Customer Service FAQs
Water Quality FAQs
Construction FAQs

Customer Service FAQs 

Where can I pay my water bill and what are my payment options?

You can learn about  paying your water bill in the Customer Service section of our site.

Has my bill been mailed out yet and when is it due?

Bills are usually mailed out within 5 days of your meter reading and are due 21 days after the bill is produced.  To access your account information and find out if you have charges due and the due date for these charges, call 513/591-7700 and select Option 2 for account and billing information. During our business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, you can also press 0 (zero) to speak directly to a customer service representative.

Note: You must have your Water Works Account Number.

When is my next meter reading date?

If you have your billing statement, the next meter reading date is printed in the top section of the statement in the upper right hand side. You can dial 513-591-7700 and select Option 4 to find out your next meter reading date. If you don't have your account number, press 0 (zero) to speak with a customer representative who will check the date for you.

Will you accept the reading I find on my meter if I am not able to be home to let the meter reader in as scheduled?

In many cases, we will use the reading you provide to calculate your bill. Please call 513/591-7700 and select Option 4 then follow the instructions to enter your meter reading. Or you can press 0 during our business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and give the meter reading to one of our customer service representatives.   Readings must be entered no later than 12:00 noon of the next business day after the scheduled date printed on your billing statement.

Note: You must have your Water Works Account Number.

How are sewer charges calculated when I am watering my lawn or filling my pool?

If you live in Hamilton County, the Metropolitan Sewer District bills sewage on 1-2 family residential homes according to how much water they use in their winter billing period.  (The billing period that ends with the meter reading in February, March or April). For the rest of that year, if you use more water than what you used in the winter quarter, GCWW will only bill sewage up to the amount that was used in your winter quarter.    More information...

How do I report a water main leak or break?

Call 513-591-7700 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays.  Be sure to give the exact street address with the nearest cross street.  GCWW will investigate all reported leaks and breaks.

Other questions? ASK US

Water Quality FAQs

How often is my water tested?
What is the hardness of my water?
Why does drinking water look cloudy?
What is the pH?
What are the white particles coming from my tap?
Why add chlorine?
Why add fluoride?
Why is my water discolored?
What is sodium content?
How do I get information about bottled water and home filters?

NOTE: Please see "Water Source" to determine which treatment plant or source your water comes from.

How often is my water tested?

GCWW performs an average of 600 tests per day throughout the system to make sure that your water meets all federal, state and local regulations set to ensure the safety of tap water. We also have water quality monitors at various locations throughout the treatment plants and in the distribution system that test the water continuously. Alarms on these monitors make it easy for us to respond quickly to potential problems before your water quality is affected.

What is the hardness of GCWW water?

Calcium and magnesium salts are the minerals in water that are responsible for its hardness. Miller Plant water (from the Ohio River) has an average hardness of 140 milligrams per liter or 8 grains per gallon. Bolton Plant water (from the Great Miami Aquifer) has an average hardness of 148 milligrams per liter or 9 grains per gallon.  Hardness does not affect the safety of water. These minerals may accumulate in coffee pots. To remove them, fill the coffee pot with vinegar and let it sit overnight. Then rinse the coffee pot thoroughly before using. Vinegar will also work as a soak for clogged shower heads and faucet aerators.

Why does drinking water look cloudy?

Cloudy water that clears quickly from the bottom up is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to gas bubbles in soda pop. After a while, the bubbles rise to the top and disappear. This cloudiness occurs more often in the winter when drinking water is cold. Air does not affect the safety of water.

What is the pH of Cincinnati water?

The acid content of water is measured by pH. The pH of Miller water ranges from 8.4 - 8.9 (average: 8.6). The pH of Bolton water ranges from 8.6 - 9.8 (average: 9.2). 

What are the white particles coming from my tap?

The white particles are most likely either calcium carbonate deposits (scale) or the result of a deteriorating hot water heater plastic "dip tube."

• If the particles float, they could be coming from the heater's plastic dip tube. Replace the dip tube or contact the manufacturer.
• If the particles do not float, they are probably calcium carbonate and/or magnesium which are often left behind when water is heated or evaporates.

Why does GCWW add chlorine to the water?

Chlorine is added to the water as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. It is the most common method of disinfecting drinking water.  A residual amount of chlorine is maintained in the distribution system to maintain the safety of the water. Because we use carbon filtration at the Miller Plant, we don't need to add as much chlorine as many utilities do. Levels of chlorine at the Bolton Plant are similar to levels at our Miller Plant because groundwater requires less disinfection than surface water. Therefore, Cincinnati water has less of a chlorine taste than water in many cities.

If you feel Cincinnati drinking water has a chlorine taste, try leaving an open pitcher of it in your refrigerator overnight. The chlorine will be reduced by morning and the taste will improve.

Why does GCWW add fluoride to the water?

Fluoride is added to the water to protect teeth, as required by state law passed in 1970. According to the American Dental Association, persons who drink fluoridated water have a 20% to 40% reduction in the number of cavities that would have occurred without fluoride. Some home filtration devices remove fluoride from water and bottled water may or may not contain fluoride.

Why is my water discolored? Is this safe?

The reddish brown color can be caused by rust from corrosion in GCWW's pipes, the pipes in your home, or from corrosion in your home's water heater.  This is not a health concern; the water meets all health-based regulations.  If you have questions, or your laundry is stained from rusty water, call GCWW (513-591-7700).  We will deliver a laundry aid to remove the rust.  Do NOT put stained laundry in the dryer.  If you have rusty water, try running cold water slowly for several minutes.

Concerned about your sodium intake?

Water from the Miller Plant on the Ohio River has an average of 32 milligrams of sodium per liter. Water from the Bolton Plant on the Great Miami Aquifer near Fairfield, OH has an average of 28 milligrams of sodium per liter. There are about 4 cups in a liter. Please see " Water Source" to determine which treatment plant or source your water comes from.

Our water is very low in sodium, however water softeners that use sodium to remove hard-water minerals raise the sodium level. If you are watching your sodium intake, try attaching your water softener only to your hot-water line, or not attaching the kitchen faucet to the softener.

How do I get more information on bottled water and home filters?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating bottled water. For information about bottled water regulations:

FDA (Food and Drug Administration) 1-888-723-3366
www.fda.gov (search under bottled water)

For more information about home treatment devices:
NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) 1-800-673-8010
www.nsf.org or e-mail info@nsf.org

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Construction FAQs

Where should I call with water availability questions?

Our "one stop shop," at 4747 Spring Grove Avenue helps customers with engineering needs from basic water availability requests, the location of water mains, to requests for digital records.

If it's a Water Availability Application, as part of the building permit review process, call 513-591-7858.

If it's a question about making water available to an existing property or a proposed development, or if you need a letter stating that water can be made available to the property, call 513-591-7858.

Why do I need to submit a "Water Availability Application for Building Permit" from the Building Department since I don't think it applies to me?

Greater Cincinnati Water Works needs to review all new construction within our contract area, even if no water service is being requested. Most of the time there is no problem, but we do have some water mains in easements on private property, and people aren't always aware of them. We also want to be sure that domestic and fire water supply is available to the area if needed. We need a completed form with a site plan showing the property lines and the location of the proposed construction.

If the site is in a "borderline" area, and the Building Department isn't positive whether it's in our contract area, they may ask us to review the application. We still need you to submit the "Water Availability Application for Building Permit" and a site plan before we can respond to the Building Department and verify whether it's in our contract area. For additional information, contact the Engineering Division at 513-591-7858.

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