Utilities

Water Department  |  Detention Basin

The City of Whiting Water Department provides potable water to all city residents, commercial customers and local industry. The city began selling water in 1903 and subsequently built a filtration plant in 1920 to treat the water. The filtration plant is located in the Standard Diamond Complex at 1642-119th Street. The department billing office is located in City Hall at 1443-119th Street. The Whiting Water Department is committed to providing treated water that is safe to use and consume twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. The Whiting Water Board meets with the Board of Public Works and Safety twice per month on the 1st and 3rd Mondays at noon. To review an overview of the water treatment process, click here.

If you would like to have your monthly Water-Sewage bills automatically withdrawn directly from your checking or savings account, access and complete the Direct Withdrawal Form by clicking here.

Current Schedule of Rates and Charges for Water
per Ordinance CC-2000-1595

Summer Sprinkling Credit
Residential customers receive a reduced wastewater charge during the summer months of June, July and August.  This charge is based on the average of your water usage during the winter months of December, January and February.  You will see the wastewater sprinkling credit on the bills you receive in July, August and September.  For further information contact the Water Department office at 659-6200.

Residential Water Service Lines
Owners are responsible for the installation of the water service line from the building to the water main in the street.  Owners are only responsible for repairs to the outside water line from the building to the shut-off valve (see drawing for an example).  The City of Whiting cannot make a repair on private property.

• The City owns and maintains control of the water meter and water shut-off valve at all times.  The shut-off valve is typically either in the sidewalk or tree lawn.
• The owner is responsible for all repairs to water lines that are larger than 2 inches from the building to the water main in the street.
• In situations where the concrete sidewalk must be removed to repair the water line, the City will repair the sidewalk after the work has been completed at the City’s expense (applicable to 2 inch water lines or smaller only).
• The City of Whiting advises the hiring of a professional contractor who is licensed in the City of Whiting to repair or investigate all water problems.
• A list of licensed contractors can be obtained from the Clerk-Treasurer’s office or by visiting the City’s web site by clicking here.
• If a hired professional contractor incurs problems which indicate liability to the City, please contact the Utilities Director at 659-0407 so a field inspection to verify the problem can be scheduled.

Water Department Rules & Regulations - Click here

2008 Annual Water Quality Report - Click Here

Water Treatment Process Overview
Ozone and chlorine are used to disinfect the water and also to control odor and taste. The water is pretreated in the mixing basin to remove organics and other sediments. Powered activated carbon is fed into the water for removal of man-made and natural organic chemicals. The water then flows to the sedimentation basins where the sediments and organics are settled out. The water is then passed through layers of sand and various sizes of gravel in the filters to remove any remaining particles in the water. After the filtration process, zinc-polyphosphate is added to aid in corrosion control. This chemical coats the inside of the water mains and household plumbing with a thin coating, setting up a barrier between the water and pipes which inhibits the leaching of lead and copper into the water. Fluoride is also added at this point to aid in the prevention of tooth decay. The clean water is then stored in a clear well until it is pumped into the piping of the distribution system.

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