Water FAQ

Where does the water come from?

The Tullahoma Utilities Board’s water is supplied by the Duck River Utility Commission (DRUC), which treats surface water from the Normandy Reservoir. The reservoir was constructed by the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1976. It is filled by flow from the upper Duck River Basin. TVA owns the land surrounding the reservoir and is actively working with DRUC and the state’s Division of Water Pollution Control to protect the reservoir. A source water assessment program is under development for the reservoir and will be available soon.

How do I know my water is clean?

Water samples are routinely collected and tested each day, both by TUB and DRUC, from the source water right to your home – checking purity and identifying potential problems. The water delivered to your home complied with, or did better than, all state and Federal drinking water requirements.

How much does the water cost?

If you live inside the city of Tullahoma, your water costs just $2.59/1000 gallons for the first 100,000 gallons of water used. After that, the rate decreases to $2.38/1000 gallons. Compare that to a bottle of water purchased in the store, which can cost up to $1 for only 20 ounces! Customers who live outside the city limits of Tullahoma pay $3.82/1000 gallons for the first 100,000 gallons, and $3.50/1000 gallons for all water consumed over 100,000 gallons. County Line Cooperative customers pay $4.12/1000 gallons for the first 100,000 gallons, and $3.56/1000 gallons for all usage over 100,000 gallons.

How do I find my water cut-off valve?

Knowing the location of your home’s water cut-off valve and knowing how to turn off the home’s main water supply can save thousands of dollars in property damage in the event of a break in your home’s water lines. Take the time to locate your home’s valve, or have a plumber install one if yours is missing or broken.

What should I do if my toilet is running all the time?

Leaking toilets is the number one reason our customers experience higher-than-usual water bills. A tiny leak can waste hundreds, or even thousands, of gallons of water in a month. To test your toilets, place a few drops of blue food coloring in the toilet’s tank. After a few minutes, check the bowl. If it is blue, your toilet is leaking. TUB also has available blue tablets to place in your toilet’s tank to check for leaks. Call us for more information.

Are the water and sewer bills connected?

The Tullahoma Utilities Board operates three separate and distinct departments: electric, water and wastewater (sewer). Each department has its own budget. In other words, one department cannot operate out of funds from the other budget, and when one department has a rate increase, it does not necessarily mean the others will also experience an increase. Your wastewater bill each month is based upon the amount of water sent through the sanitary sewer system to be cleaned and released into Rock Creek.

Do we have “hard” or “soft” water?

The water drawn from Normandy Lake is moderately soft with a hardness of about 50 ppm (parts per million), or three grains. This is about 2 on a scale of 1-10. The minimum amount of soap or detergent as recommended by the manufacturer should be used in all appliances.

Why are hydrants flushed twice a year?

The entire water distribution system is flushed twice a year to prevent the build-up of mineral deposits.

How much sodium is in the water?

Our drinking water contains 6-8 mg/l (milligrams per liter). Comparatively, a carbonated drink contains 170 mg/l.