses alive and healthy.
• Water lawns early in the morning during the hotter summer months. Otherwise, much of the water used on the lawn can simply evaporate between the sprinkler and the grass.
• To avoid excessive evaporation, use a sprinkler that produces large drops of water, rather than a fine mist. Sprinklers that send droplets out on a low angle also help control evaporation.
• Set automatic sprinkler systems to provide thorough, but infrequent watering. Pressure-regulating devices should be set to design specifications. Rain shutoff devices can prevent watering in the rain.
• Use drip irrigation systems for bedded plants, trees, or shrubs. Or turn soaker hoses upside-down so the holes are on the bottom. This will help avoid evaporation.
• Forget about watering the streets or walks or driveways. They will never grow a thing. Sweep instead of washing down sidewalks, walkways, driveways, etc.
• Vehicle washing should be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a postive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses.