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Public Utilities
The City of Ionia Public Utilities Department oversees water supply, water distribution, and wastewater treatment operations. Our outstanding city staff is highly trained, and our facilities are regularly used for tours and training by the State of Michigan because of our commitment to excellence.
Homeowner Utility Responsibility
Clarification for homeowners on maintenance responsibilities for water and sewer lines is provided in the Water and Sewer Responsibility Fact Sheet (PDF). If you have questions on these responsibilities, contact the City's Department of Public Utilities.
Water and Sewer Rates
Our rates continue to be among the lowest in Michigan. A utility bill will be sent to you quarterly, every three months. Your bill is broken into sections to assist you with appropriately tracking costs. Effective July 1, 2025, the utility bill rates are as follows:
Commodity Charge
City Charge Per 1,000 Gallons
- Water, $4.60
- Sewer, $4.90
Township Charge Per 1,000 Gallons
- Water, $6.90
- Sewer, $4.90
Facilities Maintenance Charge
The City charges a facilities maintenance charge which assists in covering the cost of retiring outstanding debt on the water and sanitary sewer systems. These charges are billed based on a residential equivalent unit (REUs) with one REU equaling 22,000 gallons of usage.
City Charge (Per REU)
- Water Facilities, $34.00
- Sewer Facilities, $45.00
Township Charge (Per REU)
- Water Facilities, $51.00
- Sewer Facilities, $45.00
Fire Suppression Charge
The city levies a $525 fire suppression system charge per quarter for commercial customers with internal sprinkler fire suppression systems. This charge covers the cost of the city's cross-connection program and the readiness to serve charge for the water service line that feeds the sprinkler fire suppression system.
Hydrant Flushing
Each spring and fall, staff flush all 579 fire hydrants across the community’s 68 miles of underground water mains. Hydrant flushing helps remove iron sediment from the water system, improving overall water quality. Crews typically flush each hydrant for about 30 minutes, or until water quality parameters are met. The full flushing program takes approximately six weeks to complete, depending on weather conditions. The process uses about 15 million gallons of water annually to clean the mains. To reduce impacts on traffic and businesses, staff also conduct nighttime flushing in high-impact areas such as major highways, retail corridors, school zones, and business districts.
Wellhead Protection Program
The City is committed to protecting the groundwater that supplies your drinking water. Our water system draws from nine groundwater wells located on the north side of the City. In 2003, the State of Michigan conducted a source water assessment in accordance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act to evaluate our system's susceptibility to contamination. Using a seven-tiered scale ranging from "very low" to "high," the assessment considered factors such as geologic sensitivity, water chemistry, and potential contaminant sources. Our water source was determined to have a "high" susceptibility rating, which means we must take proactive steps to safeguard it. To do so, the City participates in Michigan's voluntary Wellhead Protection Program. The City is currently updating our Wellhead Protection Plan. This effort identifies the areas contributing groundwater to our wells, evaluates potential sources of contamination, establishes management strategies to reduce risk, and strengthens public education and emergency planning. By planning and working with local, county, and state partners, the City is committed to protecting our groundwater and ensuring a safe, reliable drinking water supply.
Additional Resources:
Water Service Line Inspections & Lead Safety
- Why This Matters
- What We Have Done
- What to Expect During Inspections
- How You Can Help
- More Information
To ensure safe, clean drinking water, the City of Ionia inspects and replaces galvanized and lead water service lines. Michigan’s Lead and Copper Rule requires the City to take these steps to reduce potential lead exposure in drinking water.
Since 2023, the City has inspected and replaced water lines as part of ongoing infrastructure projects. By 2024, crews had completed more than 340 inspections and submitted the results to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. The City is now in Phase 2 of the project, working to inspect nearly 1,500 additional water service connections — out of approximately 2,800 total.
If your home has a galvanized water service line, it may have been previously connected to lead. These lines are now classified as lead service lines and must be replaced. The City will schedule and complete the replacement at no cost to you.
The City may select your home for a state-required inspection to verify the materials used in your water service line. The inspection includes three key steps:
- Interior Inspection: A City representative will make a quick in-home visit to check the pipe material where it enters your home.
- Private-Side Excavation: Crews will dig a small hole on your property near the curb.
- Public-Side Excavation: Crews will dig another small hole on the City’s side of the water shutoff.
Crews will restore all disturbed areas to their original condition. If we confirm your line contains lead, we will notify you within 30 days and provide guidance to help reduce lead exposure.
Run Your Water: If you haven’t used your water for several hours, run the tap:
- For at least 5 minutes, if you have a lead or galvanized line.
- For 30 seconds to 2 minutes, if you don’t.
