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Utilities Service Info

The Town of Fortville and the Fortville Water Department, to fulfill the State of Indiana’s Wellhead Protection Rule, are updating their Wellhead Protection Plan. The plan involves sharing information with local residents and government, mapping the wellhead protection area (the area where underground water is pumped for public use), and identifying potential sources of contamination. This information will be used to help protect underground drinking water by managing the area to prevent contamination, and by having a contingency plan in case of an emergency spill or leak.

What is a potential contamination source?  You may have a few on your property.  A potential contaminant is anything that might get into your drinking water that you would not want to drink.  A source is a facility or an activity that could release such a contaminant.  While soil serves as a filter for many things that might otherwise enter the groundwater, it is not capable of removing everything.

Examples of potential contaminant sources are:

Leaking Underground Storage Tanks – are potential sources of oil, gasoline and diesel fuel contamination.  All tanks that are out of service should be removed and all new tanks should be constructed in accordance with 329 IAC 9.

Residential Lawns and Agricultural Areas – are sources of fertilizers, weed killers, and pesticides that can run off and seep into soils, potentially contaminating ground and surface waters.  Livestock manure can also be a source of bacteria and nitrogen that may contaminate drinking water.  Responsible use of chemicals includes limiting amounts used, careful handling, proper storage, and reporting spills to the proper authorities identified in the Wellhead Protection Plan.  All pesticide use, application, storage, mixing, loading, transportation, and disposal must comply with IC 15-3-3.5 and 3.6.

Automotive Maintenance – can contaminate waters if waste materials such as paints, cleaning solvents, used oil, antifreeze, and brake fluid are not properly disposed of.  These materials should not be poured on the ground or down drains.  Recycling is the best management practice for these fluids.

Septic Systems – can discharge bacteria, nutrients, and other contaminants into ground water.  Proper maintenance and repair will help to ensure the best treatment of these contaminants before discharging them into our source water.  Septic systems should be inspected and serviced every three (3) years. Contact the Hancock County Health Department at 317-477-1125 if a problem with a septic system is suspected.

Manufacturing and Industry – handle and dispose of many toxic and hazardous materials that can runoff via storm water, leaks or spills.  Indiana’s Compliance and Technical Assistance Program (CTAP), at 800-988-7901, provides confidential assistance in getting answers to compliance questions.

Abandoned wells – that have not been properly sealed present a threat to ground water.  Contaminants from the surface can enter the ground water directly if spilled, leaked or poured into the abandoned well.  In Indiana, a licensed well driller must abandon wells.  If you suspect your well is not properly sealed, please contact a well driller to do so.  Anyone who is aware of wells that are no longer in use and may not have been properly abandoned is encouraged to contact the Madison County Health Department at 317-477-1125. Information on proper abandonment procedures is available through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water, at 877-928-3755.

Solid Waste Disposal Sites – legally or illegally dumped solid and hazardous waste can leach chemicals into the soil and into the groundwater below.  Cleanup or remediation is necessary at many of these sites to prevent further contamination.

Hazardous or Toxic Waste Spills – from nearby roadways, railroads, and other sources can pose a serious threat to source waters.  As soon as emergency responders have been called, contaminant spills should also be reported to IDEM’s Office of Emergency Response, at 888-233-7745 (within 24 hours of a spill, sooner if possible).

If you are an owner or operator of a potential contamination source, please be aware of how such contaminants could impact the water supply.  Actively look for ways to reduce the use of such contaminants.  Follow best management practices when handling hazardous materials.  Report spills and be prepared to capture runoff, spills, and leaks in a timely manner.

If you would like to know if you live or work in the wellhead protection area, or would like to review a copy of the Fortville plan during normal business hours, our phone number is 485-4044.  Thank you for helping us safeguard our drinking water supply.

The Town of Fortville and the Fortville Water Department

Water Conservation. Schedule. Restrictions 2022

The Street & Utilities Department operates and maintains the Town’s water reservoirs, pump stations and water mains to deliver drinkable water to customers.

Account-Holder Responsibilities: It is the account holder’s responsibility to provide continual access to the water meter. If a Meter Reader encounters an obstruction to the meter, a letter will be sent to the account holder requesting that the obstruction be removed. Obstructions will often result in the account holder receiving an estimated bill. Failure to remove an obstruction may result in discontinuation of service.

Town Responsibilities: Town responsibilities are limited to those things it controls, owns or maintains. Since the Town does not control, own or maintain the elements of the customer’s home/business plumbing system, it cannot be held responsible for failures to this system. Problems: Water service-related problems between the water meter and the customer’s home/business or within the customer’s home/business, are the customer’s responsibility. The Street & Utilities Department directs the daily operations of the Town’s water utility and for reading water meters. The Utility Office is responsible for billing customers for their consumption and processing payments. Meters/Meter Pits: Water meters are the property of the Town of Fortville therefore tampering with meters (turning on/off) is prohibited and can carry a fine up to $1500.00. Turning the water on/off must always be done by the Street & Distribution Department.

Billing: Meters are read on the 15th of each month. Customers are billed monthly on the 1st of each month. Billing dates are assigned based on meter reading route patterns and, therefore, cannot be changed at the request of the customer. If the utility bill is not received by the Utility office on or before the 17th of the month, a penalty will be added to the amount due. Utility Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM For new service please come into the office. You may also download and print the forms by clicking on the service forms link on the home page of this site and then bring them into the office when you would like to start new service or discontinue your current service. A copy of the Utility Office Policies and Procedures is available upon request.  There is a per page fee of 10 cents per page.  You may request a copy at the Utility Office during business hours M-F 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Line Locates: If line locates are needed, call 1-800-382-5544 at least 2 full working days before you dig, and they will contact the town along with the other utilities.

After Hours Emergency: Call the Utilities office at (317) 485-4044 and press option 2 to notify the Street & Utilities Department.

The Sewer Maintenance division is responsible for the collection of wastewaters and its conveyance to a treatment facility. Employees in this division maintain the Town’s sewer mains and pump stations. Sewer service-related problems within the customer’s home/business or between the customers home/business and the sewer main (including the connection to the sewer main) are the customer’s responsibility.

The Town of Fortville’s Utility Office is located at 714 E. Broadway, Fortville Indiana. Utility Office phone number is (317) 485-4044, option 2

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM