Who do I call for water/sewer issues that are not bill related?
Department of Public Works (Water Division)
Phone # 508-624-6910 Ex 7400
What are the water and sewer rates and are they the same for all uses?
Rates are the same for irrigation, pool, residential and commercial uses. The city bills in cubic feet (cf). For fiscal year 2006, the water rate is $3.73 per 100cf and the sewer rate is $2.80 per 100cf
What are the equivalent gallons for a cubic foot?
There are 7.48 gallons of water in a cubic foot of water. To convert gallons to cubic feet, divide the total gallons by 7.48. To convert cubic feet to gallons, multiply the cubic feet by 7.48
How do you calculate my sewer charges?
Sewer charges are based on water usage. If you use 10cf of water, you will be billed for 10cf in sewer.
When should I receive my bill?
Commercial and industrial customers meters are read and billed monthly. Residential customers are billed four times a year. The date bills are mailed is dependent on the section of the city where you reside. Two bills are from true (actual) readings from your meters and two bills are estimates. Estimates are calculated by adding your previous four readings and dividing by four.
Why do I have an inside water meter and an outside water meter?
The city’s meter readers cannot access inside meters to take readings when property owners are not there. The city installed outside meters to allow readings to be taken when property owners are not available. It is the obligation of the property owner to periodically check their inside and outside meters to make sure they match. It is recommended that this be done two times a year.
Who can fix my water meter?
Meters are maintained by the City of Marlborough for single family and two family homes. Single family and two family homeowners should call the Department of Public Works, Water Division at 508-624-6910 Ex 7400 for meter repair. Multifamily, commercial and industrial customers must contact their own plumbers to have their meters repaired.
My inside and outside meter readings do not match, what should I do?
If you find that your meters do not match, you should contact the Department of Public Works, Water Division at 508-624-6910 Ex 7400 to set up an appointment to have the meters checked and reset. The city will do this for single family and 2 family customers. Multi family, commercial, and industrial customers will need to contact a plumber to fix the meters. The Department of Public Works will need to be contacted to set and reseal the repaired meters.
Why do I owe more for water and sewer now that I have had my inside and outside meters fixed?
When the city or your plumber fixed your meters, a reading was taken from the inside meter. The meter reading on the inside of the property was higher then the reading on the outside of the property. The inside meter is a mechanical device and the reading changes as the water flows through the meter. The outside meter is a device that changes reading by receiving small electrical impulses generated by the inside meter. Over time electrical resistance and other conditions cause the outside meter to slow down and register readings that are lower than the actual usage. Therefore, the city uses the inside meter as the meter that reflects the actual water usage of a property.
How do I set up a separate meter for a sprinkler system?
Your plumber has or can obtain all of the required information to set up a separate water meter system from the Department of Public Works, Water Division at 508-624-6910 Ex 7400. The City does not allow deduction meters and all water used is billed at the same rate as any other water account. Once the system and meters are installed, the
Department of Public Works needs to inspect, reset and seal the meters. They can be reached at the above phone number.
How do I obtain a final water and sewer bill?
When a homeowner or business owner knows the closing date for the property being sold, they need to call the billing office at 508-460-3745 to set up an appointment for a final read. When you call, you need to provide the new owners name and billing address if different from the address of the property being sold. The city does final reads only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Therefore, it is important to call as soon as you know your closing date. Appointments must be made when someone will be at the property to meet the meter reader – Very important, someone must be at the property for the appointment. Our meter reader must get inside the property to read the inside meter and, if no one is there, we will not be able to take a reading. If this happens, a new appointment will need to be set up with the
Department of public works for the next available date.
The final bill will be available for pick up the day after the reading after 12:00 noon.
Can I get an abatement for the sewer charges associated with filling my new pool?
The city allows a one time sewer abatement for a new pool. To receive an abatement a letter needs to be sent to The City of Marlborough, Office of the Water Registrar 140 Main Street, Marlborough, Ma. 01752. The letter should include the dimensions of the pool, whether it is an above ground or in ground pool and the gallons of water needed to fill the pool. We will abate a portion of the sewer charges on the next scheduled water bill based on a formula we use in the billing office.
Can I obtain abatement for sewer charges associated with seasonal filling and refilling of my pool?
The city does not allow abatements for water to top off the pool at the beginning of the season or for water used during the swimming season to top off the level of water in the pool
I need to refill my pool because I had the liner repaired. Can I obtain abatement for the sewer charges?
If a homeowner needs to replace the pool liner the Water Registrar may allow another sewer abatement on the water used to refill the pool. You will need to send a letter with the same information as above and you will also need to enclose a copy of the bill for the new liner.
What do I do if I think my bill is wrong?
You should contact the billing office with your concerns if you think your bill is inaccurate. Please have the current meter reading when you call. If it’s a case of a meter being read incorrectly you need to call the correct reading into the office and we will adjust the bill. If it’s a case of inside and outside meters readings not matching please understand you must be billed for the usage on the inside meter as that is the meter the water passes through. All other issues will be investigated and a decision made after reviewing all the facts. Part of this investigation may require you to contact the Department of Public Works, Water Division at 508-624-6910 Ex 7400 to have them remove the meter and test it at the shop. The property owner will need to be present at the DPW when the
meter is tested. The billing office will reassess the charges if the meter proves to be faulty. No changes will be made if the meter proves to be working correctly.
If you still feel there is a problem after talking to the billing office you can contact the
Water Registrar to further dispute the problem.
I had a leak in my water pipe going to my kitchen sink. Can I obtain an abatement for the sewer, as none of the water went down the drain?
The city does not give abatements for leaks.
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