Water Distribution - Gratiot Area Water Authority Contact Us

Water Treatment

The Gratiot Area Water Authority (also known as GAWA) is responsible for the proper treatment of domestic potable water. GAWA is composed of a river intake, six production wells, two ground reservoirs, two booster pump stations and the water treatment plant - which is the heart of the system. The Gratiot Area Water Authority operates and maintains the treatment plant while the Water Division of the Public Works Departments in Alma and St. Louis maintains the water distribution system throughout the cities which includes their respective elevated storage tanks. The daily operations of GAWA include the operation and maintenance of the Water Treatment Plant and it's components listed above. Laboratory testing and analyzing is ongoing where tests are run daily and even hourly to maintain the standards set forth by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division. Proper pump and motor maintenance as well as other equipment maintenance is also required.

The Water Treatment Plant was originally constructed to allow use of the Pine River as the main water source. Today, GAWA relies on the Pine River only as a back-up source of domestic water. Currently, the balance of the water supplied to the treatment plant is through the use of six wells (depths ranging from 105 feet to 162.5 feet); well #1, #7, #8, #9, #10 and #11. Any rotation of four out of the six wells get used at any particular time to meet current demands. These are presently the only production wells in service. Wells 3-6 no longer exist. They were abandoned and capped in the 1950's and 1960's. Well #2 was officially abandoned and capped in 2018. An additional well is currently being constructed. This will be well #12. It is expected to be finished by August 2023.

The Water Treatment Plant (GAWA) serves to provide high quality water to it's customers and is considered to be a "lime-soda softening" plant. This means that it uses a process whereby calcium and magnesium ions are precipitated from the water by reaction with lime and soda ash. Homes and businesses who receive water from the Water Treatment Plant have the luxury of receiving water that is not only disinfected, but is softened down to a hardness of between 130-150 PPM (parts per million) or 7.6-8.7 GPG (grains per gallon).

Distribution

The City of Alma and City of St. Louis water divisions are responsible for the proper distribution of water to City residents and businesses. Collectively, the water systems for the City of Alma and City of St. Louis are composed of approximately 100 miles of water main including valves and hydrants as well as countless service connections to homes and businesses. The water mains vary in size from 4" to 16" in diameter. The water division is who repairs water main breaks. It is responsible for the water line up to and including the curb stop valve going to a business or home. The water line after this curb stop valve is the responsibility of the home or business owner. While the meter is the property of the City, by ordinance, the homeowner is responsible for the care of the meter keeping it from outside damage or freezing.

The water division is also responsible for maintaining a Cross Connection program set forth by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division. To learn more about Cross Connections, see the "Helpful Downloads" section of this page for "Cross Connections Questions".

If your water bill is unusually high, you likely have a leak. Toilets and water softeners are the first place to check. A leaky toilet can waste thousands of gallons each month. A continuous leak from a 1/8" diameter water stream, at 60 PSI line pressure, can waste over 3,000 gallons per day, while a 1/4" stream can waste over 13,000 gallons per day.

Below are some tips for the handyperson:

Toilets: The flapper in the tank is the most common source of problems. To check this, turn the water supply valve off at the toilet and watch the level in the toilet bowl. If the level drops, replace the flapper and clean the flapper seat in the toilet tank. In addition, check the level in the tank. After flushing, the water should shut off when the tank level is about 1/2" to 1" below the overflow tube. If water does not shut off at this level, adjust the float in the toilet's water tank.

Water Softeners: After the softener has regenerated (cycled), check to see if water is still running down the drain. If it is, the softener needs to be repaired. Consider turning off and bypassing your softener. Remember, the Water Treatment Plant softens your water for you!

Faucets: Dripping faucets should be repaired or replaced. What seems like a small, insignificant leak is actually costing you more money than you think.

Furnace Humidifier: Inspect the humidifier float to make sure that it is shutting off the fill water at the level recommended by the manufacturer. Check your owner's manual for details.

Overnight Leak Check:
Here are some steps you can take to check for a leak:
1. Locate your water meter inside your home.
2. Read and record it in the evening when you are done using water for the day.
Note: If you have a softener, pick a day that your softener will not be regenerating.
3. Read the meter again the next morning before you use any water.
If your meter reading changes overnight with no usage, you have a leak.

There have been some recent changes to the Water Meter Testing Charges Policy. A resident who believes their meter is reading incorrectly may schedule to have the meter tested. The City of Alma uses a third party to test for meter accuracy.
*If the results that come back from the meter accuracy test show the meter to register more than 2% faster, the customer’s bill will be adjusted for billings based on the last twelve months usage. The meter testing fee and shipping fee will be waived.
*If the results that come back from the meter accuracy test show the meter to register slow or correct, the account will not be adjusted. The customer’s account will be charged for the testing fee, shipping fee, and one hour of City of Alma labor for the test. To schedule a meter accuracy test, please contact the Finance Department at 989-463-8336.