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.

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     
   

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 Residents/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. 
   

DRAINLAYER APPLICATION 

LIST OF LICENSED DRAINLAYERS 

HYDRANT PERMIT 

HYDRANT USE POLICY 

HYDRANT FLOW TEST PERMIT 

FINAL WATER BILL 

Water Quality Reports

MWRA Drinking Water Test Results (PDF) 

Important Message to Customers About Lead in Drinking Water 

• Letter from the Director 
• MWRA Brochure 

Forms & Other Info

Easy Ways to Protect Our Waterways 

• PREVENTING WATER POLLUTION FROM DE-ICER USAGE 

• KEEPING STORM DRAINS CLEAR OF LEAVES 

Forms 

Drain Layer License Application 

Final Water Bill Request Form 

Hydrant Permit 

New Water Service Application 

Water Main Tap Permit 

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 Main 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.