After Hours Emergencies

  • Phone Number (574)-936-2126

**All after hours Non-Emergency calls will be billed a minimum of $70.00. **

How does water get into my house?

The City of Plymouth Water Department maintains deep wells and over 80 miles of water mains to deliver the best quality and the proper quantity of water to your house 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The system of water mains used to distribute water to our customers is called a distribution system. There is a water main in the street that serves water to your neighborhood. Each city residence has a smaller line called a service line that supplies water to the home.

What do I need to start service at my residence?

A new customer must come to the Office of the Clerk-Treasurer located at 124 North Michigan Street. The Clerk-Treasurer's office can begin utility service for water, sewer, and trash only.

To start service with the City of Plymouth you will need to bring three (3) items:

  1. Renter - A copy of your signed lease agreement or a written statement from the landlord indicating that you can start utility service at the desired address.
    If you are buying the home - You will need to bring a copy of your closing papers.
  2. State or federally issued photo identification.
  3. $150.00 for a utility deposit. Rental or Land Contract customers only.

How can I pay my utility account?

You may mail in your payment, drop it in the convenient drop box located on the north side of the Clerk-Treasurer's office at 124 North Michigan Street. You can bring the payment in to the Clerk-Treasurer's office. They can take three types of payments: cash, check or money order. You may sign up for automatic withdrawal from your checking or savings account, which comes out of your account five business days prior to the original due date. You may also make payments online or by telephone at (574) 936-2124 .

How do I terminate service at my residence?

Customers wishing to discontinue their service must sign a work order at the Clerk-Treasurer's office. It is recommended but not always required to allow at least three days notice to cancel service. You will, also, need to provide a new address to which your final bill or customer deposit will be sent.

What should I do if my water is shut off?

  1. Pay the bill at the Office of the Clerk-Treasurer located at 124 North Michigan Street. Cash, check and money orders are accepted for the shut off amount plus the $30.00 administrative fee.
  2. You will then need to make an appointment for your service to be turned back on during normal working hours 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. An adult must be present at the house for the turn on, otherwise another appointment will have to be made.

What should I do if my water is an unusual color?

Rusty, yellow or orange colored water is caused by iron and manganese sediment that can be deposited in water mains. This sediment can get agitated when water mains are flushed, fire hydrants are used, or when water mains leak. Water mains must be flushed as a part of the proper operation and maintenance of a distribution system. This discolored water is safe to drink, but it is not aesthetically pleasing and can stain clothes.

Discolored water can be remedied if the household plumbing is flushed. Three cold-water faucets need to be opened at the same time for seven minutes to remove any discolored water from the household plumbing. This is referred to as a 3 X 7 system flush. Discolored water is hard to remove from a hot water tank. One cold-water faucet in the basement, one in the kitchen, and one in a bathtub or shower are preferred. If the problem persists, alert our customer service office at 574-936-2124.

Please note - Do not open any hot water faucets until the cold water has cleared up. Do not do laundry if the water is discolored because it will stain the laundry.

In the event that your clothes are stained, a stain-removing agent is available by calling the Water Department at 936-2543. This bottle of stain remover is free to all City of Plymouth water customers. Please use the stain-removing agent as directed.

Why does my water smell/taste strange??

Water may have an undesirable taste or smell if it has been stagnant in the household plumbing too long. A flush should alleviate the taste and odor issues. Should the undesirable properties persist, decide if a particular faucet is at fault. Sometimes the home water equipment, such as water softeners, water heaters, or in-line filters can be the cause of tastes or smells. The quality of our water is constantly monitored and tested. However, if our customers have any concerns about their water they can schedule an appointment for a household test by contacting the Clerk-Treasurer's office at (574) 936-2124 or by calling the Water Department at (574) 936-2543.

What should I do if I have sand in my water?

Sand-like particles could be calcium (lime) deposits, water softener resin or sand from a geologic formation. A small sample of the particles should be soaked in vinegar or a mild acid. If the particles dissolve when the acid is added, they are calcium deposits. Sand or water softener resin will not react to the acid. Water softener resin appears as symmetrical and shiny particles that feel greasy to the touch. If the particles are determined to be water softener resin, then the water softener should be bypassed.

Flush each cold-water faucet and have your water heater checked for calcium deposits. If there are any further questions or the source of the problems cannot be determined, please contact the Clerk-Treasurer's office or the Water Department office. Water works personnel may be able to correctly identify the particles.

Is it normal to have white flakes in ice cubes or hot water?

Flakes are caused by calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate precipitates. When hard water is frozen or boiled the carbonates in the water come out of solution, appearing as whitish flakes and attaching to containers. This calcium is the same as that in dairy products and is harmless.

Soft water does not have any calcium or magnesium carbonate deposits, but the use of soft water for drinking is not recommended.

Why does my water look milky?

Air bubbles in water cause it to look foamy or milky, but it will clear from the bottom. Faucets with aerators introduce air into the water stream to prevent splashing and provide stream uniformity. Sometimes the aerator can become obstructed and it must be cleaned. Removing the aerator will reduce or eliminate the bubbles, although it would be better to clean the aerator periodically and continue its use.

Is lead or copper a problem in the city's water supply?

No! Most of this problem is found in the customer owned pipes and service lines where solder or lead pipes were used. Fortunately, the harder water in this area creates a calcium carbonate coating in the service lines. This buildup, known as scaling, is essentially a barrier preventing lead from leaching into the water.

The Plymouth Water Department is in complete compliance with the strict regulations of the EPA's mandated lead and copper rule. Our water has been given the highest quality lead and copper rating. The results can be viewed on the 2021 Consumer Confidence Report sent to you upon request.

Would it be safer if I bought a water filter or bottled water for my home?

A home filter or bottled water may not be necessary since the Plymouth Water Department has already filtered and treated the water. As a municipal drinking water supplier we are regulated by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the Environmental Protection Agency. We are in complete compliance with the strict standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Some people desire a higher quality of water than we can economically provide, therefore, aftermarket filters and bottled water are options.

What should I do to report water coming up to the surface near my house?

Please call the Clerk-Treasurer's office at 936-2124 during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to report water coming up to the surface, or call our emergency number 936-2126 after hours. There are a variety of reasons water could be coming up to the surface. One of these possibilities is a water leak. Please call us at 936-2126 so we can determine if the problem is a Plymouth Water Department problem.

As a Plymouth home owner what are my responsibilities?

A water utility customer is to fix and maintain the service line from the city service valve in the street easement to the home. Inside the home the city maintains the meter only. The homeowner takes care of any plumbing. This includes keeping the meter in a warm and insulated area of the home, usually in the basement. If the meter is damaged due to homeowner's neglect, the costs involved for repair or replacement of the meter will be assessed to the resident.