Johnson City Water Works

The Johnson City Water Department annually issues comprehensive reports on municipal water quality to comply with New York State regulations. These reports aim to educate residents about their water sources and promote awareness about protecting these vital resources.

Your water originates from a substantial underground aquifer accessed through five wells strategically located throughout the Village. These wells, situated on North Broad Street, Olive Street, and at the Camden Street plant in Westover, collectively produce up to 12 million gallons daily. The system includes four reservoir tanks with 5 million gallons capacity and booster stations serving three elevation zones.

This water supply network serves all of Johnson City Village, Airport Road in the Town of Maine, Westover and Fairmont Park in the Town of Union, and portions of Dickinson Town and Endicott Village. The infrastructure includes approximately 70 miles of water mains connecting about 5,650 homes and businesses, serving 15,174 residents. The system also maintains 525 fire hydrants for community safety.

Water treatment includes liquid chlorination at each well site for disinfection. At the Camden Street facility, Calciquest (a sequestering agent) stabilizes water pumped through air strippers that remove any volatile contaminants present in raw water.

The NYS Department of Health has completed source water assessments for our system, identifying potential vulnerability factors for each well. This information guides our disinfection and treatment protocols to address issues before they affect water quality.

New York State and EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water. We regularly test for numerous substances including coliform, inorganic compounds, nitrate, lead, copper, volatile organic compounds, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and synthetic organic compounds.

During 2017, Johnson City Water Department collected at least 20 bacteriological samples monthly from the distribution system. Testing revealed some contaminants, but all were below New York State thresholds, resulting in no violations. Additionally, New York State tested for perfluorinated substances (PFCs) at Camden Road and Well #6, finding levels well below the USEPA health advisory level of 70 ng/l.

1. How do I sign up for DirectLink, the City's alert monitoring system? To learn more about DirectLink or to sign up, click here.
2. How do I report a streetlight outage? Contact CenterPoint Energy at http://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/business/in-your-community/electric-outage-center/report-streetlight-outages?sa=ho - you'll need the streetlight number from the pole for your report.
3. How can I monitor power outages in the area? Visit CenterPoint Energy's outage tracker at http://gis.centerpointenergy.com/outagetracker/
4. How do I schedule a child car seat inspection/installation? The West University Place Fire Department has staff certified by Safe Kids USA to perform child restraint device inspections. This free service is available only to community residents by appointment, typically scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Call 713-662-5835 and ask to speak with a fire officer.
5. How do I rent Colonial Park facilities? All Colonial Park reservations are handled through the West University Place Recreation Center at 4210 Bellaire or by calling 713-662-7420.
6. How do I reserve a tennis court? Recreation Center front desk staff can take phone reservations for West U tennis pass holders. Call 713-662-7420 to make your reservation.
7. How do I report an apparent health code violation at a restaurant in West U? Contact the Harris County Health and Environmental Services Department (Environmental Health Services Division) at 713-439-6270. The Director of this department serves as the City of West University Place's health authority.
8. How do I reserve the Community Building or Scout House? To reserve the Scout House (6108 Edloe) or the Community Building (6104 Auden), contact Toby at 713-662-5897 or Brett at 713-662-5896.
9. How do I purchase a West U car sticker? Car stickers ($1.00 each) are available at the Finance Department (3800 University Boulevard) or the Public Works Permit Office (3826 Amherst). Proof of residency is required, though stickers aren't mandatory for parking in West U.
10. How can I receive my utility bill by email? Contact Finance staff at 713-662-5826 or 713-662-5824 to request electronic billing. We'll need your valid email address. Email bills arrive approximately five days before mailed copies.
11. Can I pay my utility bill over the phone? We don't accept phone payments unless your service has been disconnected for non-payment.
12. What payment methods do you accept for utility bills? We offer automatic bank account drafts and credit card payments (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) through our Citizen Access online service. We also accept checks, money orders, credit cards, and cash at the Customer Service window in City Hall, plus checks and money orders by mail or drop box on Amherst. Please don't send cash through mail or drop box. For more information, call 713-662-5826 or 713-662-5824.
13. What are the court hours? Municipal Court meets three Tuesdays monthly at 6 pm in Council Chambers, but the clerk's office operates from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm daily. Those with tickets can contact the clerk during these hours to pay fines, arrange defensive driving, or make bonds. For information about services available outside scheduled court dates, call 713-662-5825 or 713-662-5854.