Show All Answers

1. How can I pay my bill?

Send your check or money order made payable to City of Westfield (no cash, please) to:
City of Westfield Water Department
P.O. Box 9249
Chelsea, MA 02150

or

Payments can be made in person, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Collector's Office
City Hall
59 Court Street
Westfield, MA 01085

2. I have a water emergency! Who do I call?

During regular business hours (Mon-Fri 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) please call (413) 572-6315 or (413) 572-6243. If your emergency is after business hours, please call the Westfield Police Department at (413) 562-5411.

3. Is there fluoride in my drinking water?

Westfield drinking water is not fluoridated.

4. How often is my meter read?

In order to read the entire city, we divide it into three sections. Each section is read every three months (quarterly).

5. How is my bill calculated?

The prior quarter's reading obtained from your water meter is subtracted from the current reading. The difference between the two readings is the number of gallons used for the quarter.

The number of gallons used is then multiplied by the rate of $2.95 per thousand gallons used. This will give you the dollar amount for the actual water consumed.

To that amount, there is a base charge amount for the size of the meter in your home. The typical size meter for a residential home is 5/8", which has a $20.50 base charge.

The water consumption charge is added to the base charge to determine the water charge on your Combined Utility Bill.

6. How does the Water Resources Department test my drinking water?

Coliform bacteria samples are taken on a weekly basis at several testing points throughout the city. Additional samples are also taken monthly, quarterly, and annually to ensure that the quality of your drinking water is maintained at the highest quality possible.

These samples are taken to a commercial laboratory for testing. The results are available in the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) which is sent to every home on an annual basis or can be obtained at the Water Resources Department main office at 28 Sackett Street.

7. What causes dirty water?

There are several causes of dirty water from your tap. Generally, it is caused by a high water flow situation due to a fire, testing of the water mains, or a water main break. Your tap water will generally clear up if you run it slowly for a short time. Color, Taste, and Odor How and Why

8. I have a fire hydrant in my yard, am I responsible for this?

You are responsible to have the hydrant clear of snow and debris that may hinder its operation by Fire Department or Water Resources Department personnel.

9. What are some ways I can conserve water?

Please refer to the "Conservation" section of this web site. Water Conservation

10. What happens if I don't pay my bill?

Any Combined Utility Bill amounts that are billed through the 4th quarter of the fiscal year (June) that remain unpaid when the real estate tax bills are issued in December of the same year will be applied as liens to the real estate tax bill.

If you have questions regarding unpaid bills, please call the Collector's Office at (413) 572-6229.

11. Who do I call if I think my bill is wrong?

Your bill is a combined utility bill consisting of one or more utility services.

If you think the water or sewer portion is incorrect, call the Water Resources Department main office at (413) 572-6269.

If you think the waste management or stormwater portion is incorrect, call the Public Works Department office at 572-6226.

12. I'm going away for the winter. Will my pipes freeze?

If you are planning to leave your house unoccupied during the cold season, the Water Resources Department recommends that you call us to remove the meter and turn the water off at the street. It is also recommended that you have your plumber winterize the water lines inside the house.

If water is left on in the house during cold weather and the heat is lower than normal, then a water line may freeze. This can result in severe damage to your home and belongings. You are also responsible for any damage to the water meter due to freezing.

13. I'm selling my house. Do I need to notify the Water Resources Department?

In most circumstances, when a house is sold an attorney is involved. The attorney's office will contact the Water Resources Department to schedule a "final water reading" for the property being sold. At the time that the appointment is made, the seller's information, along with the buyer's information, will be obtained. Therefore, the seller does not have to contact the Water Resources Department.

If an attorney is not involved or there are other extenuating circumstances, please call the Water Resources Department at (413) 572-6243 to make sure that we know there is a change in ownership.

14. I'm renting an apartment. Am I responsible for the water bill?

The legal owner of the property is responsible to the Water Resources Department for payment of the water bills. The Water Resources Department does not get involved in any lease or rental agreements made between landlords and tenants.

All water bills that remain unpaid are subject to a water lien being placed on the property.

15. How does my water meter get read?

For most houses, there is a small black plastic pad mounted on the outside of your house. This pad is connected by wires to the water meter in your home. The meter reader has an electronic reading device that he touches to the pad and is able to obtain a read. That read is then transmitted through radio frequency to the meter equipment that stores all the meter readings on his route.

Some of the newer homes have a radio read transmitter box on the outside of the house that allows the meter reader to just walk by the house and the equipment will automatically pick up the read. This means that the meter reader does not have to go on that property.

The meter reader generally does not have to go inside your house to obtain a meter reading. Occasionally, the meter reader might have difficulty obtaining a good read. On those occasions, the meter reader will knock on the door to ask if he can go inside to obtain a read or, if the homeowner does not appear to be home, he will leave a card on the door stating that the homeowner needs to call the office.

Do not ever let anyone into your home without asking for proper identification. All employees of the Westfield Water Resources Department carry identification badges. If you're still in doubt, please call the Water Resources Department Office at (413) 572-6243 and we will let you know if our meter readers are reading in your area.