Tipton Municipal Utilities offices will be closed Friday, March 29th, in observance of Good Friday.
About the Water Department
Our East Water Treatment Plant is located at 310 N. East Street. This plant is supplied by seven (7) deep wells located east and north of the treatment plant. The wells pump the raw water to the plant from depths of from 125 to 345 feet. The water comes from the gravel formations or limestone formations deep below the surface. The water is then aerated, filtered and chlorinated before being pumped into the distribution system.
We have 3 clean water storage tanks which hold the water until it is actually used. These consist of a 500,000 gallon ground tank at the plant as well as two 300,000 gallon overhead tanks. This facility can provide a combined flow of more than 2,600 gallons per minute (GPM) or approximately 3.75 million gallons per day (MGD). The East Plant can provide fire protection at a rate of 500,000 gallons in the first hour and can also provide 600,000 gallons per day operating from a 375 KVA Emergency Generator, if necessary. Overhead tank levels and well pumps are monitored by computer with a radio control alarm system for twenty-four (24) hour a day protection.
Our West Water Treatment Plant is located just north of the FCA Plant on County Road 560 West. This Water Plant currently serves the FCA plant and will someday serve the entire local area as development occurs near US 31.
This plant is supplied by 3 wells pulling water from the gravel formations and again aerating, filtering and chlorinating before being pumped into the distribution system. The maximum rated capacity of this plant is 1 million gallons per day. The only storage at this time is a 500,000 gallon ground tank and water pressure is regulated by pumps as opposed to an overhead water tank.
Our Water Department is managed by Water Superintendent Jeff Heard. Superintendent Heard has been a water department employee since 1988 and is in charge of the daily operations at both the East and West Plants. His prime objective is to furnish pure, clean, and safe water to our residential, commercial, and industrial customers at the most economical rates possible. Superintendent Heard has a staff of three (3) licensed plant operators, and (2) licensed distribution attendants. The Water Department employees are continually updating their engineering aptitude as it applies to the license requirements of the Clean Water Act.
Our water customers enjoy some of the lowest water rates in the State of Indiana. Through good management, cooperation of employees, and well-maintained facilities, we will continue to provide Tipton and the surrounding area with a good clean water supply.
Sprinkler Meter Program
TMU offers our customers the option of purchasing a “water sprinkler meter” in order to track the amount of water used for watering gardens, lawns, pool filling, or other large water volume use. The meter is read at the end of the summer and a sewage credit is given to the customer for the amount of water used. This program allows the use of large amounts of water by the homeowner without being charged for sewer service since it is assumed the water did not enter the sewer collection system. The one time cost of the water meter is currently $100.89 and is subject to change without notice. The meter can be used for several years as long as it is properly maintained by the homeowner.
Contact the Utility Business Office to sign up for the program or for more information.
Water Conservation
Outside
- When washing the car, use a bucket. If you need to use a hose, make sure that it has a shut -off nozzle.
- Use your garden hose properly. Sweep driveways, sidewalks and porches instead of spraying them with a hose. Check the hose for leaks at the spigot and at the connection to another hose.
- Only water your lawn once a week. According to experts at Purdue University, one inch of water per week is all your lawn needs to remain healthy.
- Schedule watering in the morning between 4 and 7 A.M. Watering midday results in as much as 30% of water loss due to evaporation.
- When mowing, raise the blade on your lawn mower to three inches high. Taller grass holds water better.
Indoors
- Verify that your home is leak free. Many homes have unknown water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a one-hour period when no water is being used. This reading should be exactly the same, if not, you have a leak!
- Replace or repair leaky faucets.
- Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes. (Food coloring may stain if left in the bowl, therefore, flush when finished.)
- If the toilet-handle frequently sticks in the flush position letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.
- Install a toilet dam or place a brick in the tank to limit the water used when flushing.
- Take shorter showers. Set a timer and limit showers to 5 minutes.
- Replace your showerhead with new flow restrictor heads. Turn water on to get wet; turn off to lather up; then turn back on to rinse off. Repeat when washing your hair.
- Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water and use this to water plants.
- Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded. Set the water to the appropriate level for the size of load you are using.
- Do not keep water running while shaving, facial cleaning, or bushing teeth.
- Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of waiting for the tap water to cool.
- Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Don’t use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods.
- Insulate your water pipes. You’ll get hot water faster and avoid wasting water while it heats up.
- If you have a well, check your pump periodically. If the pump kicks on and off while water is not being used, you have a leak.
- Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Do not use toilet as a trashcan.
Tipton Municipal Utilities
210 S Main Street
Tipton, IN
46072
Hours:
Mon – Fri: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
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