Auburn Water System

WHERE DOES YOUR WATER COME FROM? Generally, water supplies (both tap and bottled) originate from various sources including rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land surfaces or through underground layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals, sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include: microbial contaminants, inorganic contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, organic chemicals, and radioactive elements. To ensure tap water safety, the State and EPA establish regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. Similarly, the FDA sets standards for bottled water that provide equivalent public health protection.

Auburn Water System draws from Owasco Lake, a surface water supply. The intake structure extends approximately 1,800 feet into the lake through a 30-inch line. The City's permitted withdrawal is 15 million gallons daily, as authorized by Water Resource Application #422. A 1995 study determined the reliable yield to be 48 mgd without ecological impact.

Owasco Lake is classified as Class-AA Special by the NY Department of Environmental Conservation (6 NYCRR Part 702), marking it as an exceptional potable water source deserving protection. The transmission line from the Upper Pumping Station to the Swift Street Filtration Plant consists of approximately 8,800 feet of 24-inch cast iron pipe, with portions updated during the 2001 Seawall Project reconstruction.

The City operates two filtration plants: a slow-sand facility built in 1916-17 with four beds totaling 7.5 mg capacity, and a rapid-sand plant constructed in 1969 with three dual-media filters providing 7.25 mg capacity. The rapid-sand plant pre-treats water with poly-aluminum chloride for coagulation and sedimentation before filtration. All water receives Sodium Hypochlorite Solution disinfection before distribution.

Water reserves are maintained in the Franklin Street (10.25 mg) and Swift Street (3 mg) reservoirs. The City also protects its raw water intake from Zebra Mussels using Sodium Hypochlorite Solution at 0.40-0.70 mg/L concentrations, preventing juvenile mussels from maturing and restricting water flow.

Municipal water, including bottled varieties, may reasonably contain small amounts of contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. The City treats water according to EPA and NYSDOH guidelines, and the FDA regulates bottled water standards similarly. The City maintains a Watershed Protection program implementing regulations under NYCRR Section 1100 (Public Health).

Setting Up Water Service

1. Property owners within city limits can call the billing department at 989-725-0520 to establish water service.
2. Non-property owners must provide a security deposit and visit City Hall's Information Desk during business hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday) at 301 West Main Street.

Security Deposits

Water security deposits offset potential unpaid utility charges. Anyone requesting service who isn't the property's taxpayer of record must pay a deposit. All accounts outside city limits also require deposits. Current residential deposits are $75.

Billing Structure

All utility customers pay fees established by City Council to support operations, maintenance, administration, and infrastructure. Current rates include:

• Water (In-city): $2.20 per 750 gallons
• Water (Out-of-city): $4.40 per 750 gallons
• Water – Demand charge based on meter size*
• Sewer (In-city): $2.60 per 750 gallons
• Sewer – Demand charge based on water meter size*
• Water-Main Replacement Charge – Based on water meter size*

*Contact the Water Department at (989) 725-0520 for details.

Billing Schedule & Payment Options

Bills are issued quarterly during the first week of January, April, July, and October, due by the 5th of the following month. Late payments incur a 10% penalty.

Payment options include:

• In-person at City Hall (301 W. Main Street, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. M-F)
• Mail (include bill stub, no cash)
• Drop box in the parking lot between City Hall and Public Safety Building (no cash)
• Automatic Bill Pay (free service)
• Interactive Voice Response (convenience fee applies)
• Online payment via credit/debit or electronic check (convenience fee applies)

Troubleshooting High Water Bills

Check for:

• Dripping faucets
• Silent toilet leaks (use food coloring test)
• Running garden hoses
• Basement/crawl space leaks
• Recent pool filling
• Lawn/garden watering
• Hot water heater leaks near floor drains
• Furnace humidifier adjustments
• Water softener valve issues