Use Cold Water: Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.
Clean Faucet Aerators: Remove and rinse faucet aerators every six months.
Use a Certified Filter: Choose a water filter that meets NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction.
For more information, please refer to EGLE: Reducing Potential Lead Exposure (PDF).
To learn more about lead in drinking water, how to reduce exposure, and federal safety standards, visit the EPA's Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water.
Visit Michigan.gov/MiLeadSafe for additional state-specific information.
You can also read the City's annual Water Quality Reports.
If you have any questions, contact Public Utilities Director Joe Lafler at 616.523.0165 or jlafler@ci.ionia.mi.us.
If you think you have a leak, please check your meter before calling the City. For further instructions on checking your meter, review the provided documents:
Hydrant flushing in the City of Ionia is performed in the spring and fall each year. When flushing occurs in your area, your water may become discolored.
Thank you for your cooperation and attention in this matter.
For more information, contact us at 616-523-0167.
At the May 23, 2011 meeting, the Ionia Regional Utilities Authority (IRUA) Board of Trustees adopted rules and regulations which establish uniform requirements for the connection, use, operation, and maintenance of the IRUA wastewater treatment plant.
For more information, view the IRUA Rules and Regulations (PDF).
City Council Representatives
- Tom Millard, Delegate / Troy Waterman, Alternate
- John Milewski, II, Delegate / Tim Lee, Alternate
- Richard Starr, II, Delegate / Margot Cook, Alternate
- Precia Garland Delegate / Dawn Ketchum, Alternate
Township Representatives
- Berlin Township: Bob Bennett / Wanda Marcussen, Alternate
- Easton Township: John Dinehart / Don Rittersdorf, Alternate
- Ionia Township: Jamie Stephens / Aric Pitchford, Alternate
- Orange Township: Thomas Green / Joshua First, Alternate
For more details, access the IRUA Meeting Schedule (PDF).
New residents or businesses must sign a Water/Sewer Contract at Ionia City Hall, 114 N Kidd Street, Ionia, Michigan 48846 or complete the online Water and Sewer Service Application. For more information, please contact us at 616-527-4170, ext. 5141. Deposits or fees must accompany this contract. The fees charged by the city are as follows:
- For residents who rent property inside the city limits, there is a $120 water deposit, a $120 sewer deposit, along with a $4 application fee. The deposit is returned after you close out your service. Any remaining amount is deducted from this deposit with the remaining amount returned.
- For residents who own property and live in that property, only a $4 application fee is required.
- For Easton Township renters, there is a $120 water deposit, a $120 sewer deposit, along with a $4 application fee. The deposit is returned, less the amount of the final bill, when you close out your service.
- For Sherwood Forest Modular Home Park residents, there is a $120 water deposit, a $120 sewer deposit, along with a $4 transfer fee. The deposit is applied to the final bill and the balance is returned.
- For South Ionia and Ionia Township homeowners, there is a $4 application fee. For renters, there is a $120 water deposit, and a $120 sewer deposit, along with the $4 application fee.
Moving
If you are planning on moving, please let us know as soon as possible so a final reading can be taken and a proper billing produced. If you are buying property, make sure that the final bill has been paid by the previous owner, prior to closing.
Resolution 2024-11 - Water and Sewer Fees (PDF) establishes the current water and sewer tap fees.. This resolution changed the fee structure to be based on the water meter size.
Water
Water Connection Charge by Meter Size
Water Meter Size | Effective 7/1/24 |
5/8 inch | $2,600 |
3/4 inch | $3,900 |
1 inch | $6,500 |
1 1/2 inch | $13,000 |
2 inch | $20,800 |
3 inch | $39,000 |
4 inch | $65,000 |
6 inch | $130,000 |
8 inch | $208,000 |
10 inch | $299,000 |
The tap fee is designed to be the customer's buy-in to the City water system.
Sewer
Sewer Connection Charge by Water Meter Size
Water Meter Size | Effective 7/1/24 |
5/8 inch | $2,400 |
3/4 inch | $3,600 |
1 inch | $6,000 |
1 1/2 inch | $12,000 |
2 inch | $19,200 |
3 inch | $36,000 |
4 inch | $60,000 |
6 inch | $120,000 |
8 inch | $192,000 |
10 inch | $276,000 |
The tap fee is designed to be the customer's buy-in to the City sewer system.
New Businesses & Residents
If you are a new business or resident in Ionia and making a new tap on our water and sewer system, contact City Hall to arrange for the tap-in. Phone 616-523-0147.
Download the required Public Infrastructure Permit Application (PDF).
For water and sewer payment assistance, visit 211 of Michigan at mi211.org for a list of organizations that may be able to help.