University Water System

The University Water System conducts comprehensive testing of your municipal water daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually for up to 97 different substances. In 2017, our staff performed more than 1000 individual tests on your water supply. These testing schedules are established by federal and state regulatory agencies to ensure your water safety.

Our primary goal is maintaining water quality within the safe limits determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2017, our water quality surpassed all state and federal municipal water requirements. Your water comes 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 and sometimes radioactive materials. It can also pick up substances from animal presence or human activities. The City of West University Place is committed to providing safe, clean water to all residents.

The Source Water Assessment completed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) describes the susceptibility of your water source to various contaminants based on environmental factors and human activities. For more information about these assessments and protection efforts, please contact our office.

All municipal water, including bottled varieties, may contain small amounts of certain contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. EPA regulations strictly limit contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA establishes similar standards for bottled water.

Occasionally, you might notice taste, color, or odor issues with your water. These aesthetic concerns aren't always health-related. For more information about water quality or potential health effects from contaminants, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

1. Who can answer questions about my bill? Call Customer Service at 913/895-1800. Our representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to help manage your water account.
2. Is WaterOne's tap water safe to drink? Yes! Our water exceeds all regulatory standards and has been recognized for its excellent taste. Municipal water is regulated by the Kansas Department of Health & Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
3. What should I do during a water emergency? If you suddenly lose water service or notice a main break (water flowing down the street without visible source), call our 24-hour Customer Service line at 913/895-1800. After business hours, our answering service will take your information and dispatch an on-call field crew.
4. What's the difference between a boil advisory and a boil order? A boil advisory is a precautionary measure issued when water quality might be compromised. It's recommended to boil all water used for food and beverage preparation for two minutes. A boil order confirms contamination is present, making it essential to boil all water used for consumption for two minutes.
5. Can I receive notifications about water emergencies in my area? Absolutely! Register at www.NotifyJoCo.Org to receive phone, text, or email alerts about water outages and other emergency situations near your home, workplace, school, and other important addresses.
6. What is a water "main"? "Main" refers to a pipe. A water main is part of the infrastructure system that delivers water to our customers.
7. Do I live in WaterOne's service area? Check our service area map online or call Customer Service at 913/895-1800 to verify your address.
8. Is a deposit required for water service? Most residential and commercial accounts don't require security deposits. We only require deposits for fire hydrant accounts and accounts with histories of late or returned payments.
9. How frequently will I be billed? Single-family homes receive bi-monthly bills, totaling six bills per calendar year. All other accounts are billed monthly.
10. Are there connection fees for new construction? Yes, growth pays for growth. New construction is subject to a System Development Charge (SDC) based on meter size. For details, contact our New Services staff at 913/895-5728.
11. What does the service charge cover? The service charge covers fixed costs of providing water service, including meter reading, billing, infrastructure maintenance, and public water for fire protection. Volume-based water charges depend on your consumption choices.
12. What is the Kansas Water Plan fee on my bill? This is a state-mandated fee required of all Kansas water customers. State law requires water utilities to collect this consumption-based charge and send it to the State of Kansas for the Kansas Water Plan. The state uses these funds to address water issues including sustainable resources, flood control, water quality, and wetland protection. For more information, contact the Kansas Water Office at 1-888-KAN-WATER.
13. What is the Block 2 rate on my bill? Our simple two-block rate structure increases based on usage. Your base usage is billed at the Block 1 rate. We measure your winter consumption (January-April meter readings) to establish your Average Winter Consumption (AWC). The Block 1 rate applies to 125% of your AWC, while Block 2 is a premium rate for usage above that threshold. Block 2 rates encourage conservation and fairly distribute peak service costs.