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GENERAL QUESTIONS
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Q: Is the Henderson Water Utility part of the Henderson City Government?
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A: The Henderson Water Utility is owned by the City of Henderson, a
second class city in Kentucky. By City Ordinance the Utility is managed by the
Henderson Water and Sewer Commission which is appointed by the Mayor and
ratified by the City Commission. The Mayor, City Manager, and City Commission
have no management authority over the Utility except through the appointment of
the Water and Sewer Commission members, the authorizing of debt to be incurred
by the Utility, the adoption of new facilities into the City system and the
setting of the rates charged by the Utility. The budget of the Utility is
adopted as part of the City of Henderson budget. The Utility can only sue or be
sued through the City Commission. The Water and Sewer Commission is authorized
to employ a General Manager to assist in the management of the Utility.
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Q: Why does the City of Henderson appoint a Commission to manage the
Henderson Water Utility rather than manage it as a part of City government, like
the Gas Department?
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A: The original Water and Sewer Commission was appointed in the 1950's.
This was done to establish favor with the companies that provided the bonds to
finance improvements to the system. In essence, the bonding companies wanted the
"politics" taken out of the local utilities to insure there was a stable
financial base to repay the principal and interest on the bonds. Many such
Commissions were established in Kentucky during this time period. The practical
significance of remaining with this form of management is the Utility is
financially self sufficient and receives no tax revenue for its operation. All
revenues of the Utility come from user fees. In essence, the Utility is operated
like a business and is somewhat separated from the politics of City Government,
especially as it relates to financial matters.
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Q: What is the "South System"?
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A: The "South System" is comprised of a 4.0 million-gallon per day water
treatment facility and a 4.0 million-gallon per day wastewater treatment
facility located in southern Henderson County just north of Sebree, Kentucky.
These facilities provide water supply and wastewater treatment services to
industries in that area, primarily Tyson Foods and West Kentucky Energy. The
facilities also wholesale potable water to the Henderson County Water District,
Sebree, Kentucky and Beech Grove, Kentucky. Wholesale wastewater services are
provided to Sebree. Potable water and wastewater services will be provided to
the 4 Star Industrial Park by the "South System".
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Q: What is the significance of the elements of the logo?
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A: The three water drops represent the 3 primary focuses of the Henderson
Water Utility - potable water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection
and treatment, and stormwater. The faucet is a representation of the working
faucet which sits in front of our Administration Building and has become a sort
of landmark for local residents and for the tours given to visitors from
Riverboats which dock at the Henderson Riverfront.
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Q: What is a Boil Water Advisory and how would I know if it affects me?
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A: A Boil Water Advisory is a notice that there is the potential for
contamination of the drinking water due to the loss of pressure or the exposure
of a service line or lines. Normally, this only affects a small area of the
city, so we notify our customers by going door to door. If no one is home we
leave a door tag instructing them to boil their water for 3 minutes before using
it for cooking or drinking. They will again be notified by door tag when the
advisory is lifted. The advisory is lifted after sampling of the water confirms
that there is no contamination present. In the event that the advisory affects
the entire City of Henderson, all local media would be notified.
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Q: Why do I get a petroleum smell when running water in my house?
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A: The petroleum smell usually is due to a reaction involving chlorine
dioxide which is a disinfectant used in the water treatment process. When the
water treated with chlorine dioxide passes through the aerator (or strainer) of
a home faucet some chlorine dioxide escapes into the air as a gas. Once the
chemical is a free floating gas it reacts with the solvents in new carpets and
causes a smell that is similar to that of petroleum. In most cases the smell
does not go away for several months until the carpet ages and the carpet solvent
dissipates.
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Q: What causes a musty smell in tap water?
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A: A musty smell sometimes occurs during the summer months when there is
lack of rain and the flow in the river is low resulting in harmless algae
blooms. When the algae are destroyed during the water treatment process,
compounds called geosmin and MIB are released, producing the odor. The odor
usually subsides after a good rain because the amount of algae in the river is
reduced. We have instituted treatment procedures to prevent the musty smell,
even if the river stays low for extended periods of time. If you detect an odor
to the water please call. We may be able to adjust the treatment process to
correct the odor.
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Q: Can I have a temporary water meter set on a fire hydrant to have my
swimming pool filled?
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A: Yes. You can contact the System Operations Center and they will instruct
you in filling out the appropriate paperwork. There is a fee for setting the
meter and daily rental of the meter and water consumption charges
will also apply. The advantage to having your pool filled using a fire hydrant
is that it fills within hours as opposed to days using your garden hose. Note:
Henderson Water Utility (HWU) does not provide the hoses for the hydrant.
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Q: If I have a problem with my water, wastewater, or stormwater should I
go to the top by contacting the Mayor, City Manager, or a City Commissioner?
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A: As indicated in a previous question, none of these individuals are
directly involved in the operation of the Henderson Water Utility. Contacting
them to get a problem solved only adds the involvement of another person which
sometimes complicates rather than facilitates the solution of a problem. If
there is a problem related to the following areas you should contact the
following individuals:
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Odors near either of the Wastewater
Treatment Plants or other problems related to the plants - Treatment
Superintendent (827-9588).
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Drinking water quality or other problems
related to water treatment or the water treatment plants - Treatment
Superintendent (826-2421).
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Odors in the collection system,
overflowing manholes, problems related to water and sewer taps, water leaks,
problems related to pump stations located in the neighborhoods, stormwater
drainage problems, or other unlisted problems - System Operations Dispatch
(826-2824).
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If the dispatcher and the crews that are
dispatched can not solve the problems to your satisfaction, then you may call
the System Operations Superintendent (826-2824).
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If all else fails, then you may call the
Administrative Assistant or the General Manager at the Administrative Office
(826-2421).
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Q: What provisions has the Utility made for problems that occur after
regular working hours?
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A: Problem calls during regular working hours should be made to the System
Operations Center (826-2824). After regular working hours these calls are
automatically forwarded to the Water Treatment Plant that is staffed 24 hours a
day and 7 days each week. There are two employees on call each day after working
hours. Based on the nature of the call, the water treatment plant operator will
dispatch one or more of the individuals to respond.
Generally a response should be received within 30 minutes. If the problem
warrants, additional employees may be called in to address the problem.
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Q: What is the difference between the Henderson Water Utility and the
Henderson County Water District?
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A: Henderson Water Utility provides drinking water, wastewater and
stormwater services to the residents, businesses, and industries within the
limits of the City of Henderson, fringe areas just outside the city limits, and
the areas of Sebree, Kentucky in Webster County and Beech Grove, Kentucky in
McLean County. The Henderson Water Utility produces all the potable water
consumed in Henderson County. It wholesales treated water to the Henderson
County Water District who distributes and resells the water to the remainder of
Henderson County and a small portion of Webster County.
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Q: Who do I call if I have no water?
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A: Call the System Operations Center at (270) 826-2824 and a crew will be
dispatched to your address to further investigate the problem. You will be
notified with a door tag or a phone call to inform you of action taken and when
you can expect to have water.
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| This page was last updated on
03/19/2007 |
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Contact Us With A General Question or Comment