FAQs • My sewer is backed up. How do I know who is responsib

My sewer is backed up. How do I know who is responsible?: You can call the Utility Department and we will dispatch someone to check our main sewer line that serves your residence. If the problem is not in the main line, our personnel will notify you. The problem could be in the lateral that runs from the residence to the main line. This commonly happens when, for example, roots overgrow and invade the sewer lines.
For more information, please call the Utility Department at (231) 775-0181 x 123.

Water & Sewer Services

1. Do you test for bacteria?: Yes, we do Total Coliform / E. Coli testing for drinking water and Total Coliform / E. Coli Enumeration (counting) for drinking and/or surface water. For example, beach testing and heterotrophic plate counts for drinking water / surface water.

2. Do you test for nitrates/nitrites?: We do test for nitrates and nitrites in drinking water, but not the full partial chemistry.

3. What are you certified to test for?: We are certified by the State of Michigan to test for Total Coliform / E. Coli Presence / Absence, Total Coliform / E. Coli Enumeration, Heterotrophic Plate Counts, nitrates, nitrites, copper and lead in drinking water.

6. Is your final water used for drinking water?: No. Even though we are very proud of our water quality, we discharge the final product into a trout stream.

7. My sewer is backed up. How do I know who is responsible?: You can call the Utility Department and we will dispatch someone to check our main sewer line that serves your residence. If the problem is not in the main line, our personnel will notify you. The problem could be in the lateral that runs from the residence to the main line. This commonly happens when, for example, roots overgrow and invade the sewer lines.
For more information, please call the Utility Department at (231) 775-0181 x 123.

8. How can I use so much water?: Typically, main areas of water loss reside in leaking toilets. You can stop into our office for a test strip to test your toilet to see if there is a leak.
For more information, call (231) 775-0181 x 123.

9. Is it safe to drink the water during spring or fall flushing?: Water main flushing sometimes results in discolored water. While not harmful, tap water may appear orange in color. We encourage citizens to run the cold water until it clears up. Residents should avoid doing laundry while their water is discolored.

10. If someone else was living in my house, am I responsible for the bill?: Yes, if you are the landowner. The ordinance of the City of Cadillac states that any unpaid bill is considered a lien on the property and if not paid, will be rolled onto your property taxes.
For more information, call (231) 775-0181 x 123.