Water Treatment and Distribution

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Welcome to the City of Bonham Public Utilities Department. The utilities department staff is here to enhance the quality of life in our City through the resourceful construction, maintenance and operation of a safe community infrastructure. We look forward to providing our residents, visitors, neighborhoods, and businesses the efficient, quality services necessary to support the demands of our growing community.

The City of Bonham purchases treated water from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). Once the treated water enters the Bonham water supply system, we perform and report all tests according to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. We are proud to report a Superior rating.

2021 Consumer Confidence Report



Watermain Break

Water Main Breaks

Water main breaks are unpredictable and happen for various reasons as a normal part of operating a water utility.

  • Overly dry or wet weather causes the ground to shift
  • Sudden pressure fluctuations
  • Normal aging

The Public Utilities Department strives to make necessary repairs as quickly and safely as possible.

Sequence of Work

  • Line locates are called in to mark underground utilities such as gas, cable, electric and phone. 
  • Excavation may not begin until lines are marked.
  • Street closures and safety signage may be necessary to control traffic and keep workers and citizens safe.
  • Excavation of the main line may expose a minor leak which sometimes can be repaired without shutting water off.
  • Major leaks require the crews to isolate the pipe by shutting off valves and temporarily placing the water supply of-of-service for the time necessary to make the repairs.
  • After repair or replacement of the broken pipe, it is thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and flushed prior to being reconnected to the system.

 

How Much Water Do I Use?

How many customers ask the question "how much water does the average person use each day?. The answer to this question requires a definition of the average person". In general, per capita water use ranges from about 40 to 80 gallons per day (gpd). The following chart shows estimates of personal water use:

  • Average / Person (gpd)
  • Bathing 15 - 25
  • Sink 3 - 5
  • Toilet 5 - 15
  • Washing Clothes 10 - 20
  • Washing Dishes 5 - 10
  • Cooking 1- 2
  • Miscellaneous 1 - 3
  • Total 40 -80

How Can I Check My Water Usage?

To determine your average daily use or to check your appliance usage, you can read your meter on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis. Simply record your meter reading at the beginning of a measurement period and again at the end of a period. The difference between these two meter readings will be the water used during that period. 

Have a High Bill, But Don’t See a Leak?

You may have a leak and not know it. The best indication will be a high bill compared to your previous usage. There are often two reasons for mysterious water leaks: a leaking toilet or a leak between the meter and the house. A leaking toilet is the most common cause. Outdoor leaks are rare with the exception of an outdoor faucet that may have frozen over the winter. The first step is to determine whether you have a leak, or are you using more water than you expected. Many customers are surprised how much water can be used for activities such as watering the lawn or washing the car. Below are instructions for checking for mysterious water leaks.

Checking Your Meter for Mysterious Water Leaks

Locate the water meter. The water meter is your indicator of water use. When water is not being used, the numbers on the meter should not move. Most meters have a small “leak detector” arrow, which senses the lower volumes of water common with leaks.

Turn off every item which uses water inside and outside the home or building.

Check the meter. Watch the meter for a minute or more. If the leak detector dial or arrow is moving, you have a leak. You may want to check the main meter reading (numbers) at a set time, and come back an hour later, after you know no water has been used. If it has a higher reading, there is a leak. If you suspect a toilet may be the culprit, turn the water off from the toilet shut-off valve.

Confirm the location of the leak. If the main shut-off is closed and the meter has stopped, the leak is not between the meter and the building. If the meter still runs with the main water shut off, your leak is between the meter and the building. Since outdoor leaks are relatively rare, be sure to double-check that all indoor fixtures and outdoor hose and irrigation lines are off. Call a plumber to fix underground leaks.

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Did you know.....

The Water Department has employees on-call 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year. If you need assistance or have a water emergency after regular business hours, please call Bonham Police Department at 903-583-2141. Water department personnel will be dispatched to your home or place of business. The Public Utility Department is located at 210 Utility Dr. and has operating hours of 8:00AM – 5:00PM Monday thru Friday.

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Conservation Tips

In the dog days of Texas Spring and Summer, thoughts turn to water — truly a precious resource. Conservation not only helps ensure that our water supply is adequate; it also protects the quality of our water. Here’s what you can do to conserve at home.

  • Check your toilet for leaks. A leak in your toilet may waste more than 100 gallons of water per day. To check for leaks, put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. Leave alone for several minutes. If the food coloring color appears in the toilet bowl you have a leaky gasket. Fix as soon as possible.
  • Take shorter showers. Long showers waste five to ten gallons every minute.
  • Install water-saving devices for your shower head and toilet.
  • Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
  • Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. This ends the wasteful practice of running tap water to cool it off for drinking.
  • Use your automatic dishwasher only for full loads. Your dishwasher uses approximately 25 gallons of water so make each gallon count. If you wash dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing. If you have two sinks, fill one with soapy water and the other with rinse water.
  • Check faucets and pipes for leaks. Many leaks can be repaired with inexpensive washers.
  • Mulch around trees, shrubs and plants. This encourages healthy roots while maintaining root moisture.
  • Water during the cool parts of the day. Early morning deep-soakings are better than watering at dusk since it helps prevent fungus growth.
  • Don’t water the street or gutter. Position your sprinklers so the water sprays the grass and not the street or driveway.
  • Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks, and steps. Using a hose to clean those areas can waste hundreds of gallons of water.
  • Maintain a lawn height of 2 1/2 to 3 inches. This helps protect the roots from loss of moisture through evaporation.
  • Water thoroughly a couple times a week versus a light sprinkling everyday. Aerate clay soils at least once a year to help the soil retain moisture.
  • Plan your garden plantings around similar watering needs. Plant drought-tolerant, low water-demanding grasses, shrubs and plants.
  • Mower time. Mower maintenance is an often overlooked factor in water conservation, but can have a large impact on the health and efficiency of the turf plants. Take the time to keep your mower blade sharp. A dull blade rips the top off of the grass plant, causing damage to the plant and forcing the grass blade to expend more water and energy to repair the damage. Also, a dull blade will produce brown tips after the cutting, which simply looks bad. A sharp blade avoids these problems. Keep the underside of the deck clean to help the blade create the needed “lift”. This helps produce a more uniform cut and aids in energy efficiency. Cut no more than one third of the blade on any one cutting. If your lawn has gotten out of control, set the deck up high for the first mowing and wait a few days between mowing's to lower the deck to the desired cutting height. Remember also that a slightly longer grass blade (2.5 inches or more) will reduce thatch buildup, increase disease resistance, and conserve water.

Water Conservation & Drought Contingency Plan