As a homeowner, you are likely to receive a number of sales calls from various vendors wanting to sell you gadgets for your home. One such product might be a home water treatment device or system. As your water provider, we believe it is our responsibility to make available, as much as possible, information concerning home water treatment products. Whether you receive an unsolicited call or you believe a point-of-use home water treatment device or whole-house system may be beneficial to you and your family, we are here to help you make an informed decision whatever the situation.

We want your decision to be based on preference, rather than concern about water quality. The water delivered by Erwin Utilities to our customers is carefully treated and tested to ensure it meets the strict health-based standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Water Supply. Protecting public health is our highest priority.

We understand that some people have particular preferences or needs when it comes to drinking water. To assist you in meeting those needs, we, along with the American Water Works Association (AWWA), have created a water filter and water quality information kit to help provide factual information about various types of home water treatment devices and systems. After all, no one knows your water better than we do. While we cannot recommend specific brands or products, the information included in this packet can help you make an informed decision.

If you are considering purchasing a home water treatment device or system, we encourage you to carefully evaluate what you are trying to achieve, consider the characteristics of the water we are providing, think about how you will maintain the device(s), and ask key questions of product providers.

If you have any further questions about your water quality, point-of-use home water treatment devices, or whole-house systems, please do not hesitate to call Clay Hepburn or Sharon Kidd at 743-1835 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Again, thank you for being a valued Erwin Utilities’ Customer.

Temperatures below freezing may cause homeowners to experience problems with frozen pipes. Pipes that are most susceptible to freezing are outdoor faucets, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines. Water supply lines in basements, crawl spaces, and garages can also freeze since these spaces are not heated. Plumbing located in walls exposed to the outside are also at risk of freezing. Erwin Utilities offers the following tips for preventing water pipes from freezing:

• Make sure the water meter box cover is not broken, missing, or open. Report missing or broken covers to Erwin Utilities’ Engineering Department at (423) 743-1844 .
• Disconnect and drain garden hoses. Drain outside faucets and / or insulate them if you are unable to drain them.
• Pipes located in unheated spaces should be insulated. Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to prevent pipes from freezing. These should be installed and operated per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Open the vanity or cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach water pipes if a sink is on an outside wall. You can also leave a very thin stream of water running continuously when the temperature reaches the low teens.
• Keep doors and windows in basements and garages tightly shut. Keep crawl space vents and doors closed. Seal cracks in basement or crawl space walls.
• Turn off water at the shut-off valve and drain water pipes if leaving town for an extended period of time.
• Use hot air from a hair dryer, heat gun, or a light bulb to thaw a frozen pipe. Never use an open flame to thaw a pipe.
• Erwin Utilities requires a shut-off valve at each residence. If a customer chooses to use the cutoff in the meter box, they are liable for any damage to the meter or cutoff valve.
• Opening the water meter box during extremely cold weather, allows cold air to enter the meter box, which could freeze the water meter and cause pipes around the water meter to freeze.
• Do not attempt to thaw a frozen water meter or water pipes in the meter box. Any form of heat used around the water meter could damage the water meter. Call Erwin Utilities at 743-1820, if you suspect the meter is frozen.

Additional information about preventing cross contamination can be found by clicking here. 

If you need help locating your septic system, you can contact the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to obtain a copy of the septic permit and maps.

If you would like to get information on existing layouts and public records, you can call the TDEC at 423-854-5392. To locate a septic layout, you can email TDEC.Johnsoncity.EFO@tn.gov. You should include your property address, subdivision name (if applicable), original owner’s name, and previous owner’s name in this email. 

Whether you are a wastewater customer with Erwin Utilities or have a private septic tank, there are some important things you should know about what should and should not be flushed or disposed of down your home’s drains.  For more information, check out the resources on this site:  Flushable Wipes and F.O.G.