Horseheads Village

Typically, municipal water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across landscapes or through underground layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and can pick up substances from animal or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include: microbial contaminants, inorganic compounds, pesticides and herbicides, organic chemicals, and radioactive substances. To ensure tap water safety, both State and EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems. Similarly, FDA regulations establish limits for bottled water contaminants to provide equivalent public health protection.

Our water comes from surface water drawn from two 50-foot-deep wells on Mill Street. We also operate a 70-foot-deep well and filter plant on Old Ithaca Road with a backup well nearby. Before distribution, our water is treated with chlorine for disinfection and fluoride for dental health.

The NYS Department of Health has completed a source water assessment for our system based on available information. This assessment evaluated potential threats to our drinking water sources and assigned susceptibility ratings. The state's assessment found our wells have high to very high susceptibility to microbials, nitrates, industrial solvents, and other industrial contaminants. Well #4, though not assessed, is similar to our other wells.

These ratings primarily result from the proximity of permitted discharge facilities to our wells and low-intensity non-commercial activities in the assessment area. Additionally, our wells draw from an unconfined aquifer yielding over 100 GPM without adequate protection from potential contamination. While our source water assessment rates wells as susceptible to microbial contamination, note that our water undergoes disinfection to ensure it meets New York State's standards.

Facts and Figures: Our water system serves 15,000 people through 3,645 service connections. In 2017, we produced 463 million gallons of water, with 352 million gallons delivered to consumers. The remaining 111 million gallons were used for main flushing, hydrant testing, firefighting, municipal use, and lost to leakage. Our daily average distribution is 1.3 million gallons, with a peak day of 1.9 million gallons. In 2017, Village residents paid an average annual fee of $213.00 while customers outside the Village paid $319.00 for 60,000 gallons of water.

1. How do I report a problem with our system, such as a water leak or sewer backup? Report emergency water main damage, clogged or overflowing sewer lines, or leaking water meters/hydrants to Public Works at (972) 924-4510 or call (214) 585-7725 after normal business hours.
2. What if I suspect my water meter is reading incorrectly? Like any mechanical device, meters typically slow down with age. While meters may slow and under-register usage, they cannot over-register as their mechanical components cannot speed up or record significantly higher readings than actual consumption. If your bill shows a dramatic increase from previous years without changes in usage patterns (e.g., new pool, additional household members), contact Utility Billing at (972) 924-2432. You can also visit www.annatexas.gov, click "online payments" then select "View my water usage."
3. Where does Anna's water come from? Anna receives water from combined ground and surface sources. The groundwater comes from seven city-owned wells, while surface water is purchased from Greater Texoma Utility Authority (GTUA) through an agreement with North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD).
4. Do we have watering restrictions each year, or just during droughts? What are the rules? Our outdoor watering/irrigation ordinance prohibits lawn watering from 10 AM to 6 PM annually from April 1st through October 31st (General Ordinances, Section 16. Lawn and Landscape Irrigation).
5. Who is responsible for my water leak? Locate your meter box (typically in front yard under a round metal or square plastic lid). If the leak occurs between the street and meter box, it's the City's responsibility—call (972) 924-4510 or (214) 585-7725 after hours. If the leak is between the meter box and your faucet, it's the homeowner's responsibility, requiring a licensed plumber.
6. If we're supposed to be conserving water, why do city employees open hydrants and let water run into streets? Flushing dead-end mains is a state-mandated maintenance and water quality requirement.
7. Who do I call if I suspect a water leak? Contact Public Works at (972) 924-4510 or (214) 585-7725 after normal business hours.
8. Why is the water soft? Soft water contains low concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions. It naturally occurs where rainfall and drainage basins consist of hard, impervious, calcium-deficient rock formations.
9. What are some water conservation tips? Visit our website for a comprehensive list of conservation strategies for both indoor and outdoor water usage.