City of Midland

The Midland Municipal Water Treatment Plant delivers water through a comprehensive multi-stage treatment process that's rigorously tested to meet strict government standards. Many residents aren't aware that their tap water undergoes this thorough purification before reaching their homes.

It's important to understand that all water sources, including bottled water, naturally contain some level of impurities. The presence of these substances doesn't automatically indicate a health risk. For detailed information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Source Water Information:
Midland has sourced its water from Lake Huron since 1948. The intake system is jointly managed by Midland and Saginaw through the Saginaw-Midland Municipal Water Supply Corporation. Water enters the system through two intake structures at Whitestone Point on Lake Huron, where it's initially chlorinated to eliminate bacteria and invasive species before traveling 65 miles via pipeline to Midland.

The Midland Water Treatment Plant can deliver up to 48 million gallons of treated Lake Huron water daily. Professional operators, analysts, and maintenance staff continuously monitor, test, and adjust treatment processes to maintain exceptional quality standards. Distribution specialists ensure water quality as it travels through approximately 405 miles of water mains throughout the Midland area.

Special Health Considerations:
Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Those with compromised immune systems—including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly individuals, and infants—should seek medical advice about their municipal water consumption. Guidelines for reducing infection risks from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

PFAS Information:
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are manufactured compounds used across various industries. The EPA has established a lifetime health advisory of 70 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS compounds. Midland's water was tested for PFAS between 2013-2014 and again in 2017-2018, with results below the Limit of Detection (LOD).

1. Where can I pay my water bill?
   Bills can be paid at the Authority office located at 219 Speelman Lane during regular business hours. An after-hours drop box is also available for payment submission.
2. Is Fluoride added to my water?
   Monroeville water contains approximately one part per million of Fluoride naturally.
3. How often is my meter read?
   Both residential and commercial meters are read monthly to ensure accurate billing.
4. What part of the sewer line am I responsible for?
   Residential customers are responsible for the sewer lateral, which extends from the tap on the main line upstream to the house. This includes any portion crossing roadways to reach the MMA-owned main sewer line.
5. What part of my water line am I responsible for?
   Residents are responsible for the section of waterline from the shutoff valve near the street edge up to and including the water meter. All plumbing beyond the meter is also the customer's responsibility.
6. How can I check for water leaks?
   Turn off all water-using appliances and fixtures in your home. Check the small leak detection triangle on your water meter dial. If this triangle rotates even slightly, you have a leak. For toilet leaks, add food coloring to the tank and wait 10 minutes - if colored water appears in the bowl, your toilet is leaking.
7. What is the hardness of my water?
   Water hardness in 2013 ranged between 79-101 mg/l, which is considered moderately hard to hard.
8. What if my tenant doesn't pay their water bill?
   Property owners are ultimately responsible for unpaid water bills accrued by their tenants.
9. What's the difference between pollution and contamination?
   Pollution affects water quality regarding taste, odor, or utility but doesn't pose immediate health risks. Contamination represents an actual health hazard, potentially exposing consumers to waterborne diseases or infections.
10. Why is chlorine used in municipal water?
    State and federal regulations require disinfection of all public water supplies. Chlorine is recognized by the EPA and health organizations as one of the most effective ways to protect public health from disease-causing organisms found in surface waters. The water authority carefully manages chlorination to maintain adequate disinfection while limiting disinfection byproducts like TTHMs.