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1. How do I apply for a new service?
2. How do I have a service transferred from my name to the new owner's name?
3. What do I need to do for temporary service?
4. What valves are required?
5. Why is my water discolored?
6. Why does my water smell or taste like chlorine?
7. Why does my water have a moldy or earthy taste or odor?
8. How do I check for a leak?
9. How are meters read?
10. What are the directions to your office?
11. How often is the water tested?
12. How hard is the water?
13. What treatment process is used to treat the water?
14. What methods can I use to pay my water bill?
15. Why was my water service shutoff?
16. Should I buy a water softener?
17. From where does Tate Monroe get its water?

If you have a question not found here or need further clarification, please contact us via one of the methods on the Main Page.

1. How do I apply for a new service? top

1. Apply for water availability by filling out the water availability and cross connection questionnaire.
2. The Clermont County Board of Health may require a site plan to be marked for existing water main by Tate Monroe Water Assn., Inc. personnel. The Owner is responsible for supplying Tate Monroe Water Assn., Inc. with a copy of the site plan.
3. Provide proof of ownership - such as deed.
4. Stop by the office to fill out the required forms. This takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. (All persons that are listed on the deed must be present to sign paperwork.)
5. Purchase water tap if water is declared available.
6. Check to make sure of approved materials and practices:
   - copper or plastic tubing
   - main shutoff valve
   - ASSE #1024 backflow device
   - pressure reducing valve
   - install expansion tank on cold water line near water heater
           (Click here for more information on connection requirements.)
7. TMWA will send out an inspector to make sure the required backflow device, reducing valve, shutoff valve, and expansion tank are installed. (These must be in an area easily accessible for maintenance. Personnel are not permitted to go into crawl spaces.)

2. How do I have a service transferred from my name to a new owner's name? top

Please contact the office when your home is sold and inform the buyer that it is necessary to sign a water user's agreement before the water can be billed in their name.

A convenient time to secure the agreement for the new owner would be when you, as the seller, set up the "cut off or final read" date. By coordinating this transfer, the disconnection fee of $35.00 will be avoided by the new owner.

Buyers - No person should purchase a property until they obtain certification that all water billing has been paid prior to the "cut off or final read" date, unless they decide to pay such bills themselves.

3. What do I need to do for temporary service? top

1. Apply for new service. Refer to question number 1
2. Once the vault is installed you may receive temporary service provided that a backflow preventer and shutoff valve connected to a frost free hydrant.
3. You can receive temporary service for up to 30 days. Beyond this please call the office for an extension.

4. What valves are required? top

Review the following document - Connection to Public Water

5. Why is my water discolored? top

Some common complaints in the water industry are discolored water and cloudiness in the water. Water may occasionally become discolored due to water main breaks, fires that use a high volume of water, line flushing, or changes in flow patterns. These problems usually show up in your home as brown-colored water from the faucets.

Do not be alarmed. Though aesthetically displeasing, this water is safe to drink. It merely contains sediment due to sudden changes in pressure and volume in the system. If there is discolored water refrain from washing clothes as this may cause staining. If you have washed clothes not knowing discoloration has occurred, do not dry your clothes. Please call the office and we can supply you with a chemical to rewash the clothes to take the stain out.

You may also notice from time to time that your water appears cloudy. This is usually air in the water. When this occurs, use a clear glass to draw a sample and let it sit on your counter for five to ten minutes. If the cloudiness goes away, it is air in the water.

When any problem occurs, contact Tate Monroe Water so it can be investigated.

6. Why does my water smell or taste like chlorine? top

Tate Monroe Water's primary water quality goal is to protect public health and safety. In order to ensure your water is protected from harmful bacteria and other microorganisms, Tate Monroe Water adds an effective level of disinfectant, chlorine, during the treatment process and just before the water is sent through the distribution system.

Chlorine Smell
If tap water has a chlorine smell, but taste is not evident, it is possible that the water needs more chlorine. The chlorine residual has three parts: combined, free, and total. When the chlorine demand has been satisfied the combined residual increases and combines with other organic compounds or ammonia in the water to form chlororganics and chloramines. These compounds can cause the taste and odor problems. Adding more chlorine takes the treated water beyond this point to provide a free available chlorine residual .

