Public Utilities
The Public Utilities department is responsible for the oversight of 10 departments that make up the city's utility funds. These departments include Electric, Gas, Water Treatment, Water Distribution, Wastewater Treatment, Wastewater Collection, Transfer Station, Collection Station, Recycling and Sanitation Collection.
The department interacts with multiple federal and state regulatory entities through reports and inspections. These agencies include but are not limited to the Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Information Administration, National Electric Reliability Council, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Water Development Board, Railroad Commission and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
The department is also directly responsible for the city's wastewater pre-treatment program, backflow prevention program, utility mapping and SCADA system operation.
To see a copy of the 2007 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, click here.
BE SAFE, BE RESPONSIBLE,
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG
Dial 811
Digging can be dangerous, there are buried utilities throughout our city. The last thing you want to do is hit a natural gas, water, sewer or electric line. Without getting locates first, you could jeopardize your safety and others safety, not to mention the inconvenience of being without the service.
Before beginning any project that requires you to move earth, IT'S THE LAW and IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to have all underground utilities marked before breaking ground. This is a free service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; simply make a phone call to have lines located. The locate center will contact the city and they will mark their lines within 2 business days.
Wait the required time - at least two business days -- before you begin to dig. This allows each underground utility time to locate and mark any facility that could be buried in your yard. The following chart will show you what colors are associated with certain utilities.
Once lines are marked, dig with care. Dig safely, by hand-digging within 18 inches of any marking.
Water Blue Sewer Green Gas Yellow Electric Red