City of Knox Utilities

Street Department

The Street Department is responsible for the following:

• Maintaining streets and right of ways within city limits
• Roadside mowing
• Tree trimming and removal
• Roadside trash pickup
• Street sweeping
• Paint striping
• Asphalt paving and patching
• Alley grading and stoning
• Leaf collection
• Brush pick-up, snow plowing and removal
• Erect, replace and maintain signs
• Service and repair all equipment

Things to Know:

The city will pick up and remove brush every Thursday for residents that do normal pruning of trees and bushes.

A compost facility is located north of City Hall at the corner of Shield and Mound St. where grass clippings, leaves and brush can be dropped off.

Wood chips and composted humus can be picked up next to the salt shed also located by compost drop off site.

Leaf collection usually starts the 2nd week in October and runs through Thanksgiving. A spring leaf collection is done on the first week in April and again in May. Leaves should be raked to the curb side in wind rows (not alleys).

To cut and excavate in a city street or alley you must first apply for a permit at the clerk treasurers office located in city hall.

Water Department

The City of Knox Water Department is responsible for the following:

• Taking care of the water plant paper work
• Pumping of water
• Taking care of the distribution system that gets the water to customers
• Maintenance of the distribution system
• Water Taps
• Reading of meters
• Fixing water breaks

Our basic tap charges for Commercial and Industrial Connections are:

Up to Two-inch connection: $500.00 + the cost of the meter (the city installs the meter)

Two-inch to Six-inch Connection: $1,000.00 + the cost of the meter (the city does not install the meter)

Greater than Six-inches: $1,500.00 + the cost of the meter (the city does not install the meter)

Street Department

Water Department

WasteWater Department

Wastewater Department

Fees. The city shall perform all tap-ons or connections, providing all labor and materials, once the private sewer line is within one foot of the public sewer. The cost of this service provided by the city shall be paid by the owner prior to any work beginning on the installation of the owner's system. 

The Knox Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a Class II treatment facility with an average design flow of  .7 MGD (700,000 gallons per day).  The treatment process consists of screenings and grit removal, secondary treatment, UV disinfection and sludge removal. The treated water is then discharged to the Yellow River. Daily maintenance keeps the WWTP functioning properly. 

The wastewater is transported to the treatment facility through twenty-four miles of underground sewer mains.  There are twelve lift-stations located throughout the collection system that assist in the transport of the wastewater. The WWTP personnel use special equipment to routinely jet and clean the sewer mains and lift-stations of grease build-up, debris, and roots.   

You can help eliminate sewer back-ups by not flushing these items: 

1.      used cooking oil, grease, and food scraps

2.      baby wipes and diapers

3.      rags and towels

4.      cotton swabs

5.      syringes

6.      candy and other food wrappers

7.      cleaning sponges

8.      disposable toilet brushes

9.      toys

10.  plastic items of any description

11.  aquarium gravel or kitty litter

12.  rubber items such as latex gloves

13.  cigarette butts

14.  hair

15.  sanitary napkins

16.  underwear 

If you are having sewer problems, please call the WWTP at 574-772-2961, during regular business hours. We will check the sewer main to ensure that it is working properly.  For after hour emergencies, please call the Police Dept. at 574-772-3771.  Be sure to leave your name, address, and a phone number.