Jefferson County W and S District - M Water Company

Welcome to the Jefferson County Water and Sewer District (JCWSD) Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) web page. By scrolling down, you'll find documents indexed according to your service area within the JCWSD network. For questions about your service location, please contact the District at 740-283-8577.

Our service areas include:

• Service Area A – New Alexandria, State Rt. 151 Areas (supplied by Brilliant Water District)
• Service Areas G1 and G2 – County Roads 1, 4, 14, 15, 16 and 17 (supplied by Tiltonsville Water Department)
• Service Area – Smithfield, Piney Fork, Bradley, Dillonvale Ridge, State Rt. 152 (supplied by both Brilliant and Tiltonsville systems)
• Service Areas M, PHKE and B1 – Richmond Area, East Springfield Area, Amsterdam, Bergholz, Irondale, Hammondsville, Knoxville, Pottery Addition, Toronto Area, Bloomingdale Area (supplied by Toronto Water System)
• Service Area O – Overlook Hills in Wintersville Area (supplied by both Toronto and Steubenville Water Systems)
• Service Area J – Sunshine Park, Jefferson Blvd., Williams Blvd. (supplied by Steubenville Water System)

If you prefer a paper copy of any report, please contact JCWSD at 740-283-8577.

Where is my water meter, and how do I read it?

Your meter is typically located in your home's basement or in an underground meter pit if you don't have a basement. These pits are installed deep enough to prevent freezing. Water usually enters from the street side of the house, with the meter positioned on the incoming water pipe. The meter head measures about 3 inches in diameter with a large hand and small red diamond or triangle indicator.

To read your meter:

1. Where does Jefferson County W and S District - M water come from?
   Jefferson County W and S District - M supplies purchased surface water to Jefferson County, Ohio.
2. Does Jefferson County W and S District - M test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, Jefferson County W and S District - M must test its water under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and publish an annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report). Ask the utility for the latest report or look for it on its website.
3. How do I contact Jefferson County W and S District - M?
   Call 740-283-8577 or visit 596 State Route 43, Wintersville, OH 43952, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does Jefferson County W and S District - M water contain lead?
   Water usually leaves the treatment plant without lead. Lead can enter tap water from older service lines, solder and brass fixtures inside homes, especially when water sits in the pipes. Run the tap before drinking if water has been sitting, and ask the utility about lead testing and service line records.
5. Is Jefferson County W and S District - M water hard?
   Hardness depends on the source and changes over time. The annual water quality report lists hardness, or you can test it at home. If it is above about 7 grains per gallon, a water softener sized to your measured hardness will stop scale and spotting.

Note: The oil visible on the dial face prevents corrosion and extends the mechanism's lifespan. It doesn't enter your water supply or affect water quality.

How does the municipality read my meter?

Most Winchester homes have an exterior meter pad connected by wire to your meter. This allows water department staff to collect readings quarterly using handheld devices that make contact with the pad.

Note: Winchester Water Department is upgrading to a radio-read system. These new devices transmit data via radio frequency to receivers in passing vehicles, improving efficiency and reducing meter-reading time. Radio readers can transmit from approximately 150 feet away.

What constitutes one unit of water?

Water usage is measured in consumption units. One unit equals 100 cubic feet (approximately 748 gallons) – visualize a container 5' × 5' × 4' to understand this volume.

What should I do about an unexpectedly high water bill?

To investigate higher-than-normal charges:

1. Inspect all fixtures for leaks or malfunctions – a dripping faucet can waste 25+ gallons daily
2. Check toilets carefully (most common leak source):
• Adjust overflow tube levels to remain 1" below the top
• Test for flapper valve leaks using food coloring in the tank – color appearing in the bowl indicates leakage
• Basic toilet repairs cost approximately $15 for DIY repairs
3. Inspect external water lines to gardens, barns or outbuildings for underground leaks
4. When not in use, shut off these external lines at the house connection

After making repairs, contact the Water Department for a new meter reading and additional assistance locating leaks.

Why might my bill be estimated?

The Winchester Water Department prefers accurate readings over estimates. Estimates typically occur when meter pads are inaccessible due to snow, fencing, vegetation or other obstructions. Reading over 1,100 meters takes up to two weeks, and for safety reasons, staff cannot remove obstacles blocking access.