How do I begin new service?
New Owner
If you recently purchased an existing home you will need contact our office at least 24 hours prior to taking occupancy in order to avoid any disruption in service. Please complete the “New Owner Packet” located under the “Forms” section and return to our office within 30 days.
New Construction – Residential
If you are building a new home please complete and return the “Water Availability Application – Residential” located under the “Forms” section. Our Distribution department will review and contact you with the cost once it is determined water is available. Upon contact you will need to complete the “New Tap Packet- Residential”.
New Construction – Commercial
If you are building a new commercial business please complete and return the “Water Availability Application – Commercial” located under the “Forms” section. Our Distribution department will review and contact you with the cost once it is determined water is available. Upon contact you will need to complete the “New Tap Packet- Commercial”.
How do I discontinue service?
Selling the Property
Please contact our office within 24 hours prior to the new owner’s taking occupancy and provide a forwarding address in order to receive your final bill.
New Tenant
The owner must contact our office within 24 hours prior to a new tenant taking occupancy. If the owner has a forwarding address for the departing tenant, please provide to the office in order for the final bill to be mailed.
Bankruptcy/Foreclosure
You must provide proof provided by the bank stating you are no longer responsible for the utilities for the property.
What is an “Inspect and Install” (I&I), and when does it need to be scheduled?
New Construction
Once the vault has been set and you are ready for water you will need to contact our office for an I&I. We do require 24 hours notice for scheduling and a 2 hour window will be given of when the Distribution staff will be on site. Someone must be present during the inspection. The staff will review for a gate valve, dual check valve, pressure reducing valve, and an expansion tank during the inspection. Please ensure all valves are easily accessible. Failed inspections will require an additional service fee upon the second inspection request.
No Meter/Service within the past 60 days
If an account has been without service and the meter has not been installed within the past 60 days, in order for service to be restored, an I&I must be scheduled. We do require 24 hours notice for scheduling and a 2 hour window will be given of when the Distribution staff will be on site. Someone must be present during the inspection. The staff will review for a gate valve, dual check valve, pressure reducing valve, and an expansion tank during the inspection. Please ensure all valves are easily accessible. Failed inspections will require an additional service fee upon the second inspection request.
What is the Minimum Fee?
The bi-monthly fee is used to assist in recovering the cost of system maintenance, reading meters, and servicing accounts.
What is a Membership Fee?
A one-time non-refundable charge to become a member of the water association which entitles you to the rights and privileges associated with the same. The membership fee is applied to each account upon receiving the first bill as a new owner.
What is the Account Activation Fee?
A one-time non-refundable charge associated with the establishment of a new account when an existing account has been finaled due to new ownership or a change in tenant. The account activation fee is applied to each account upon receiving the first bill as s new owner/tenant.
How do I set up my tenant?
Tenant Waiver Form
The “Tenant Waiver” form will allow your tenant to receive the bi-monthly bills in his/her name. The owner will still receive a copy of any delinquent notices. Each time a tenant changes, the owner will need to contact us for a final reading for the outgoing tenant and complete a new Tenant Waiver for the incoming tenant or temporarily place in his/her name. Each time a new account is generated an account activation fee will be accessed to the new account. The Tenant Waiver form does not relieve the owner of the responsibility to pay any outstanding bills left by the tenant.
One Time Waiver of Account Activation Fee
The “One Time Waiver of Account Activation Fee” form will allow your tenant to receive the bi-monthly bills in care of his/her name. The owner will still receive a copy of any delinquent notices. Each time a tenant changes, the owner will need to contact us and change the in C/O name or update the mailing address for bills. A final bill will not be generated for the changing of tenants. We would recommend taking an average daily consumption and calculating the final amount due based on the number of days the tenant was at the property during the bill cycle. The One Time Waiver of Account Activation Fee form does not relieve the owner of the responsibility to pay any outstanding bills left by the tenant.
Note: All owners will receive the Account Activation Fee on the initial setup of the account upon purchase.
What methods can I use to pay my water bill?
We accept the following payment methods: cash, checks, money orders, credit cards, and ACH electronic payments. Payments can be made in person, mailed, online, over the phone or placed in the night deposit box for your convenience. Please no cash payments in the night deposit box. All payments are processed the day they are received during business hours, payments received after business hours will be considered next business day.
Why did I receive a penalty and delinquent notice?
If payment is not received by the due date a 10% penalty will be assessed on the current balance and a delinquent notice will be generated the day after the due date. If the payment was mailed in and has a postmark date of the due date or prior the payment will be considered on time and the penalty will be waived. However, when this occurs you may still receive a delinquent notice. Failure to receive a bill that was mailed to the current mailing address on file does not waive the obligation to pay by the due date.
Why was my water service shutoff?
If payment is not received by the end of the business on the 25th of the month the bill was due the account is subject to disconnection and a delinquency processing fee will be assessed to the account. In order for service to be restored, the full balance, including the delinquency processing fee must be paid.
What happens if Tate Monroe receives a returned check?
Once we receive notification of a returned check from our bank, we will reverse the payment and the full balance will be due, including the returned check fee that is assessed to the account. If Tate Monroe receives 2 or more returned checks within a 5 year period, we will no longer accept checks as a form of payment.
How can I get an extension/payment plan for my bill?
All customers requesting an extensions/payment plan must complete the “Extension/Payment Plan Request” form no later than 3 business days before the due date.
I had a leak on my property; can Tate Monroe offer any assistance with the bill?
Customers can request a leak adjustment by completing the “Request a Leak Adjustment” form. Forms must be completed with the proper documentation and received by the office 3 business days prior to the bill due date. If received after the due date, bills are still subject to penalty and/or disconnection for non-payment.
Why would I have an estimated read and how do you determine the read?
Tate Monroe makes an effort to obtain an actual read for all meters during the billing process. However, due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather and equipment failure there may be times when an estimated read is generated. The estimated read will be determined by using the amount of consumption that occurred on the account the same time one year ago.
Why is my water discolored?
Brown Water
Water may occasionally become discolored due to water main breaks, fires, line flushing, or changes in flow patterns. These problems usually show up in your home as brown-colored water from the faucets.
The water is safe to drink and 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.
Cloudy Water
You may 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.
Why does my water smell or taste like chlorine?
Our 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, chlorine is added during the treatment process. 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.
Why does my water have a moldy, earthy taste or odor?
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.
How often is the water tested?
Daily Tests include: Free Chlorine, Combined Chlorine, Fluoride, pH, and Hardness.
Weekly Tests include: Iron, Manganese, Stability (pH and alkalinity), and for microbiological contaminants.
Quarterly Tests include: 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 on an annual basis and at various other times as required by the 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).
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”hard” water to”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.
Should I buy a water softener?
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 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.
Where does Tate Monroe get its water?
Tate Monroe Water withdraws groundwater from production wells located next to the Ohio River.
Who makes the Rules and Regulations for Tate Monroe Water Assn., Inc.?
Tate Monroe is governed by a Board of Trustees, which consists of a 9 members.