Chlorine Smell and Taste
If tap water has a taste and smell of chlorine it usually means there is a high chlorine residual in the water. This would be more likely to occur near the water treatment facility. The more likely of the two to occur in the Tate Monroe Water system would be the former instance of not enough chlorine.

7. Why does my water have a moldy or earthy taste or odor? top

Earthy/musty taste and odors that can occur in drinking water can be related to several factors. There are two common causes of a musty, moldy, or earthy taste or odor in the water: bacteria growing in your drain, or certain types or organisms growing in the water supply.

Over time organic matter (such as soap, food waste, and hair) can accumulate on the walls of the drain. Bacteria can grow and multiply on these organic deposits producing gases that can smell musty or moldy. These gases can accumulate in the drain until the water is turned on. As the water runs down the drain, gases are expelled into the air around the sink. It is natural to assume the bad odor is coming from the water because the smell is noticable only when the water is on. The drain may need to be disinfected. This is the most common cause of this problem

The other cause is much less common, especially in ground water systems like Tate Monroe Water Assn., Inc. This results from certain types of algae, fungi, and bacteria growing in the water supply as in a surface water facility's water supply reservoir. As these organisms grow and multiply, they excrete small amounts of harmless chemicals into the water that cause a musty, moldy, or earthy taste and odor. The two most common chemicals are geosmin and methylisoborneal (MIB). Although these chemicals are harmless, the human senses of taste and smell are extremely sensitive to them and can detect them in the water at concentrations as low as 5 parts per trillion.

Similar "stale" taste and odors may also occur in distribution lines related to low flow situations. Tate Monroe Water has an ongoing flushing program that flushes out these low flow areas which are usually at dead end mains. Also, anytime plumbing has not been used for a long time, the water can develop an unpleasant taste, so faucets should be run for a short time to bring in fresh water. There are no adverse health effects associated with earthy/musty taste and odor substances.

8. How do I check for a leak? top

1. Shut off the main valve in your house.
2. Go to the meter vault to see if the small indicator clock or triangle is turning.
3. If it is turning, you have a leak between the meter and your residence.
4. If it is not turning, you do not have a leak between the meter and your residence.
5. Turn on the main valve inside your residence. If the indicator clock or triangle is turning then you have a leak somewhere inside your home. Check faucets, toilet bowl, etc.

9. How are meters read? top

All meters have been converted to radio read. This means you will not see a meter reader at your site. The meter is read by a computer in a passing truck. Automated Meter Reading (AMR) allows the Association to maintain a smaller staff in the field and with the time gained, to accomplish other goals.

10. What are the directions to your office? top

Please click on the following link - Directions

11. How often is the water tested? top

Tate Monroe Water tests daily for free chlorine,combined chlorine, fluoride, pH, and hardness.

Weekly tests include iron , manganese, stability (pH and alkalinity), and for microbiological contaminants.

We test quarterly for total trihalomethanes (TTHM's), iron, manganese, and inorganics on each well, total organic carbons (TOC's) and microbiological contaminants, (Treatment Plant and Wellfield), and haloacetic acids (HAA5's).

Nitrates are tested for on an annual basis and at various other times as required by Ohio EPA we test for bromate , chlorine dioxide, chlorite, arsenic, asbestos, inorganics, nitrite, radiological, volatile organic chemicals (VOC'S), lead, copper, synthetic organic chemicals (SOC's), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and NH3 (ammonia).

12. How hard is the water? top

What is "Hard" Water?
Mainly non-toxic calcium and magnesium minerals that are naturally present in rocks and soils cause hardness in water. The other minerals that can cause hardness are not usually present in large enough concentrations to contribute significantly to the total hardness. Adding the calcium hardness to the magnesium hardness gives the total hardness of the water. These dissolved minerals can cause difficulty in doing laundry and dishwashing, cause water spots, and the build-up of scale on faucets and within water heaters. Water softeners typically replace these non-toxic hardness materials with sodium or potassium. The amounts of sodium or potassium are relatively insignificant unless your doctor has put you on a special restricted diet.

Water hardness is measured as milligrams per liter of calcium carbonate (mg/L of CaCO3) - sometimes called parts per million (ppm). An older term still used by some companies or salespeople is grains per gallon (gpg). 1 gpg = 17.12mg/L. TMWA's groundwater source averages approximately 200 mg/L of CaCO3. When water is softened at a water treatment facility the results are usually between 75mg/L and 150mg/L. TMWA averages 120mg/L or 7gpg. This is going from a "hard" water to a "moderately hard" water.

