The Water Utility was first established in Marion in 1877 as a means of providing fire protection and potable water supply for a growing and thriving community. For over 100 years, the utility services grew and evolved to meet the ever-changing and demanding needs of the city. Sewer installation began in the late 1800s and was followed by the construction of the wastewater treatment plant beginning in 1938. In 1971, Marion Utilities was officially established and assumed responsibility for managing, operating, and maintaining water and wastewater services for the community. Storm water service was added in 1995. In the 2014, the Solid Waste utility was created by the city council and began operation in 2015