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Public Utilities
Utility Customer Service: 979-337-7400 (24 hours) | Customer Billing: 979-337-7520
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
About Public Utilities
Utility Departments
The Public Utilities Department has the responsibility of overseeing the day-to-day operations of 5 departments that make up the city's utility funds. This department has the responsibility of maintaining the infrastructure as well as providing utilities to the City of Brenham. The department receives and dispatches calls for all of the utility departments including power outages, sewer backups, low water pressure, water and gas leaks. Over 2,500 calls are received and dispatched each year.
The department interacts with multiple federal and state regulatory entities through reports and inspections. These agencies include, but are not limited to, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Energy Information Administration, North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Water Development Board, Railroad Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
The department is also directly responsible for the city's wastewater treatment, backflow prevention, and FOG program. These programs are monitored and controlled in order to protect the infrastructure that the city of Brenham owns and operates.
Strategic Objective
The Public Utilities Department of the City of Brenham strives to enhance and maintain the level of service it provides the citizens by continuing to develop plans for delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective products and services.
Contacts
- Utility Customer Service - 979-337-7400
- General Manager of Public Utilities - William Bissette 979-337-7510
- Deputy General Manager of Public Utilities - Alton Sommerfield 979-337-7400
- Utility Compliance Manager - Daniel McCracken 979-337-7415
- Director of Water and Wastewater - Bobby Keene, Jr. 979-337-7445
- Public Utilities Project Manager Shawn Bolenbarr 979-337-7414
- Electric Superintendent - Jason Lange 979-337-7427
- Gas Superintendent - Ande Bostain 979-337-7416
- GIS Specialist - Mason Patranella 979-337-7421
- Water Systems Superintendent - Jerry Saldivar 979-337-7434
- Wastewater Systems Superintendent - Stephen Scheffer 979-337-7445
- Water and Wastewater Construction Superintendent- Joshua Daniels 979-337-7438
- Utility Billing Supervisor - Courtney Dudenhoeffer 979-337-7523
- Assistant Utility Billing Supervisor - Bianka Saldivar
BEFORE YOU DIG - DIAL 811. IT'S THE LAW!
Color codes for Utilities Markings
- Water - Blue
- Sewer - Green
- Gas - Yellow
- Electric - Red
- Reclaimed Water - Purple
- Communications - Orange
- Proposed Evacuation - White
Digging can be dangerous. There are buried utilities throughout the city. Hitting a utility line can be both dangerous and costly. Without knowing the locations of the buried utilities, you jeopardize your safety as well as others and the inconvenience of being without the service.
Before beginning any project that requires you to move earth, DIAL 811. This is a free service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The locate center will contact the city and the utility departments will mark their lines within 2 business days. Wait the required time - at least 2 business days. Once lines are marked, dig with care and dig safely by hand-digging within 18 inches of any marking.
Downloads
Tariffs Rates
- Rates/Tariffs
- Rate Code Description
- Utility Tap Fees - view tariffs above
Additional Downloads
Grease/Grit Information
- Grease/Grit Waste Hauler Permit Application
- Grease Trap/Interceptor Installation Waiver Form
- Permitted Grease/Grit Waste Haulers
- Grease/Grit Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Distributed Generation Topics
Utility Consumption by City of Brenham
FY2023 electric, water, and natural gas consumed by City of Brenham - HB 3693
Electric Department
Downloads & Applications
- Energy Saving Tips
- Electric Rates
- Electric Tariffs
- Critical Care and Load Customer Information and Application
- Distributed Generation Information
Jason Lange - Electric Superintendent - Office: 979-337-7427
The City's Electric Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of 119 miles of distribution feeder lines. We focus on the specific needs of our customers by providing excellent electric service reliability and quick response time to power outages.
Electric Department Staff
Lineman installing fiber optic cable on utility pole in a bucket truck
The City receives electricity from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) through transmission lines running to the City's two substations. In these substations, electricity is "stepped down" from 138,000kv transmission voltage to 7,200kv distribution voltage. The electric system distributes that power throughout the City and it is eventually reduced to the required voltage levels by transformers placed at each home or business.
