The public's investment in AWWU's two water treatment and three wastewater treatment facilities, water and sewer mains, laboratories, reservoirs and other buildings is over $8 billion. More than 50 million gallons of treated potable water can be stored in reservoirs strategically situated throughout AWWU's distribution system. The Utility invests over $50 million in capital projects annually to ensure its water and wastewater systems perform efficiently. AWWU provides best-in-class service as measured against industry benchmarks such as drinking water compliance rate, water quality complaints, water pipeline breaks, unplanned service disruptions, compliance with discharge permits, collection system failures, and sewer overflows.
A keybox is a flat and circular, mushroom-shaped piece of metal extruding from the ground usually found near the property line where the building is connected to AWWU's water service line. It can be commonly found in driveways or along the property's easement line. It may be flush with the ground, or extend up from the ground a few inches (see photos below). When an emergency exists (a road washed out, houses/basements flooded, main line breaks) or there is a threat to public safety, there may not be time to notify customers before the water must be turned off.
Mark Corsentino was appointed General Manager by Mayor Ethan Berkowitz in 2019. Mark joined the Utility as a Civil Engineer in 2007, and worked on multiple water and sewer projects, utilizing his strong knowledge of planning, design, and construction. He was an Engineering Project Management Supervisor for 6 years, and became the Director of Operations and Maintenance in 2016. The General Manager is responsible for the overall operation of AWWU, providing leadership and direction for seven operational divisions.
The cost of meter installation is dependent on the size of the meter. The average installation cost for an average home or business, with very little retrofitting, is about $350.00. Costs can vary greatly as every building has its unique requirements. In over 90 percent of the cases of higher than normal water usage, the cause is a leaky toilet. Toilets can pass a tremendous amount of water straight into the sewer, which is why you may not see any evidence of a leak. Most water meters are positive displacement devices.