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Government and Services > City Services, Departments, Communications > Public Works Water Sewer Streets
Department of Public Works (DPW)
Todd Frisbie, Director
DPW Phone: (616) 794-1340
DPW Manages City Infrastructure
Water, sewer, streets, parks, and cemeteries are among the DPW's many responsibilities.
The City's 2 water towers and 4 wells are capable of pumping more than 4,000 gallons a minute, and are kept running smoothly by the DPW staff. The DPW is also responsible for sewers and lift stations, streets and snow plowing, park and cemetery maintenance, and the city motor pool, including police vehicle care and maintenance.
Public Works Employees Are First Responders Too
On September 11, 2001, tragic events changed the way that we as Americans view our country, the world, and the effects of international politics. Pride in our country and for those who serve and protect us has soared from that sad time in history.
Since then, we have pledged our admiration and pride to the hundreds of firefighters and police officers and medical professionals (many who gave their lives) that worked tirelessly to save lives and minimize injuries at the World Trade Center. Personally, I will always admire all police, fire and medical personnel for not only what they did during that tragic time, but also for their sacrifices and dedication both before and after that horrible day.
There is, however, a significant group of public servants who also gave their all on those tragic days both during and after the attacks. Those people are public works and public utility workers who served side by side with the other first responders on that fateful day. These public servants are all too often forgotten when the other heroes of the day are duly recognized and honored. They too worked tirelessly and around the clock with great personal sacrifice, having been exposed to the same harsh environment, but without the protective equipment that is typically provided to police and fire personnel. Today, these other public servants are also suffering the long-term effects of such exposure and are possibly experiencing high rates of cancer and respiratory problems, not to mention the emotional toll that such an occurrence would cause.
It should be pointed out that when a first responder shows up to an emergency, several public works and public utility workers have already been on the job. Imagine firefighters responding to a house fire and there is no water at the hydrant or there is no one there to disconnect the electricity or natural gas. Also, imagine police and fire personnel attempting to respond to an emergency and the road hasn’t been plowed, a fallen tree or rubbish has blocked their path, or there are no street lights. Public works and public utility personnel work around the clock to provide services on a 24/7 basis. They are often called in to work overtime hours on holidays or in the middle of the night to plow snow, respond to flooding, repair a water, sewer, gas or electrical line or to assist fire and police personnel with an emergency. Imagine for a moment how difficult emergency response communications would be if there were no two-way radios, phone service or electricity. None of these things would exist without the efforts of so many public utility workers.
Unfortunately, many people don’t always recognize that while they may directly need police or fire personnel only a few times in their lifetime, they have to rely on the responsiveness, dedication and hard work of public works and public utility employees for their life needs on a daily basis. Just imagine a life without running water, flush toilets, paved roads, snow removal, trash pickup, telecommunications, heat or electricity. When such services were not available, that period of time in history was referred to as the Dark Ages, which is appropriate in more ways than one.
So, the next time you see a public works or public utility worker, give them a wave or thumbs up and let them know you appreciate their efforts. After all, as our “anytime” responders, they are the reason in so many ways that you and your family can comfortably live your life today.
Jon Stoppels, City Manager
Water Quality Report
You may access the 2021 City of Belding Water Quality Report at water.belding.us.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Interesting Facts About the City of Belding
More than 600,000,000 gallons of water are pumped annually.
Each of our water towers holds 500,000 gallons.
The City's public parks total more than 150 acres.
The City has 36 miles of streets. That's a lot of snow plowing!
Why Is My Tap Water Brown or Rust Colored?
If you live in the country or have your own private well, the answer to this age-old question is simple… your groundwater has a high iron or mineral content.
If you live in the city that has a municipal water system, the answer to why your water may be less than crystal clear at times is more complicated as there is more than one reason for discoloration. These reasons include one or more of the following…
- Your plumbing, including the underground supply line through your yard, may be made of galvanized iron pipe. Iron pipe degrades over time and rust particles build up in your plumbing. The rusty water can show up occasionally especially when you are using a lot, or just a minimum amount of water. Rust particles can also break loose if your plumbing system is being repaired or a supply line is hit or bumped.
- Water heaters also degrade over time and rust deposits in the bottom of the tank build up and can be flushed through and into your plumbing system when there is higher-than-normal use.
- Water main lines owned by the city can also deteriorate and rust deposits can build up in the lines. These rust deposits can come loose when a main line breaks, a fire hydrant is opened, or there is a large demand for water in your area. City crews will annually, or more often, flush lines to remove rust deposits. This can help in the long run but is not 100% effective in removing discolored water from the distribution system.
Do You Have Questions About Your Water or Sewer Bill?
If you have questions regarding your water and sewer bill, or a service issue, please call City offices at (616) 794-1900, Ext. 217.
Pool Filling Discount
The City of Belding offers a pool filling discount on the sewer portion of the water bill. Please provide your name, billing address, telephone number and the two meter readings - one taken before filling the pool, and one taken after filling the pool.
Readings must be called in to 616-794-1900, Ext. 217 by May 31st to qualify for the sewer pool filling discount.
Call "Miss Dig"
Please remember to call MISS DIG at (800) 482-7171 before digging on your property.
Your call alerts utility companies so they can stake the location of utilities, helping you to avoid them while digging.
The utility companies can bill you for damages if they are not notified.
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City of Belding
120 S. Pleasant Street
Belding, Michigan 48809
Phone: (616) 794-1900
Fax: (616) 794-0091
Emergency: Phone 911
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
7:00am - 6:00pm
To Contact a City Department Head,
Visit our City Staff Directory Page