Water and Sewer

Please Note Water & Sewer Billing is a service of the Accounting Department. Please call 248.656.4688 with any questions about billing.

Overview

Water and Sewer Division Service (248) 656-4685

Services Performed:

• Bike path maintenance
• Water and sewer permits, inspections, connections
• Water main breaks
• Road maintenance (graveling, ditching, snow plowing, chloride)
• Roadside catch basin maintenance
• Sanitary sewer maintenance
• Hydrant permits and maintenance (fill swimming pools, construction use, etc.)
  area maintenance meters
• Miss Dig (800-482-7171)

A Letter From The Director - Water Conservation

ALTERNATE DAY LAWN WATERING

Dear Resident,

I appreciate the cooperation residents have demonstrated in adhering to past years Alternate Day Watering Programs. As concern for our natural environment grows, and residents become more cost conscious, the need to preserve and maintain our infrastructure has become vital. Because our community has progressed from a rural township to a mature city, the demands on our water and sewer systems require careful management. With that in mind, the 2005 water conservation program has begun with implementation of Administrative Policy #2005-01. Declaration of Water Restrictions

The Alternate Day Watering Program provides cost saving benefits and helps to protect our environment.

1. Rochester Hills purchases drinking water from the City of Detroit. Our purchase price is based on daily peak hour demands that are greatly influenced by the amount of water resident's use during lawn watering. By adhering to alternate day watering cycle, we can reduce the peak hour factors resulting in a lower water purchase price. 
   
2. A recent inventory of storm water drainage basins and ponds indicated that lawn fertilizers are promoting excessive plant growth leading to clogged drainage outlets. This restriction reduces the ability of the basins to provide their intended water storage and release function and creates flooding when drain outlets become blocked with plant debris.
   
3. Repair crews have cited an increase in needed road repairs as a result of excessive lawn watering. Once saturated, the roadbed softens, promoting erosion of soils underneath the paved portion of the roadway. This migration of soils underneath the roadway creates voids that eventually cause the paved portion of the road to settle into large potholes. This problem is particularly noticeable around catch basins and drains in older subdivisions.

Sincerely,

Roger H. Rousse
Director

Did you know...............................

Watering during our hot, windy spring and summer days can cause over half of your water to miss its mark due to evaporation and wind drift! Research shows that the best time to water is in the early morning between midnight and sunrise, when humidity is high but temperatures and wind speed are low. If morning watering isn't practical for you, try watering in the evening. If you were watering during the daytime before, you'll find you are now able to water less while keeping your plants healthy and attractive.

Whether you choose to water in the mornings or evenings, be alert to weather conditions. If it is windy or rainy, postpone watering until conditions are more appropriate.

DIVISION 6.  OUTDOOR WATERING

Sec. 102-394.  Restriction.

To conserve water and reduce water consumption during peak hours, the outdoor watering of lawns, gardens, plants, trees, shrubs and other landscape shall be regulated as follows:

(1)   Applicability.  This section shall apply to all customers of the city's water supply system engaged in outdoor watering. However, this section shall not apply to outdoor watering from a well, pond or other water source that is not connected to or supplied by the city's water supply system, nor shall it apply to outdoor watering associated with commercial agriculture, farming, tree and plant nursery and golf course operations. 

(2)   Automatic system hours.  Except as permitted in subsection (c), below, outdoor watering by means of an automatic or programmable landscape irrigation system may be done only between the hours of midnight to 5:00 a.m., [State of] Michigan time. 

(3)   Manual irrigation.  A water user may, at any time, manually irrigate landscaping by means other than an automatic or programmable landscape irrigation system. Also, an automatic or programmable landscape irrigation system may occasionally be used in unprogrammed manual mode for brief periods and as necessary for testing, repair and winterizing purposes. 

(4)   Request for relief.  If the foregoing outdoor watering restrictions create a hardship, the water user may request relief from the director of the department of public service or the director's designee. The requester shall specify the nature and duration of the requested relief and shall explain the hardship caused by the restriction. The director or designee may grant, modify or deny the requested relief, taking into consideration the contractual obligations of the city regarding the city's water supply system, prevailing weather conditions, any unusual or extenuating circumstances, water supply and water supply system conditions, and the particular circumstances of the requester. The decision of the director or designee shall be final. 

(5)   Violation.  The water customer and the owner or occupant of premises where outdoor watering in violation of this section occurs shall be responsible for a municipal civil infraction in accordance with Chapter 66 of the Code of Ordinances. 

a.   First offense.  For a first offense within a calendar year, the violator shall receive a warning, with no fine. 

b.   Subsequent offense.  For any subsequent or repeat offense within a calendar year, the violator shall be responsible for a municipal civil infraction punishable by a civil fine of not more than $500.00 and/or such other sanctions for municipal civil infractions prescribed in section 1-16 of the Code of Ordinances. 

(Ord. No. 524, 1, 8-11-2008)

Water Quality Reports