Bryan Municipal Utilities

Bryan Municipal Utilities began over 100 years ago with the establishment of the Bryan waterworks in 1892. Electric service was added in 1896 when the residents of Bryan voted to create their own electric company. Communications services were added in 1998 to provide Bryan with a fiber optic system designed to provide television and high-speed Internet access and data transfer. Presently, the utility serves approximately 6,000 customers. Since its formation in 1906, the Board of Public Affairs has developed the policies that govern the utility's operation.

Bryan has always been famous for its water. In fact, there were once so many flowing artesian wells in Bryan that it became known as "Fountain City" soon after its founding in 1840. The Water Department has provided water service to the citizens of Bryan since 1892. Today we supply an average of 1.5 million gallons of safe drinking water every day. Nearly 70 miles of underground pipe deliver water to more than 3,800 homes and businesses. Each year our water crews replace about 4,000 feet of main line to keep the distribution system in good condition.

Bryan Municipal Utilities is dedicated to protecting and maintaining the high quality of Bryan's public water supply. As part of our protection efforts, the Bryan Water Department maintains a backflow prevention and cross-connection control program. Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of water, leading to contamination into the distribution system of a public water system. All cross connections pose a potential health risk. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency requires backflow preventers to be tested every 12 months by a certified tester.

In 1897, Bryan's new steam-powered generators were started for the first time. Two 60-light Wood machines provided direct current for 63 arc street lights and 20 arc lamps used for inside lighting. By 1906, the utility abandoned steam power and installed two 225-hp American diesel engines powering 150-kilowatt generators. After a series of larger diesel engine generators, Bryan installed its first combustion turbine generator in 1962. The engine of the 5,500-kilowatt General Electric combustion turbine was basically a stationary jet engine capable of burning either natural gas or diesel fuel.

It is the goal of Bryan Municipal Utilities to ensure safe, reliable service to their customers and to maintain access to utility structures. Trees growing too close to power lines can become a hazard and contribute to power outages. Ice, snow, and wind can break branches growing above and among wires and cause the wires to malfunction or break. Trees are one the most common reasons for utility outages. Pruning trees to avoid contact with electrical conductors and equipment is required to maintain reliable electrical service, increase the safety of crews and the public, and is mandated by Ohio and Federal law.

Outdoor lighting is one of the best ways to increase your home's security and safety. We supply, install and maintain security lights for our residential, commercial and industrial customers. NOTE: Security lighting is available to customers where utility's standard outdoor lighting unit can be installed on existing utility pole and without requiring any extension or addition to existing secondary or primary distribution facilities. Where additional facilities are required, the customer shall pay in advance the total installation cost for the additional distribution facilities (poles, wires, and appurtenances) as are required.