Utilities (Water & Sewer) Division of the Department of Public Works
- Meter Reading (617) 796-1040
- FAQ'S
If you think your bill is not correct, read your meter before calling the Business Office of the Utilities Division. The people who will help you will ask for the meter reading and, by having this read the first time you call, you will save yourself a second call back. If you receive more than two estimates in a row, please contact the business office to find out why. Either the outside encoder or the meter may need servicing.
The water meter is usually located in your basement. It has a brass bottom and a plastic cap. To read the dial, which resembles the odometer on a car, look down into the plastic cap. Next, compare this reading to the one on your bill next to the most current date. If your reading is equal to or greater than the read for which you were billed, then the bill is correct because the water passed through the meter. At this point, if your bill showed consumption higher than your quarterly average, you may consider checking for a toilet leak by putting a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If, after 15 minutes, some of the coloring seeps into the toilet bowl, there is a leak, which should be repaired. It's a good idea to let the Water/Sewer Division know about a leak; so that, if it is necessary to estimate one of your future bills, the billing clerk can make an adjustment for this higher than normal usage.
To call the Business Office of the Utilities division, dial (617) 796-1040 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri. The Office is open until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
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