Frequently Asked Questions About Utility Services in Mason

What is the hardness of my water?
Water supplied to the City of Mason has a hardness of 8 to 10 grains per gallon, which is equivalent to 171 mg/l (171 parts per million.)

What is the iron content in the water?
There is little to no iron in your water.

What causes water to be "hard?"
The presence of calcium and manganese in the water causes water hardness. Water that is pumped from underground by wells is generally harder than water that comes from the surface of the earth, such as lakes and rivers. Water supplied to the City of Mason is surface water and has relatively little hardness.

Where does my water come from?
Your water comes from the Ohio River or from underground wells in the Great Miami Aquifer. It is processed by Greater Cincinnati Water Works at their Miller Treatment Plant or their Bolton Plant.

Is Mason divided into service areas that receive water from different sources?
The City of Mason was divided into service areas that received water from different sources until December, 2004. At that time, GCWW began providing water for all city customers from the same source.

Who do I talk to in order to get a new water meter installed?
Contact Greater Cincinnati Water Works at 513-591-7700.

Why has my water pressure decreased recently?
A decrease in water pressure could be a result of a problem with a home water softener, a faulty pressure-reducing valve, or a build up of debris in your faucet aerator.

Why is my utility bill so high?
Your utility bill is based on the number of gallons used, as registered at your water meter. If you suspect that the bill is too high, it could be due to leaks in your water system. Toilet leaks are the most common type of leak. A single "running" toilet can quietly waste over 1,000 gallons of water in a single day. Fortunately, repairing toilet leaks is usually easy and inexpensive.

Checking for leaks elsewhere in your plumbing system might reveal other sources of water loss. If you have a water softener, take a reading of your meter before and after it regenerates, this will show how much water was used.

In many cases, high bills are a result of increased water use. Changes in outdoor water use, such as watering a lawn or using a sprinkler system, are generally responsible for large increases. Reading your water meter before and after watering can help you identify how much water you are using.

What size water meter do I need for my business?
The size of the meter is determined by the amount of water needed by the business and is determined by a design engineer.

What is the difference between storm sewers and regular, or sanitary sewers?
The storm sewers are more accurately called stormwater collection systems. They carry stormwater - the result of rainfall - to a creek, river, detention basin, or other stormwater collection component. Sewer water is water used in a home, business, or factory and is collected for treatment at a wastewater treatment facility. Note that they are two different systems, and that anything dumped into the storm sewers goes directly to area waterways.

Are there special water or sewer rates available when I fill my home swimming pool?
Click here for information about Home Swimming Pools.