The electric department serves more than 6,900 customers. The customer service department is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you notice any low or downed power lines, street lights out, experience a power outage or have any other electrical problem, call our offices at 979-337-7400 any time.
Rates
Residential
The following shows the rates for residential single-phase service assuming 1000 KWh's of use in a billing cycle.
+
$0.02828 per KWh
$0.02828 x 1,000 KWh
+
$0.075 per KWh
$0.075 x 1,000 KWh
+
-$0.0090 per KWh
updated January 2024
=
Updated January 2024
Natural Gas Department
Phone: 979-337-7400
Downloads
Ande Bostain - Gas Superintendent - Office: 979-337-7416
Excess Flow Valve Customer Notification
Gas Department Staff
Stop - Call 811 before you Dig - there may be buried utilities
Call 811 before you dig and we will mark buried utilitiesNatural Gas is:
- Colorless and Odorless (the gas odor is added)
- Combustible
- Lighter than Air
- Non-toxic and Non-poisonous
Natural gas is delivered to the city's main gate station at a pressure of over 600 psi. The pressure is reduced to approximately 400 psi and an odorant is added for safety purposes. The gas is transported to the city's two other "gate" stations where the pressure is reduced to 60 psi or less. The gas is then distributed through a system of mains ranging in size from 1-1/4 inches to 6 inches in diameter and is delivered to homes and business at pressures from 4 oz. to several pounds.
The Gas Department is responsible for the maintenance and operation of 122 miles of gas mains and serves more than 4,100 customers. The gas department is dedicated to gas system safety. The City of Brenham Gas Department has consistently been rewarded for its "excellent" performance rating. In January 2019 the department was awarded its '100' performance rating by the Texas Municipal League's Intergovernmental Risk Pool demonstrating the City's commitment to safety and efficiency. The utility has earned a '99' or better since 2004, with 9 '100' ratings.
The City of Brenham Gas Department has received an Excellent Compliance Award from Texas Municipal League (TML) for each year between 2004 and 2021.
Water Department
Director of Water and Wastewater - Bobby Keene, Jr. 979-337-7445
Water Systems Superintendent - Jerry Saldivar 979-337-7434
Downloads
- 2023 Water Consumer Confidence Report
- 2022 Water Consumer Confidence Report
- 2021 Water Consumer Confidence Report
- Conservation Tips
- Drought Contingency Plan
- Water Tariffs
Educational
Sources for infographics:
Average household electric usage | Oceans and Freshwater Stats | Heating water | Average Shower times | CO2 & plastics | Agriculture
Water Treatment
The Water Treatment Plant is responsible for providing a safe and consistent supply of drinking water to the citizens of Brenham while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations.
The City of Brenham's water is supplied from Somerville Lake. The city currently has a contract with the Brazos River Authority for 4,200-acre-feet per year, with the plant rated at 6.98 million gallons per day.
Raw Water Pump Station
Water Treatment Plant
The water is pulled from the lake through an intake structure and pump station. The water is treated with Chlorine Dioxide as a primary disinfectant which also controls taste and odor. It is then delivered to Brenham through a 24" pipeline over a 14-mile route.
Once the water reaches the treatment plant, it is temporarily stored in a 750,000-gallon "raw water tank" where chloramines are added to complete the disinfection process.
The three towers, West Side, Church St., and Jeffries St., have a combined storage capacity of 1.1 million gallons. Total storage, including elevated and ground storage, is 3.7 million gallons.
The City of Brenham has an excellent long-range water supply, treatment, and distribution capacity. As a supplier of drinking water, the city must provide water that meets federal and state standards. As a consumer, you have the right to know if your water meets those standards.
West Side Water Tower
Water conservation is the most cost-effective way to reduce water demand. Using less water also puts less pressure on our sewage treatment facilities.
The Water Treatment Plant is operated 24 hours a day. In the event you notice that your water is discolored or has an unusual taste or odor, you can call the Public Utilities Dispatch office any time, 24 hours a day at 979-337-7400. They will dispatch a technician to investigate the problem.
Lead & Copper Inventory
Identify your service line - Survey
Topics:
- What is the Lead and Copper Inventory
- What is the City Doing
- How to Help - Identify my own service line Survey
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lead and Copper Inventory?
