Water & Sewer

I am moving into my home. How do I turn on water service?

To turn on water service in a new name for an existing water and sewer connection, please contact the Treasurer's Office in one of the following ways:

Owners of the property may call (540) 908-3399 or stop by the Town office, Monday-Friday, 8:30 - 5:00 pm.
Renters of the property must stop by the Town Hall, provide a copy of Lease Agreement, and pay a $50 refundable deposit prior to the Town turning on the water service.

I am building a new home. How do I establish a new water and sewer connection?

To receive new Town water and/or sewer services, the property owner is responsible to pay the connection fees. Paying the connection fees establishes the property owner's rights to connect to the town's water and/or sewer system. The town will not install the service line(s) to the property until these fees are paid. The connection fees for a typical residential connection are as follows:

$4,494 for a 3/4" water connection.
$9,437 for a 4" sewer connection.

The connection fees will increase as the service line size increases. To receive the fee for different line sizes, please call Public Works at (540) 908-3397.

The property owner is responsible for installing the service lines from the property line, where the town stops the service lines, to the building that will receive the water and/or sewer service. Usually, this is performed by an independent contractor licensed by the state to perform such tasks. The property owner will hire the contractor of their choosing and make the arrangements to pay their fees.

Billing

How and when will I be billed for my water and sewer usage?

Utility bills are mailed every month. You should receive your bill in the mail during the first few days of the month. On your bill will be water, sewer, refuse, recycling and stormwater fees.

Can I receive my bill electronically?

You can elect to receive bills by mail or e-mail. Unless told otherwise, utility bills will be mailed. If you would like to receive your bill by e-mail, please e-mail utilities@bridgewater.town with your name, account number, preferred e-mail address and whether or not you would still like to continue to receive a mailed bill. Once we have successfully processed your request you will receive a confirmation e-mail.

When are bills due?

Bills are due by the 15^th. A late penalty of 10% will be levied on bills received after the 15^th.

Can I pay my bill online?

We are pleased to accept online bill payments for utility and personal property taxes. You will need your name as it appears on the bill and account number to create an online account. Please note there is a small fee added to your total bill to use this service.

Pay Online Now

Can I set up autopay for my bill?

A popular request in the Treasurer’s Office is to have utility payments directly withdrawn from residents bank accounts. If you would like to have an automatic draft of your utility bill, simply call our Treasurer’s Office at (540) 908-3399 to start the process. Then complete this form and turn it in to the Treasurer's Office at 201 Green Street or email it to utilities@bridgewater.town.

How is my bill calculated?

Water & Sewer Fees
The table below reflects our current water and sewer rates. All rates are per 1,000 gallons with the minimum billing being 1,000 gallons. As part of the Town of Bridgewater Water Rate Ordinance, water and sewer rates increase each year by the Consumer Price Index.

	Rates 07/01/2022		Rates 07/01/2023
Gallons	Water	Sewer	Water	Sewer
1st 1000	9.51	16.47	9.98	17.47
1001-10,000	4.17	8.14	4.38	8.63
10,001-20,000	4.43	8.65	4.65	9.17
20,001-30,000	4.54	8.83	4.76	9.37
30,001-40,000	4.81	9.42	5.05	9.99
40,001-50,000	4.89	9.62	5.13	10.21
50,001-1M	4.99	9.58	5.24	10.16
1M-4M	4.99	9.58	5.24	10.16
over 4M	5.23	9.92	5.49	10.51

Rates for Countrywide Estates

	Rates 07/01/2023
Gallons	Water	Sewer
1st 1000	5.99	10.48
1001-10,000	2.63	5.18
10,001-20,000	2.79	5.50
20,001-30,000	2.86	5.62
30,001-40,000	3.03	5.99
40,001-50,000	3.08	6.12
50,001-1M	3.15	6.10
1M-4M	3.15	6.10
over 4M	3.30	6.31

Other Fees

Distant-Out-Of-Town ("DOOT") Water Customers: $15.32/month
Stormwater Fee: $2.50/month

Sanitation Fees

Recycling and trash services are also included in the monthly water bill. As of July 1, 2023 the rate is $24.46 per month. In return for this fee, Bridgewater citizens receive trash collection, monthly large item and brush collection, and access to the Sandy Bottom Recycle Center.

	Starting 07/01/2022	Starting 07/01/2023
Trash & Large Item Collection	$21.96	$23.06
Recycling	$1.33	$1.40

Water Main Breaks

What causes a water main break?

A history of previous breaks, pipe corrosion, soil conditions, and age contribute to water main breaks. The freezing and thawing cycles of winter can cause the ground to shift and put stress on pipes.

What is the first sign of a water main break?

Usually, the first sign of a water line break is a puddle of water that mysteriously appears alongside the street or in the utility easement.

What happens when there is a water main break?

When a water main break occurs, fast action on the part of the maintenance crew is required. The Town’s priority is to restore water service to the homes and businesses experiencing water outages.

What do I do if I suspect a water main break?

• If you suspect the water main or line leading to your house is leaking, call B-Connected at 540-908-4212 immediately at any time.
• A maintenance crew member will be dispatched to investigate the problem and help you sort things out.
• If the leak is on our side of the water meter, we will make the repair.

What if the leak is on my side of the meter?

If the leak is on your side of the meter, you’ll need to call your plumber of choice. We can still provide them with useful information.

Sewer Backups

What causes a sewer backup?

An overflow in a sewage line generally results from a blockage in the line, causing the sewage to back up into nearby pipes and drains. Blockages can develop in the main sewer lines outside your home as well as within your home. The chances of a blockage can increase as a result of several factors such as:

Pipe breaks or cracks due to tree roots.
Pipe deterioration.
Accumulation of grease, tree roots, hair, or solid materials such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, or baby wipes.

How can I prevent a sewer backup?

Never pour fat, oils, or grease products down the drain
Wet wipes, personal hygiene products, and other household waste should not be flushed.

What are the early warning signs of a sewer backup?

• Foul or unpleasant odors coming from one or more drains
• Bubbling drains or gurgling toilets
• Slow draining sinks and showers
• Slow flushing toilets
• Clogs in multiple drains at once
• Sewage flowing out of the cleanout pipe, drains, or toilet

What do I do when a sewer backup occurs?

Report the backup to the Town of Bridgewater. Our staff will be in touch to ask questions about backup timing and location. The Maintenance Department will check for a blockage or break in the municipality’s main lines, and, if one is found, it will be promptly cleared. If the blockage is in the resident’s service line or house, we will recommend that you call your plumber.

How do I report a sewer backup?

To report a problem, call B-Connected at (540) 908-4212. Emergency crews are on call 24 hours a day.