The public utilities department serves as the Public Works Agent for Ottawa County and provides public works services, relative to water and wastewater, to the County’s governmental units.  These services include financial assistance, administrative assistance, and operational assistance.

The financial assistance is primarily provided through the sale of County bonds.  As part of the bonding process, a community’s utility rates and charges are reviewed.  In addition, the department has been involved with many of the state and federal financial assistance programs (CDBG grants, FHA grants and loans, and SRF loans) and can help a community through these funding options.

The administrative assistance includes utility contract administration, construction contract administration, and utility planning.  The department is involved with many wholesale water and wastewater contracts, water and wastewater treatment plant construction contracts, water distribution and wastewater collection construction contracts, and feasibility and reliability studies.

The operational assistance is provided by three licensed water and wastewater operators.  These services include operation and maintenance of five water distribution systems, five wastewater collection systems, three wastewater treatment plants, and one groundwater treatment facility.  These dedicated operators respond to emergencies during all hours and weather conditions to ensure that the vital water and wastewater services remain operational.