Water & Utilities

Water DepartmentSanitary 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 City of Whiting began purchasing potable water from the City of Hammond in June 2010 when we shut down our filtration plant. The department billing office is located in City Hall at 1443-119th Street. The Whiting Water Board meets with the Board of Public Works and Safety twice per month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 9:00AM.

If you would like to have your monthly Water-Sewage bills automatically withdrawn directly from your checking or savings account, download and complete the Direct Withdrawal Form by clicking here.

Current Schedule of Rates and Charges for Water in 2021

Per Ordinance CC-2021-2041

  • First 999,999 gallons – $3.56 Per 1000 gallons
  • Over 1,000,000 gallons – $1.75 Per 1000 gallons

2021 Minimum Monthly Water Charges in Accordance with Size of Meter

Meter Size (inches)
• 5/8
• 3/4
• 1
• 1 1/2
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 6
• 8
Minimum Gallons Allowed
3,000
Monthly Minimum Charge
$10.68
$17.61
$37.35
$53.60
$74.03
$141.07
$225.65
$329.53
$622.48

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 219-659-6200.

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.

Water Diagram

  • 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 Staff

Paul Tumo
Utilities Director
PTumo@whitingindiana.com
Monica Rokicki
Water Clerk
MoRokicki@whitingindiana.com
Carol Stelow
Clerk’s Office
CStelow@whitingindiana.com

Contact Information
Billing Office:
219-659-6200
219-473-4452 (fax)
1443-119th Street
Whiting, IN 46394
WhitingWater@whitingindiana.com

Water Department Rules & Regulations

CLICK HERE to download and view Water Department Rules & Regulations

Annual Water Quality Report

CLICK HERE to download and view the most current Water Quality Report

The Sanitary Basin handles all of the wastewater and storm water for the City of Whiting. Since the City of Whiting does not operate a wastewater treatment facility, the water is pumped to the City of Hammond for treatment. Whiting’s Sanitary Basin has a 30 million gallon holding basin, which allows it to store water during periods of heavy rainfall. The Basin operation is manned 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. The Sanitary Basin operation falls under the jurisdiction of the Whiting Board of Sanitary Commissioners who meet each month on the 1st Tuesday at 5:00 PM in City Hall.

Basin 1
Basin 2
Basin Aerator

Current Schedule of Rates and Charges for Sewer Users in 2021

  • Residential – $4.70 Per 1000 gallons
  • Industrial – $4.25 Per 1000 gallons

2021 Minimum Monthly Sewer Charges in Accordance with Size of Meter

Meter Size (inches)
• 5/8
• 3/4
• 1
• 1 1/2
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 6
• 8
Monthly Minumum Charge
$14.10
$17.89
$28.61
$40.59
$71.48
$166.81
$286.04
$643.08
$1,214.74

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.

Sewer Service Line Responsibilities

The sewer lines that serve your home or business have defined levels of responsibility.  In short, the property owner maintains a portion of the lines and the City maintains a portion.  Each year, the City of Whiting will distribute a brochure outlining these responsibilities to each customer and the brochures are also available at the Cashier’s Office in Whiting City Hall.  To review a short description of a homeowner’s responsibilities, click here.

Residential Sewer Service Lines

Owners are responsible for the installation and cleaning of the sewer service line from the building to the sewer main in the street.  Owners are only responsible for repairs to the outside sewer line from the building to the property line (see drawing for an example).  The City of Whiting cannot make a repair on private property.

Sewer Diagram

  • The property line is typically the building edge of the sidewalk, but in some cases this may not always be true.
  • In situations where the concrete sidewalk must be removed to repair the sewer line, the City will repair the sidewalk after the work has been completed at the City’s expense.
  • The City of Whiting advises the hiring of a professional contractor who is licensed in the City of Whiting to repair or investigate all sewer 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,  the plumber will be required to complete a certification form before the City can consider a reimbursement to the property owner.  The property owner will also need to file a Notice of Claim before a reimbursement can be processed.  It is also recommended that the property owner contact the City Utilities Director at 659-0407 so a field inspection to verify the problem can be scheduled.

Staff

  • Paul Tumo, Utilities Director
  • 5 Plant Operators
Contact Information
1500 Central Avenue
Whiting, Indiana 46394
219-659-2725
219-659-0407
219-659-1870 (Fax)
PTumo@whitingindiana.com

Forms

Plumber Certification Form for Sewer Line Reimbursement – Click Here to Download.

Sewer Service Line Reimbursement Notice of Claim Form – Click Here to Download.

Additional Information

  • The City of Whiting does not provide sewer rodding services and these services are the responsibility of the homeowner.
  • Please report all plugged or blocked catch basins (street drains) to the Street Department at 659-1219.
  • If you experience a sewer problem during heavy rainfall, please contact the Sanitary Basin at 659-2725 ASAP.