Show All Answers

1. How do I pay my Water/Sewer Bill?

The Town of Shrewsbury offers a range of payment options including:

• Online Payments through UniPay;
• Direct Payments to the Treasurer/Collector Office;
• Deputy Collector ePayments;
• Lockbox Payments, and
• Third-Party Online Payments through personal bank accounts

For the most convenient, fast, and secure payment, please consider using the Town’s Online payment service through UniPay. It is quick; reduces administrative costs, and ensures that your payment is posted promptly and accurately.  to help detail the efficiencies with UniPay vs. Third-party online payments please see the info-graphic below. 

2. How do I look up my bills and use self service

https://shrewsburymacitizens.munisselfservice.com/default.aspx

3. How do I read my water meter?

Step 1:  Locate your water meter

In most instances, your water meter is located in your basement along the wall closest to the street. 

Step 2:  Read your water meter

All customers within the Town of Shrewsbury have their water use measured by a meter. Shrewsbury’s water meters measure water in gallons. Charges for the amount of water consumed are based on the number of gallons used during a billing period.

How to watch for Leaks

Turn off all water indoors and outdoors including sprinklers, ice maker, etc... If the low flow indicator moves, this may indicate a leak in an appliance or pipe. If the meter shows no obvious movement, note the reading on the meter and return in 4 hours to see if there is any change. Note: if you use water during that time, the meter reading will change. If you do notice movement, check all appliances, faucets, toilets, and other water sources for drips or leaks.

4. Why is my water bill so high?

Potential Causes of High Water Bills:

An unusually high water bill is most often caused by a leak of change in water use.  Some common causes of high water bills include:

• A leaking toilet, or a toilet that continues to run after being flushed
• A dripping faucet; a faucet drip can waste twenty (20) gallons of water a day or more
• Filling or topping off a swimming pool
• Watering the lawn, new grass, or trees; also check for an open hose bib
• Kids home for summer vacations or school holidays; guests
• Water-cooled air conditioners
• A broken water pipe or obvious leak; check the pipes in the basement or crawlspace; the water heater could also be leaking
• Water softener problems - cycles continuously
• Running the water to avoid freezing water pipes during cold weather.

Generally, water consumption is higher during the summer due to watering of lawns, pools, and gardening.  Typically, an average family of four (4) uses 4,000-5,000 gallons of water a month.  

5. How do I check my home for water leaks?

Leaks, whether unseen or unfixed, can waste hundreds and even thousands of gallons of water.  It is important to routinely check your plumbing and home for leaky faucets, toilets, and outside taps and irrigation lines.

Toilet & Faucet Leaks

The most common cause for a high water bill is running water from your toilet.  A continuously running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day.  That can double a family’s typical water use, so fix toilet leaks as soon as possible.  Some leaks are easy to find, such as a dripping faucet or running toilet.  You can usually hear a running toilet, but not always.  

Do-it-Yourself Toilet Assessment

First check for the most common leak:  a deteriorated or defected flush valve (Flapper) ball at the bottom of the toilet tank.  If it does not make a tight seal water will leak into the toilet bowl. To check for this:

• Take the lid off the tank behind the bowl.  Flush the toilet, then wait for it too fully refill. 
• Put a few drops of dye, food dye, or a colored dye tablet (available at some hardware stores) in the tank
• Wait at least 20 minutes; longer if you suspect it is a small leak.
• If there is any color in the toilet bowl, there is a leak.

The second most common type of leak has to do with an improperly adjusted or broken fill *ballcock) valve.  To check for this take the lid of the toilet tank, flush, and see if the water is draining into the overflow tubes when the tanks are full.

Outdoor & Underground leaks

Leaks can also occur in harder to find places, such as under your house or in the service line between your water meter and your home.  Check outdoor spigots and crawl spaces, and look for wets posts in your yard, which may indicate a leak.

Water Softeners

Customers with water softeners have hight water bills due to the regeneration or backwash cycles their systems go through.  The systems are preset to regenerate or backwash on a regular basis.  The systems will use water to clean the filter media and discharge the wastewater into the ground next to the system.   There are times when these systems will get stuck in a cycle which will cause higher water use.

6. I have a leak on my service line. Will the town fix it?

The town is only responsible for repairs and replacements of water main in the street, the connection from the main to the shutoff valve at the property line, and meters and remote reading devices. The customer is responsible for the service line from the property line to the home or business, all plumbing on private property, the meter pit if your meter in located outside in the ground, and repairs to frozen meters where adequate protection was not supplied.

7. If I am a new owner in town, how do I sign up for water and sewer service?

Please complete the New Owner Application / Utility Change of Owner Online Form via the following link; New Owner / Utility Change of Owner Application

- The  "Utility Change of Owner" Form will prompt you to search for your property address and “Confirm Location” - system will prompt you for information through the online form until completed/ submitted and you receive a SeeClickFix Confirmation ID#. 

 

The Confirmation ID# will be assigned and completed according to the requested information and a follow-up confirmation will be sent to the registered email address which submitted the request, once all account information has been updated. 

Please note - Services are not shut-off by the Water/Sewer Division for transfer or sale of property. 

 

Any Questions - email dpwsupport@shrewsburyma.gov or call the Water/Sewer DPW Division @ #508-841-8506.

8. If I'm selling a house in town, what do I need to do? - Requesting a Final Bill

Please contact our office a minimum of 72 hours prior to the closing date to set up a final reading with our office staff. The new owner name(s) will be required at the time of the final bill request, and please provide any additional contact information, such as a phone number and mailing address for the new owner(s). It is the D.P.W. Water & Sewer Division Policy to issue final bills the day prior to the close date. The final bill will need to paid in full at time of pick up at our office the day prior to closing via cash or check payment anytime between 10 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., in which a receipted final bill will be provided for the closing sale. Any checks can be made payable to "Town Of Shrewsbury". Feel free to contact the D.P.W. with any questions.

staff contact information.

9. What is groundwater?

Groundwater comes from rain and snow that soaks into the ground, passing between particles of soil, sand, gravel or rock until it reaches a depth where the ground is filled or saturated, with water. The area that is filled with water is called the saturated zone and the top of this zone is called the water table. The water table may be very near the ground surface or it may be hundreds of feet deep.

10. What is the hardness of the water?

The hardness of the water is measured in parts per million of calcium carbonate. This equates to around 5 - 6 grains and medium hardness.

11. Where does our water come from?

The town's water supply is groundwater. We have 6 active wells in use. The wells are primarily located in the northwest quadrant of town.

12. Why does water from my faucets occasionally look slightly brown? Is it safe to drink?

Brown water can be caused by water main breaks and hydrants being flushed or opened which causes a disturbance in the system and agitates the sediment. If you have any concerns, please call the Water and Sewer Department at 508-841-8506.

13. Why does water from my faucets occasionaly look slightly brown? Is it safe to drink?

Brown water can be caused by water main breaks and hydrants being flushed or opened which causes a disturbance in the system and agitates the sediment. If you have any concerns, please call the Water and Sewer Deptartment at 508-841-8506.