Have your property’s lead or non-copper water service line replaced, free of charge.
Contact
Director of Water & Sewer
Hours
Monday - Wednesday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday
8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Phone
(617) 625-6600 ext 5850FAX: (617) 591-7991
Address
Water Department
17 Franey Rd.
Somerville,
MA 02145
Helpful Links
About the Water and Sewer Department
About the Water and Sewer Department
Important Information & Alerts
Water Safety Advisory for Reopening Buildings and Businesses
Businesses and buildings that have been closed when authorized for reopening are advised to flush the cold water taps of stagnant water before using the water for consumption purposes like drinking or cooking. To request more information, please email [email protected].
CDC.gov: Guidance for Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced Operation
COVID-19: Water and Sewer Department Office Closure and Water Bill Info
By order of the Mayor, City offices are closed to the public.
If you have a water or sewer related emergency, please call 311 (617-666-3311 outside of Somerville).
If you need a final water reading for property sale, please fill out the "Request a Final Water Bill" form in your browser or PDF viewer and email the completed PDF to [email protected]. Due to office closures, final bills will be emailed or mailed to you. Payment will need to be mailed to the Treasurer's Office at City Hall or placed in the lockbox mailbox outside of City Hall.
Treasurer/Collector's Office
City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143
Because so many have been negatively impacted by current economic conditions, the Mayor has also authorized the treasury department to waive interest and penalties on tax, water and excise bills that were due on March 10th or later, provided those bills are paid by June 29th.
Billing inquiries and requests for address changes will not be fulfilled until City offices are reopened. Find updates and information on City services and the COVID-19 crisis at www.somervillema.gov/Coronavirus
Ongoing Water Meter Maintenance and Repair
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 [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
It is the Water Department’s mission to maintain and improve the City’s potable water distribution system to ensure high quality and dependability, in a fiscally responsible manner, using state of the art technology. The Water Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the City's approximately 118 miles of water mains, 1,500 fire hydrants and 15,600 water service connections and water meters. Department employees also assist in snow removal, emergency response, and other Public Works Departmental functions as needed.
Water Billing and Services
- 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
Sewer Services
- Responding to emergency calls: backups
- Catch basin cleaning
- Repairing City sewers
- Reducing Inflow and Infiltration
- Monitoring Pump Stations
Payments
- Pay bills online
- In person at City Hall, Treasurer's Office, 93 Highland Avenue
View More
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Water Billing & Services
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Contractor Resources
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Quality Reports & Protection
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Forms & Information
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Easy Ways to Protect Our Waterways
Water Billing & Services
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AquaHawk Customer Portal
Take control of your water usage with online monitoring, budgeting, alerts, and more.
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Pay Water Bills Online
Make and manage payments for your water service using our City Hall Systems portal
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How to Read Your Water Bill
View a PDF guide to the City's new water bills.
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Permit Fee Schedule
View a fee schedule for each of the City's water and sewer services
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Report a Water Outage or Problem
Dial 311 (617-666-3311 from outside of the City) to report an issue with your water service, or make a request online
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Abatement Policy and Request Form
Read our policy on abatements for water and sewer bills, download an abatement request form, or download them both
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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.
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Request a Final Water Bill
Request a final meter reading and bill of sale to use during an ownership transfer
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View Submetering Laws for Landlords
Download a brochure that explains when a tenant can be billed directly by landlords
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Water and Sewer Rates
View current water and sewer charges per 100 cubic feet as well as base water and sewer charges.
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Lead Service Line Replacement Program
Have your property’s lead or non-copper water service line replaced, free of charge.
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Boil Water Order Information
Learn what steps you must take if the City issues a Boil Water Order
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Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Information
Learn about Mass DEP's requirements for the approval of new water line installations and upgrades.
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Important Message to Customers About Lead in Drinking Water.
Read our letter and view information from the MWRA.
Contractor Resources
Quality Reports & Protection
Important Message to Customers About Lead in Drinking Water
2016 Independent School Drinking Water Testing Results
- 5/25/16 Results for Healey, West Somerville, Kennedy and Argenziano Schools
- 5/25/16 Results for Brown and West Somerville Schools
- 5/10/16 Results for Cummings, Kennedy, and Healey Schools
- 5/6/16 Results for Edgerly and Winter Hill Schools
- 5/11/16 Results for Argenziano School
- 5/13/16 Results for Somerville High School
- 5/24/16 Results for Cummings, Somerville High, Edgerly, and Winter Hill Schools
- 5/24/16 Results for East Somerville Community School
- 5/24/16 Results for Capuano School
- 6/8/16 Re-Test Results for Somerville High, Edgerly, West Somerville, Kennedy, Brown, & Cummings. Also Results for Public Libraries
Park and Playground Water Fountain Lead Testing Results
MassDEP School Drinking Water Copper & Lead Testing Program Annual Results
- Fall 2017 MassDEP School Testing Results
(MassDEP requires limited testing at two schools annually. 2017 sites were Kennedy and Capuano Schools.) - Fall 2016 MassDEP School Testing Results
(MassDEP requires limited testing at two schools annually. 2016 sites were West Somerville and East Somerville Schools.)
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 & Information
Easy Ways to Protect Our Waterways
Programs & Initiatives
Related News
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Information Session and Public Hearing on FY2021 Water and Sewer Rates, June 11
The City of Somerville will hold a virtual information session and public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 water and sewer rates on Thursday, June 11.
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Annual Hydrant Testing Takes Place August 19-31; Rusty Water May Result Briefly
The Somerville Fire Department will begin the annual inspection of all fire hydrants on Monday, August 19, 2019, and conclude on Saturday, August 31, 2019. This procedure requires the flushing of water from the hydrants as well as a check of the mechanical operation of the hydrant.
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Help Stop Pollution and Flooding This Fall: Keep Leaves Out of Storm Drains, Streams, Rivers, and Lakes
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Cambridge/Somerville Joint Alewife Brook Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Progress Report for 2018
This notice is required by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as an annual update on the progress of Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) control measures to improve the water quality of Alewife Brook.
Programs & Initiatives
Have your property’s lead or non-copper water service line replaced, free of charge.
Related News
-
Information Session and Public Hearing on FY2021 Water and Sewer Rates, June 11
The City of Somerville will hold a virtual information session and public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 water and sewer rates on Thursday, June 11.
-
Annual Hydrant Testing Takes Place August 19-31; Rusty Water May Result Briefly
The Somerville Fire Department will begin the annual inspection of all fire hydrants on Monday, August 19, 2019, and conclude on Saturday, August 31, 2019. This procedure requires the flushing of water from the hydrants as well as a check of the mechanical operation of the hydrant.
-
Help Stop Pollution and Flooding This Fall: Keep Leaves Out of Storm Drains, Streams, Rivers, and Lakes
-
Cambridge/Somerville Joint Alewife Brook Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Progress Report for 2018
This notice is required by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as an annual update on the progress of Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) control measures to improve the water quality of Alewife Brook.