The EPA has released guidelines for all Water Systems in the nation to assist in eliminating lead exposure. One way this is to be done is for the identification and removal of lead service lines. Part of the new guidelines require water systems to perform an inventory of all service lines in their system, regardless of ownership. This inventory is to be completed by October 2024.
A service line is the piping that connects the home or business to the water main. The City-owned portion is the piping between the main and the meter with the customer-owned portion being the piping between the building and the meter. Customer-owned service lines may also include piping running between buildings. The customer owns piping inside the building but is not included as part of the service line.
Meter box filled with dirt
Meter box with exposed meter and service line
The service line is the white plastic pipe at the top of the image
What is the City doing?
Our records do not indicate any lead service lines in our system. However, to ensure full compliance, the City is currently identifying as many service lines as possible in the event there is any lead in the system. If any are found, lead service lines owned by the City will be replaced. If lead is found on the customer’s side, details may be given on the steps a customer can take to prevent exposure.
Eventually, visual inspections of service lines will need to be performed to get a full inventory. The visual inspection will require uncovering both the service line from the street to the meter and the service line from the meter to the structure. To do this crews will be going to each house that has not been identified to date and will try to identify the lines by first cleaning out the meter box. If both lines cannot be identified inside the meter box, then a small hole will be dug on both sides of the meter box to uncover the lines. Afterwards, the hole will be filled in and the service crew will move to the next house.
City crew use vacuum excavation to expose the service line.
Exposed Service Line - white plastic PVC pipe
Inspection completed with formerly exposed service line covered with dirt
If any are found, lead service lines owned by the City will be replaced. If lead is found on the customer’s side, details may be given on the steps a customer can take to prevent exposure.
How to help
Identify your service line - Survey
Please fill out this short survey that can assist us in identifying your customer-owned service line. By filling out the survey, a visual inspection may not need to be performed. However, an inspection of the City-owned line may still need to be done.
More information: We will be posting a map of areas that have been inventoried and when the inventory is complete, it will be posted online as per TCEQ requirements. You can also check out the EPA’s website on the Lead and Copper Rule for more information.
Learn more about the Lead and Copper Inventory from the EPA here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still be exposed to lead: Even if there is no lead piping in the system, there could still be lead in your system. Houses built before 1989 could have lead solder used in the joining of copper pipe and plumbing fixtures could also contain lead if manufactured before 2014.
Am I at risk: We monitor the lead levels in the water regularly and historically we have never detected levels of lead in the system. The City of Brenham Water Treatment Plant manages the corrosiveness of the water, preventing any lead in the system from being leeched into the drinking water. This corrosion control also produces scale in the pipes which acts as a barrier to reduce the dissolving of lead, if present, into the water. If you are still concerned, contact the City and we can perform a test of your water to verify it is lead-free. You could also contact a plumber to perform an inspection of your house to verify the absence of lead.
Wastewater
Director of Water and Wastewater - Bobby Keene, Jr. 979-337-7445
Wastewater Systems Superintendent - Stephen Scheffer 979-337-7412
Waste Water Staff
Treated Waste Water Effluent leaving the plant
Educational
Reclaimed Water
Wastewater Treatment
Waste Water Inlet Lift Station
Waste Water Aeration Blowers
The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is responsible for the treatment of wastewater received from the wastewater collection system for discharge into local creeks. The wastewater must be treated to meet strict federal and state limits before being discharged.
The wastewater is received by gravity flow to the treatment plant. Once at the plant, the wastewater enters the main lift station and is pumped into the headworks where (2) mechanical bar screens remove large objects from the wastewater. The wastewater then flows through a grit chamber where sand and grit is removed.
After this process, the wastewater flows into a diverter box where the flow is divided between the new aeration basin and the old aeration basin. The wastewater is then aerated for additional treatment with bacteria and other organisms which help breakdown the solids.
Waste Water Aeration Basin
Waste Water ClarifierOnce this is done, the wastewater enters the clarifiers where the solids settle out. The clear supernatant then flows to the chlorine contact chamber where it is treated with Chlorine, followed by dechlorination with Sulphur Dioxide in order to discharge into Hog Branch Creek.
