My water bill is unusually high, what could the problem be?
There could be a leak in some water-using device in your home, such as a toilet, faucet, sprinkler system, etc. that could be causing more than the usual amount of water to be consumed. First check your water meter for a possible leak how to read your water meter. You may want to contact an experienced plumber to check your pipes and other water-using devices. Also, the bill could be applicable to the summer when water usage is naturally higher than the rest of the year. If you still have a question contact the Billing Office at (781) 942-9023
What happens if the Water & Sewer Dept. does not receive a meter reading?
If the Water & Sewer Dept. does not receive a meter reading you will be billed for estimated usage. When we do capture an actual meter reading and it results in your having been over-billed, you will receive a credit to your account. We will subtract the actual usage from the estimated usage and abate that amount. If, however, the actual meter reading results in you having been under-billed, you will then be billed for the full amount of your usage based on the actual meter reading during the next billing cycle.
I am selling my property, how do I obtain a final meter reading and Water & Sewer Bill?
Contact the Billing Office at (781) 942-9023 at least 7 days prior to the closing to schedule an appointment for Water & Sewer personnel to come to your property and conduct a final meter reading. The final meter reading will be conducted on the day prior to the closing. Final bills must be paid with Cash, Bank Check, Money Order, or Attorney's Check at the Collector's Office.
No personal checks will be accepted for final bills.
What is the penalty for not paying my Water & Sewer Bill?
If you do not pay your Water & Sewer Bill by the close of business on the 30th day, the 10% discount is lost. If you do not pay your Water & Sewer bill by the due date, interest is charged at 1.5% per month, 18% per year.
What happens if I do not pay my Water & Sewer Bill?
Interest is assessed on delinquent Water & Sewer charges. Water & Sewer charges that are more than 12 months past due will be liened to the Real Estate Tax bills on the property during the regularly scheduled assessment of Real Estate Taxes. This regular assessment usually occurs in December of each year. These amounts will then be collected in the same manner as Real Estate Taxes which includes the assessment of interest and the possibility of a Tax Taking being conducted against the property. Although appearing on the Real Estate Tax bill, these charges are not deductible as a tax expense.
What are the due dates on Water Bills?
There are 4 cycles. Listed below are the cycle billing dates. Payment is due on the 15th of the following month. The only exception is if the 15th falls on a weekend, or on a Monday holiday. In either case, payment is due on the next business day.
Cycle-1 : Quarter 1: September 10
Cycle-2 : Quarter 2: December 10
Cycle-3 : Quarter 3: March 10
Cycle-4 : Quarter 4: June 10
Please note that interest starts accruing the day after the due date, beginning with the billing date.
What if I do not receive my Water Bill?
If for some reason, you did not receive a Water Bill, call the Collector's Office, Water Department: 781-942-9023. They will send you a duplicate bill in the mail.
Under state law, failure to receive a bill does not affect the validity of the bill or any interest or fines incurred due to late payment(s). It is the responsibility of the homeowner to secure his/her water bill when one is not received.
Are you a new property owner?
If you are a new property owner, please call the Collector's Office, Water Department: 781-942-9023. We will provide information to you regarding when to expect your first Water & Sewer bill, our rates, and Storm Water fees.
Where should I mail my Water Bill payment?
Please mail payments to:
Town of Reading
Collector's Office
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2601
Please make checks payable to: Town of Reading
For proper credit, write the account number on the check and enclose the top portion of your Water bill. To obtain a receipt, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope and both portions of the bill with your payment. One will be stamped paid and returned to you.
How do I change the old owner's name that appears on the Water Bill, after purchasing the property?
New owners, at the time of recording the deed, should be sure to fill out the Change of Owner and/or Address card provided with the Municipal Lien Certificate. This will change the "mail to" portion of the bill; the permanent change will take place when the Assessors Office receives the deed from the Registry of Probate.
How do I change the mailing address on my Water Bill?
Town of Reading
Collector's Office
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2601
What happens if I overpay my Water Bill?
Overpayments will be applied to the next billing cycle.
How can I tell if my Water Bill is estimated?
If there is an "ES" next to the present reading, this means your water bill is estimated. Continuous estimated bills may result in a large actual bill, when the meter is finally read.
What do I do if my Water Bill is estimated?
If you find that your Water bill is estimated, please record the reading from the water meter (normally located in the basement) how to read your meter and call the Water Department at (781) 942-9023 well before the due date. The water department will schedule an appointment to verify the read and adjust the bill. We will adjust the bill and do an abatement if the read was estimated too high. If the bill was estimated too low, the quantity is added to the next billing cycle.
The due date of your adjusted bill will not change. It will remain the same as the original water bill.
The Water Department will research the problem that caused the estimated bill, thereby ensuring accurate reads in the future.
If my condominium was a condo conversion, will I get a separate Water Bill?
No. The water/sewer bill is for all condominium units unless the plumbing was separated at the time of conversion. It is between you and all the other unit owners how the water bill charges are divided amongst yourselves. You should have a Condominium Association set up for payments such as water/sewer bills.
A trustee for the Association should be determined and the Treasurers Office notified of their name.
Only one trustee can appear on the water/sewer bill for mailing purposes.
What is the meaning of AC, ES, TE, ME printed next to the Current Meter Reading?
The code, AC, is telling you that it was an "Actual Read"
If the code was an "ES" it would have been an "Estimated Read"
If the code was a "TE‚" it would have been a "Telephone Read"
If the code was an "ME" it would have been a "Manual Read"
What must I do to renew or install a new water and sewer line and where do I go to apply for this service?
Applications for a renewal or new service for Water and Sewer lines can be obtained on the Engineering Division link under Permits and Applications.
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