Water, Sewer & Wastewater Treatment
Coldwater's water treatment plant was designed to remove iron and manganese but not soften municipally supplied water. The water utility is protecting the water supply with a wellhead protection program. It is one of the first of its kind in the state of Michigan. The wellhead protection program identifies which lands impact the water producing aquifer and establishes guidelines for informing the public and governmental agencies on protecting the watershed.
Coldwater's municipal wastewater utility protects the environment by removing impurities in the water used by the community. Organic matter removed from wastewater is applied to agricultural land. The cleaned and filtered water is then returned to the environment through the local lake-chain.
Hazardous Recycling Programs
The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities is doing its part to protect our environment by making it easy for Branch County residents to recycle their used oil, oil filters, antifreeze and household batteries.
Mercury is also accepted
Mercury is a silver-gray metal found in old thermometers and switches. It is extremely hazardous to our local lakes and rivers. The mercury from a single thermometer, if disposed of in the surface water, can pollute a twenty-acre lake. As the local environmental leader, the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities is encouraging all local residents to bring their mercury thermometers / switches or liquid mercury to the CBPU wastewater treatment plant for proper disposal.
Don't Forget:
- Thermometers and switches should be in zip lock plastic bags and liquid mercury should be in a sealed container.
- Hazardous liquids or gasoline mixtures are not accepted.
- Oil or antifreeze must not be contaminated with paints, thinners, brake fluid, gasoline, etc.
- Household batteries are also collected at Wal-Mart, Culy's Jewelry and the Henry L. Brown Municipal Building.
These items are all accepted at the Wastewater Treatment Plant:
100 Jay Street, during the following times:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 P.M.
