Bureau Functions

Functions

The public water supply system of the City of White Plains serves the entire city, an area of approximately 9.8 square miles. The City's residential population is approximately 57,000. Water is distributed through approximately 160 miles of water mains to provide service to more than 10,000 metered accounts.

Water Billing

Residents and businesses can expect to receive their water bill twice a year. Water bills will soon be automated, essentially eliminating the need for manual readings at each residence and commercial property. Once automation is complete, water bills will be generated on a quarterly basis. One of the significant benefits for quarterly readings is that if your home should be leaking water (i.e. a continuously running toilet or dripping faucet or outdoor water spigot) fluctuations in the water bill will be noticed and meter owners will be notified accordingly.

Meter owners should be aware that a leaky pipes, etc., are not the responsibility of the City so it's important to be aware of your home or businesses water consumption.

The City utilizes a progressive water structure which means that the unit rate escalates with increased usage. In 2014, water customers are charged a starting rate of $1.73 per 100 cubic feet of water. (1 cubic foot = 7.48 gallons of water x 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons). The average annual water bill for a family of four (4) is estimated to be $182.00.

To comply with State regulations, the City of White Plains annually issues a report describing the quality of your drinking water. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water and awareness of the need to protect our drinking water sources. Last year, your tap water met all State drinking water health standards, and we are proud to report that our system had no violations last year.

Our Annual Drinking Water Quality Report includes all test results for our drinking water; it also contains information about where your water comes from, what it contains and how it compares to State standards.

Water Flushing 

Water main flushing is a necessary maintenance which is scheduled once a year. Flushing is performed on normal workdays, between midnight and 4:00 a.m. Water pressure variations or discolored water conditions may occur. To avoid inconvenience, check the water before doing laundry and keep water in the refrigerator for drinking and cooling. Discolored water can also result from street construction or water main work being done in the area. Any disturbance to the water main, including the flushing of an open hydrant, can cause pipe sedimentation to shift, resulting in rusty brown-colored water. The settling time will vary, dependent upon the size of your street's water main. It is recommended to run your cold water for a number of minutes to flush the line. Call 422-1220 for more information.

Annual Flushing Schedule

April

Soundview, Old Mamaroneck Road, Gedney Farms, Colonial, Havilands Section and North Street Areas.

May

Coralyn, Reynal, Hillair, Holbrooke, Richbell, Topland, North Street, Saxon Wood, Rosedale Areas.

September to October

Battle Hill, Church Street, North Broadway, Fisher Hill, Westminster and Woodcrest Areas and the Central Business District.

November

Prospect Park, Highland, Carhart Areas

Additional Functions of the Water and Wastewater Bureau

  • Operational testing and maintenance of the Bureau’s water pumping stations, water mains, service connections, and hydrants; to ensure the adequate delivery pressure in all neighborhoods of potable and wholesome water, as regulated by federal and state environmental laws and regulations.
  • Performs preventive maintenance procedures and tests to ascertain that the water delivery system, along with the wastewater sanitary sewer system, and the separate storm water sewer system are free of underground leaks.
  • This Bureau makes, or arranges, for any necessary repairs and maintains the following appropriate systems as required for the public’s safety and use:
    • Evaluate pipe conditions
    • Major leaks
    • Metering defects
    • Monitoring of effluents
    • Treatment modifications
    • Water use

Reservoirs

The City's reservoirs and watershed property are restricted environmental areas that are maintained by authorized City staff. Trespassers are not allowed at any time and may be prosecuted.

Water Pump Stations

The Department of Public Works operates two primary water pump stations and one booster station:

  • Orchard Street Pumping Station (OSPS)
  • Central Avenue Pumping Station (CAPS)
  • Hall Avenue Booster Station (HAPS)

In addition to routine water testing, this Bureau anticipates changing water conditions and may adjust water levels due to excessive rain events or in times of severe heat/electricity demands and possible drought.

Wastewater and Stormwater

The City of White Plains DPW is responsible for processing two types of water elimination:

Routine maintenance, analysis, and evaluation of the wastewater sewer systems serves two purposes:

  • Infiltration Analysis - Detects liquids and water, other than wastewater, entering the sewer system through the ground, unauthorized sewer connections, or through manholes or defective pipes
  • Inflow analysis - Detects liquids and water, other than wastewater, entering the sewer system from roof leaders, sump pumps, cellar drains, cross connections between storm sewers and sanitary sewers, catch basins, and manholes

Public Education

  • Our Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF) includes all test results for our drinking water. It also contains information about where your water comes from, what it contains and how it compares to New York State standards
  • When needed, DPW prepares official notices to the public, as well as informational materials pertaining to water conservation, drought provisions, and purity of water bulletins.
  • Information is available on the City of White Plains website, on White Plains Cable TV - Channel 77, in the City Clerk's office at White Plains City Hall and at the White Plains Public Library.