Typical Degrees of Hardness:

Common Description	Hardness mg/L *	Hardness mg/L †
Soft	0-75	0-60
Moderately Hard	75-150	61-120
Hard	150-300	121-180
Very Hard	over 300	over 180

Source: Adapted from Sawyer 1960 *
and Briggs and Ficke 1977 †

According to one source, water that is most satisfactory for households contains about 75 to 100mg/L. Also, very soft water (near zero hardness) is not desirable. It can leave a soap scum feeling on the skin and is very corrosive to the water system and plumbing fixtures, which will shorten their surface life.

13. What treatment process is used to treat the water? top

1. Ground water is pumped from the wellfield.
2. Water then is aerated to oxidize soluble iron and manganese to an insoluble state.
3. Further oxidation of iron and manganese takes place with the addition of potassium permanganate within the retention basins.
4. The water is then filtered to remove the iron and manganese.
5. A portion of the water is then softened and blended with the unsoftened water to obtain an approximate hardness of 120 mg/L CaCo3 (calcium carbonate). See question #11.
6. The pH is then adjusted to approximately 7.9, fluoride is added for a 1 mg/L concentration, and then chlorine is finally added for disinfection.

14. What methods can I use to pay my water bill? top

Tate Monroe Water accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Credit cards are also accepted in person at the office. Payments can be made in person at the office, placed in the drop off box, or mailed to our post office box. See the main page for location and mailing address.

15. Why was my water service shutoff? top

Payments are due bi-monthly. One necessary item of business that no one at TMWA likes to do is to lock a meter for non-payment or incomplete paperwork. This occurs after a customer has a balance of 30 days or more. The red notice that many customers receive is not indicative of our delinquency rate; however, we are required to give due notice prior to any potential stoppage of service.

A courtesy, automated telephone call is made for delinquent accounts provided that the correct phone number is in the database (Verification of the correct phone number is the customer's responsibility). Customers should not rely on receiving a phone call to keep their account current. Service will be disconnected after the 25th of each month on the past due amount. To avoid disconnection, please pay promptly.

Please be sure that you pay prior to the date indicated on the red notice. Once TMWA distribution personnel are at the location to lock a service, the delinquent amount plus the current reconnect fee will be required to restore service. Avoid the reconnect fee by paying on time. Payment must be received during office hours before 4:00 PM. Payments received after 4:00 PM will be unlocked the next business day.

Returned check for account payments will result in loss of water service. The Association will adhere strictly to its policy regarding accounts paid with checks that are returned. We will no longer notify any customer that their check has been returned since the bank on which the check was written does that prior to notifying the Association. We will automatically terminate service if the check is not redeemed within 24 hours after we receive notice of return. See lockup policy.

NOTE: The customer will be billed for any damage to the lock or vault setting appurtenances plus an unauthorized use charge.

UNAUTHORIZED USE
Tampering with or bypassing a meter constitutes a theft offense that could result in the imposition of criminal sanctions. Section 4933.18(A) of the Ohio Revised Code states "In a prosecution for a theft offense…that involves alleged tampering with a gas, electric, steam, or water meter, conduit, or attachment of a utility that has been disconnected by the utility, proof that a meter, conduit, or attachment of a utility has been tampered with is prima-facie evidence that the person who is obligated to pay for the service rendered through the meter, conduit, or attachment and is in possession or control of the meter, conduit, or attachment at the time the tampering occurred has caused the tampering with intent to commit a theft offense."

16. Should I buy a water softener? top

According to one source, water that is most satisfactory for households contains about 75 to 100mg/L. Also, very soft water (near zero hardness) is not desirable. It can leave a soap scum feeling on the skin snd it is very corrosive to the water system and plumbing fixtures, which will shorten their surface life.

The need to soften water to a greater degree than which TMWA softens would be based on the consumer's preference. Since TMWA's water is 120mg/L of hardness, a water softener is not considered necessary. However, the degree of hardness a person tolerates is a matter of personal preference. A general rule of thumb is if your water hardness is more than 120mg/L you might consider a water softener to reduce the formation of scale in your hot water system and make washing easier.

Refer to question 11 for how water hardness is measured.

17. From where does Tate Monroe get its water? top

Tate Monroe Water withdraws groundwater from 11 production wells located next to the Ohio River.