The wastewater must be treated to meet strict federal and state limits before being discharged. The remaining solids from the bottom of the clarifiers are pumped into the 4 large digesters which also help break down the solids by final aeration, organisms, and bacteria. The remaining solids are then pumped to the belt press and treated as Class "A" biosolids which are then sold to local farmers and ranchers as a soil enhancer.
The WWTP has the capacity to treat up to 3.55 million gallons per day.
Currently, the WWTP is has expanded its operation to include a Reclaimed Water Station which allows bulk water sales of effluent to be used by contractors during construction rather than using potable water.
Water & Wastewater Construction
Director of Water and Wastewater - Bobby Keene, Jr. 979-337-7445
Water and Wastewater Construction Superintendent - Joshua Daniels 979-337-7438
Water Construction
The Water Distribution Department is responsible for the connection, operation, and maintenance of 145 miles of water mains, 2,800 water valves, and over 1041 fire hydrants. Water is distributed through a series of mains ranging in size from 2 inches to 12 inches in diameter. The department serves more than 6,800 customers and is on call 24 hours a day.
Services provided include checking for water leaks, low water pressure, and water main breaks. Should you experience any of these problems, please call us anytime, 24 hours a day, at 979.337.7400.
Other responsibilities of Water Construction are
- Low water pressure
- Needing water turned on or off at the meter to do repairs in your house
- Fire hydrant maintenance and flow testing
- Water quality issues
- Repairs to city mains
- The department is dedicated to providing a safe and reliable supply of potable water to all residents and commercial/industrial accounts located in the Brenham area
Wastewater Construction
The Wastewater Collection Department is responsible for the maintenance and operation of 139 miles of sewer mains, 6,243 sewer connections, over 2,000 manholes and serves more than 6,400 customers.
Responsibilities of this department include:
- Installation of wastewater mains
- Wastewater connections
- Routine manhole inspections
- Wastewater blockages or overflows
- Wastewater odors
The department is also responsible for inflow and infiltration issues. This is done by conducting an annual smoke testing program. Each year, one-quarter of the city is tested. This form of testing will show indications of a broken sewer line. Owners of properties indicating an inflow problem are notified by mail that a repair of this is needed. In general, the repairs required are minor. Once the problem has been corrected, a technician will inspect the repair for verification.
Drainage Utility Charge
Download: Tariff
What is the Drainage Utility Charge?
The Drainage Utility Charge is for (and can only be used for) drainage projects or drainage maintenance. multiple projects have been identified as needing improvements and maintenances of more than $4 million. These projects can be seen below.
Why is a Drainage Utility Charge needed?
The city has been setting aside about $300,000 a year for different maintenance tasks for drainage, however, there are many areas in town that are prone to flooding and as development (and impervious cover) continues, additional areas will need to be addressed. This charge will bring in about $660,000 a year to cover maintenance and pay for the more than $4 million in drainage projects listed above.
What will my charge be?
Residents will be charged a flat $3.75 drainage charge. This flat charge is 1 Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) and is equal to 2,685 square feet of impervious cover. Non-residential property owners will be assessed a fee from 4 tiers based on the amount of property covered with impervious material. To view what fee your property will be assessed, you can check our non-residential property map (coming later this year).
Residential - $3.75 a month per lot
Vacant/Natural lot - no monthly fee
Non-residential - based on the size of the property vs. impermeable service area.
Church/House of Worship - based on the size of property vs. impermeable service area.
Multi-Family residence - based on the size of the property vs. impermeable service area.
Apartments - based on the size of the property vs. impermeable service area.
Blinn, State Supported Living - Exempt (no monthly fee)
* 1 ERU = 2,685 sf impervious area
What if I want to appeal?
The appeals process is as follows:
- Submit a written adjustment request to Utility Customer Service. The form (found here) or picked up at Utility Customer Service in City Hall. Supplemental information and documentation may be required. This form can be turned in at Utility Customer Service in City Hall or emailed.
- The City has 15 business days to review the appeal and respond to the requester. Adjustments are prospective AND may be retroactive for no greater than three billings prior to the adjustment request. If the City denies the appeal, you have 15 business days from the date of notification to appeal the decision to the City Manager. The Burden of Proof is the responsibility of the requester.