Utilities Department

Consumer Confidence Report 2023

Residential Cross Connection Program, General Information

Under the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, the EGLE institutes rules to protect drinking water and to prevent cross connections that may contaminate public drinking water systems. All communities are required to implement a program for removal of ALL existing cross connections and the prevention of all future cross connections.

WHAT IS A CROSS CONNECTION?

A cross connection is a direct or potential arrangement of drinking water piping that is or can be
connected to a questionable source. An example of a high hazard is the common garden hose
submerged in a swimming pool or an inground irrigation system. Other examples are supply lines
connected to boilers, process equipment, or bottom-fed tanks

WHAT IS BACKFLOW & HOW CAN IT OCCUR?

Back flow is the reversal of normal flow in a system due to back siphonage or back pressure. Back siphonage occurs when a vacuum is induced on a piping system, similar to drinking from a glass with a straw. A garden hose or a hose connected to a laundry tub can act as a “straw” allowing undesirable liquids to be drawn through it by back siphonage.

SOME TYPICAL SITUATIONS THAT CAUSE BACK SIPHONAGE ACTION INCLUDE:

High water flow rates exerted on a water main due to firefighting, hydrant flushing, large system demands or major pipe breaks.
Booster pumps taking direct suction from potable water supply piping.

Whenever the drinking water supply system is directly connected to another piping system or process that operates at a higher system pressure, backpressure backflow can occur.

In-Ground Irrigation and Lawn Sprinkler Systems: Automatic irrigation systems pose a significant threat to the drinking water system. By their nature, sprinkler heads may reside in a pool of yard/animal waste, pesticides and/or fertilizers. And because the supply lines are under constant pressure and flow, and controlled by underground control valves, a typical vacuum breaker is not an appropriate form of protections. These items require backflow prevention assemblies.

Hose Bibb and Garden Hose Usage: Because of their portability and universal ease of connection, general purpose/garden hoses pose one of the greatest risks for backflow occurrences. In addition, there is a general complacency (underestimation of hazard level) with what hoses are connected to or with what they are left submerged in.

In residential applications, the normal way to protect the drinking water system for the hose, and its uses, is to outfit the hose bibb (spigot/valve) with a vacuum breaker. Every hose bibb, regardless of age or usage, must be outfitted with a vacuum breaker. Vacuum breakers are considered non-testable and may be installed or replaced by a homeowner.

Water & Sewer Infrastructure

The Village of Suttons Bay has one of the areas most efficient and well-maintained water and sewer systems, which is maintained by the Utilities Department.

Residents with issues in water meters, water mains or other water/sewer system problems can contact the Utilities Department for service.

The Utilities Department is also responsible for ensuring the quality of the Village of Suttons Bay water, and conducts weekly, monthly, and annual samples to test lead, copper, arsenic and other requirements of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

David Miller: Director of Facilities

David Miller is our Director of Facilities. David holds a water distribution license, storm water license and wastewater license. You may reach the Director at 231.271.1032.

Have a Question?

Are you experiencing an issue with your water line? Are you building a new home and need to know how to get sewer and water services provided? Contact the Utilities Department at 231.271.1032 or the emergency number at 231.866.0151.

Here is the link to pay your sewer/water bill.

Home Maintenance Ideas
• Periodically inspect the flush valve and overflow valve in all the toilets. A test is done by placing a few drops of food coloring into the tank and waiting approximately 25 minutes, without flushing the toilet. If you see the food coloring seep into the bowl, a toilet leak is confirmed. Sometimes a “shimmer” on the surface of the toilet bowl water will be evident and is another way to confirm that there is a leak.

The flush valve or “flapper” located in the bottom of the toilet tank will eventually wear out and require replacement. Upon replacing the flapper, be sure to have it properly seat against the contact at the bottom of the tank.

Check the overflow valve for the correct water level in the tank by removing the tank lid and verifying that the water level is approximately one inch below the overflow valve. Always make sure that the water in the tank is not running into the overflow tube. Normally, the arm of the ball float can be adjusted in order to bring the water level to the desired height. Check the positioning of the refill tube in relation to the overflow tube to ensure that there is no siphoning effect when the tank is refilling.

• During remodeling or toilet replacement consider the use of 1.8-gallon low flow toilets, which use approximately half the water per flush compared to the conventional types.

• Install aerators on water faucets and showerheads.

• Purchase water efficient washing machines and dishwashers and operate with only full loads.

• Routinely inspect water back-up sump pumps and repair dripping faucets.

• Inspect the furnace humidifier overflow valve for excessive water flow (if equipped).

Tips for Efficient Lawn and Landscape Irrigation

• To minimize evaporation, water lawns between 11:00pm and 5:00am during the hottest summer months. Utilize sprinkler rain shutoff devices to avoid unnecessary watering.

• Review sprinkler manufacturer specifications for gallons per minute usage in order to establish irrigation guidelines within your household budget for water consumption.

• Irrigate lawns for a maximum of 20 minutes per zone every other day during drought periods and much less for landscape beds. Frequent over watering can actually be detrimental to your lawn and landscapes.

• Be observant for breaks in underground lines or sprinkler heads that may contribute to a system leak.

• Mow your grass at a height of approximately three inches or higher and use a mulching blade so that the clippings act as a natural fertilizer and also hold in moisture.

• Use a larger part of your yard for landscape beds as opposed to lawn area. Landscape beds require far less irrigation than lawns.

• Use plenty of mulch in your landscape beds to hold in moisture and plant deep-rooted flowers and shrubs that are more drought resistant.

OTHER TIPS:

Economize!
Look at your water habits developed over a lifetime. Typically, inside your house, bathroom facilities constitute nearly 75% of the water used. Become conscious of the amount of water you use, and look for ways to use less whenever you can.
Stop Leaks!
If you think you have a leak, contact the water Department. The water department offers free leak detection in an effort to conserve and save our residents money!
Install Water Saving Devices
There are many devices you can buy and install fairly easily to reduce your water consumption. These include faucet aerators; flow regulators for shower heads; and displacement devices for toilets to reduce water consumption. Investing a little money, time and labor can have big paybacks to reduce water use.
Reuse Water
Unused or slightly used water is often suitable for other purposes, even with no treatment or filtration. When maximum conservation is called for, make the most of any water before you let it go down the drain!
Water Waste:
Although it does not seem like dripping water is a huge waste of money, it is a waste of water which is a vital resource. According to the USGS, if one faucet drips at a rate of 60 drips per minute, after one year, it is the equivalent of taking 41 baths per year. If 10 homes in your community each have one faucet leaking 60 drips per minute without being fixed for one year, it is the equivalent of about 416 baths.