Nuts & Bolts Staff
An employee of the Plover Public Works Department will flush the village’s 1,040 hydrants twice a year—each spring and each fall.
The flushing cleans out the mains and removes any sediment that may cause discolored water. Residents can experience some discolored water during these times, but it’s typically harmless.
Plover’s public works employees maintain 95 miles of water mains, two water storage facilities, and three wells. The village serves over 4,000 customers and has the capacity to store 1.5 million gallons of water, according to its website.
Though the village was only incorporated in 1971, the Plover water system has been in existence since 1989. Like other municipalities, the village monitors its water supply for harmful bacteria, lead and copper, volatile organics, pesticides, and other items that require monitoring by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agency. Fluoride is also added to the water for the prevention of tooth decay.
The Village of Plover has in recent years experienced a lot of growth, and according to the Wisconsin Department of Administration’s Demographic Services Center, the village saw the largest population increase in Portage Co. since the 2010 U.S. Census.
According to data collected in the 2020 U.S. Census, Plover saw a 14 percent increase in population. The village grew by about 1,700 residents for a total population of about 13,600 people. The number of voting-age residents in the village also increased from 1,310 to 1,369.
The village abuts the Village of Whiting and Stevens Point to the north, and by the Town of Plover to the south. Each has its own municipal government.
The village is run by an elected board, with two trustees from each of the three wards in the village. The Board typically meets twice each month and meeting agendas can be found on the village’s website.
Leadership duties are split between an elected village president and an administrator hired by the Village Board. Tom Davies is the current village president. Former Plover Police Chief Dan Ault is the village’s administrator.