WATER AND WASTEWATER

Water Distribution
The Water Distribution division maintains and repairs 80.4 miles of main lines and approximately 800 fire hydrants and provides the maintenance on all water valves that supply the flow of potable water. The division reads and maintains 4,600 water meters, provides the utility billing division with monthly billing information, and provides the citizens of Murphy with the best service possible.
 
Water Meter Reading
Meters are read in three cycles by the City's meter readers. The city utilizes hand held computers to enter the readings from the customer's meter. Each meter has a history that is continually updated when the meters are read. This history is not available to the meter reader, so he or she cannot estimate the reading. If the reading entry is higher than the history shows an alarm sounds and the reader must read the meter again to ensure the correct amount is entered. A customer service technician is dispatched to verify readings when the utility billing division notes unusually high usage.

Fire Hydrant Flushing
This division flushes fire hydrants throughout the entire distribution system on a monthly basis. This is done in an effort to dislodge any sediment that may be in the lines. Flushing is also done throughout the year for taste and odor complaints to remove air from the system after leaks, and before a newly installed main is put into service. Monthly flushing is done when water usage is at a minimum.

Wastewater
The Public Works is responsible for the collection of all wastewater and its transmission to the wastewater treatment plants. This service includes the operation, maintenance, and repair of all sewer mains, manholes, and lift stations connected to the wastewater collection system.

Don’t Pour Your Grease!
Did you know when you pour your cooking grease down the drain it collects in the sewer system forming a solid “grease log”? This “grease log” obstructs the sewer lines, which can cause the sewer to back up into homes and places of business.

Leave the Manholes Covered!
Manholes are covered and bolted for the protection of our sewer system and our citizens. Please do NOT tamper with or remove manhole covers. Removing a manhole cover can be a deadly mistake! Manholes can contain poisonous gases that can lead to serious illness or even death!

Check Your Clean-Outs
Clean-outs for your home service lines are located near the front of your home and look like two white pipes sticking up out of the ground. If you need to call a plumber for possible sewer problems, please make sure your clean-outs are visible and accessible.

Sewer On-Call
Did you know that the Public Works Department has an employee on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year? If it’s an emergency after regular business hours please call 972-965-6200 and they will dispatch the on-call Sewer employee.