Water and Sewer

• Pay water and Sewer bills online

  Make and manage payments for your water and sewer service using our City Hall Systems portal.

• How to read your water bill

  View a PDF guide to the City's water bills.

• Water and sewer rates

  View current water and sewer charges per 100 cubic feet as well as base water and sewer charges.

• Permit fee schedule

  View a fee schedule for each of the City's water and sewer services.

• Abatement policy and request form

  Read our policy on abatements for water and sewer bills, download an abatement request form.

• Exemptions for seniors and others

  The Discount Program allows income-eligible Somerville seniors, surviving spouses, and minors to receive a 25 percent discount on their water and sewer bills.

• Request a final water and Sewer bill

  Request a final meter reading and bill of sale to use during an ownership transfer.

• Monitoring Your Water Usage with WaterScope

  You can learn more about your new smart water meter here And how it will help you monitor your usage.  
  
  If your meter has been recently replaced but you don’t have a login for WaterScope yet, please fill complete the Opt-In Form and send it to water@somervillema.gov. 
  
  This video will help you navigate through the WaterScope Portal, as well as this quick reference guide. 

Water Services

Dial 311 (617-666-3311 outside Somerville) to report a problem with water or sewer service. 

Among the water services offered by the Somerville Water & Sewer Department:

• Responding to emergency calls: no water 
• Mark -outs (Digsafe) 
• Installation of meters and automatic reading devices 
• Inspections of new water mains and water lines 
• Flushing water mains 
• Replacing water mains 
• Repairing/replacing hydrants 
• Exercising valves/repair or replace valves 
• Water sampling (DEP required) 
• Meter reading 
• Billing     
   

Prevent & Fix Leaks: WaterScope Sign-Up

The average leak can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, with ten percent of properties having leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day causing high water and sewer bills. Common types of leaks found are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix, requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings. Fixing easily corrected water leaks can save ratepayers about 10 percent on their water bills.To learn more about water leaks and what you can do please visit https://www.somervillema.gov/waterleaks.

Sewer Services

Dial 311 (617-666-3311 outside Somerville) to report a problem with water or sewer service. 

Among the sewer services offered by the Somerville Water & Sewer Department: 

• Responding to emergency calls: backups 
• Catch basin cleaning 
• Repairing City sewers 
• Reducing Inflow and Infiltration 
• Monitoring Pump Stations  

For Tenants and Landlords

Dial 311 (617-666-3311 outside Somerville) to report a problem with water or sewer service. 

Permits and Info For Contractors

In conjunction with the requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection 310 CMR 22.22, the following procedures apply: 

• No plumbing permit shall be issued for cross connection installations requiring Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow Preventers or Double Check Valve Assemblies until the application for such permit is accompanied by a letter of approval from the Department, its Designee or public water system. (http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/drinking/water-systems-ops.html#8) 
• The Owner or Agent must deliver design data sheets, a drawing of the plans for installation of the reduced pressure backflow preventer or double check valve assembly, along with a $25 permit fee, to the Water Superintendent prior to the issuance of a building permit and prior to the installation of the device. 
• The Water Superintendent will issue a permit. 
• If the device is installed prior to obtaining the permit, the permit fee will be doubled to $50. 
• No more than fourteen days from the installation of the device, the Owner or agent must schedule an appointment for inspecting the device installation. 
• No water will be turned on unless the Water Superintendent has notification from the Cross Connection Control tester that the device passes the required test.  

For approval of new water line installation/upgrade and to have the water turned on: 

• Owner/agent must deliver a copy of the utility plans to the Water Superintendent. 
• The Water Superintendent issues the permit for a water tap based on these plans. 
• Prior to backfilling the trench, the owner/agent must call the Water Foreman for an inspection of the piping and the meter installation. 

Forms, Reports, & More Info

Forms 

• Billing Dispute Form
• Drain Layer License Application (Issued by the City Clerk’s Office) 
• Final Water Bill Request Form 
• Hydrant Permit 
• New Water Service Application 
• Water Main Tap Permit 

Water Quality Reports

• MWRA Drinking Water Test Results (PDF)
• MWRA Brochure
• Important Message to Customers About Lead in Drinking Water 
  • Letter from the Director

Easy Ways to Protect Our Waterways 

• Preventing Water Pollution from De-Icer Usage
• Keeping Storm Drains Clear of Leaves

Other Information

• Annual Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Report
• Backflow Device Design Data and Numbering Plan
• Cross-Connections Control Fact Sheet
• How to Read Your Water Bill
• Hydrant Use Policy
• Important Message to Customers About Lead in Drinking Water
• List of Licensed Drain Layers
• MWRA Drinking Water Test Results
• Neighborhood Street Reconstruction Policies & Plans
• Permit Fee Schedule
• Request for Abatement Consideration Form
• Senior Discount Program Letter
• Sewer, Drain, and Infiltration/Inflow Policy
• Submetering Laws for Landlords

Water Meter Replacement

The Water department routinely replaces automated meter readers and water meters on the inside and outside of homes and businesses in order to ensure equipment functions properly. Department staff make every effort to contact property owners regarding necessary repairs. When contact information is incorrect or no response is received, Department personnel may visit a property to obtain access to malfunctioning equipment.  

In all cases, personnel will be upholding recommended health guidelines, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and practicing safe physical distancing. Meter technicians and supporting personnel will always be wearing identifiable uniforms that say either "City of Somerville" or "Mass Installation." Please call 311 or e-mail water@somervillema.gov with any questions or concerns. 

The Water and Sewer Department has contracted with Mass Installation Inc. to replace the water meter or meter transmitting unit (MTU) at your home or business and has contracted with Mass Installation, Inc.  

Participation is mandatory, but there is no cost to you for any of the work.  

To schedule an appointment for your meter replacement, please contact Mass Installation, Inc. at 1-800-933-1360, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. You can also leave a message with their 24-hour answering service.  

Mass Installation will schedule an appointment time that is convenient for you. The average installation time is approximately less than one (1) hour. 

You may also go to http://massinstallation.com/appointment/ to request an appointment time through our website.

For additional information and answers to some frequently asked questions, please click here.