Westerly, RI

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Water

1. How are after hours, weekend and holiday emergency calls managed: The Westerly Water and Sewer Department maintains a twenty four-hour service for emergency work only. Westerly Dispatch Center at 401-596-6855 will handle the emergency calls and dispatch the on call duty man to the job site. Please be advised that any work done on private property is subject to a minimum labor charge of $75.00 that will be billed directly to the property owner.

2. Do I have to pay for outside water use on the Sewer bill?: All residential Sewer bills are charged a “Flat Fee” charge currently billed at $306.00 per year or $153.00 semi-annually. This bill is not dependent of any water that passes through the meter.

3. Why do I have a high water bill: There are a couple of reasons why your water bill is unusually high. The number one reason for most customers with a high bill is a leaking toilet. This is the worst cause for a high water bill! You will need to check for the following things or call a plumber to do it for you.

-If you hear what sounds like your toilet flushing all the time. (sometimes this can be a very faint running water sound) the water in the back tank is not stopping below the overflow. This means that the water level is too high and is constantly filling up. To stop this, gently bend the rod down. (Note: the rod has the ball attached to it, and some newer toilets may no longer have this ball system.)

-In the back tank, there is a flapper. If the flapper doesn’t sit properly after flushing, this could mean that it is either old or cracked. You must fix this immediately because the water is bypassing the flapper, which causes your toilet to waste a lot of water. Unlike the previous problem, you may not be able to hear this happening, so it is wise to check for this problem periodically.

-On your water meter there is a leak detector. When looking at the top of your meter, you will see a small red triangle. While there is no water being used in the house, watch this triangle for a few minutes. If it is moving at all, then you have a leak somewhere in your house, drawing water through the meter.

4. Discolored water or low water pressure: Outside your house:
- There could be a water main break on a water main servicing your area. It may be a problem we are already working on, or it may be a problem that is just starting and we have not been notified of yet. If your notice water coming out of the ground in front of your house, or in your neighborhood, please call the water department.
-There could be an unauthorized opening of a fire hydrant in your neighborhood.

Inside your house:
-Check for a clogged screen on one of your faucets.
-Check faucets to see if they are leaking.
-Run just cold water, then run hot water. If the discoloration (and there may be associated odor also) is only with your hot water, you may have a problem with your hot water heater.

5. When are bills sent and how can they be paid?: Most properties are billed every six months. The exceptions are some commercial properties with a high water volume, and certain properties that remove their meters every winter. Different areas of town are billed at different times of the year.

-Once the bill is issued, you have 35 days from the issue date to pay this bill before interest starts accruing. Once the bill is past the due date, interest will start accruing on a daily basis, going back to the date of issue, not the due date. This interest will keep accruing on any portion that remains unpaid.

-To pay your bill you may send in a check or money order with your account number written on it to the address on the bill, or you may respond in person to the Tax Collectors office at 45 Broad Street to pay in person.
-If you wish, you may also pay your bill by credit card via phone 1-800-272-9829
(Our jurisdiction code is 4910) or on-line at www.officialpayments.com.
-Please note: there will be a charge for these last two options

6. What if there are billing questions: If you have a question about your bill:
-First take a reading off your water meter
-Have your account number on hand
-Call the Westerly Utility Department at 401-348-2559

7. Are elderly exemptions available ?: Some people are eligible for an exemption of the State Surcharge on their water bill. The requirements for Elderly exemption are:

-The homeowner must be 65 years of age or older.
-The homeowner must reside in the home, and that property is their primary residence.
If it is a multifamily dwelling, you are only eligible for a partial exemption.
-A surcharge exemption form must be filled out either at the town hall at 45 Broad Street or at the Water Department at 68 White Rock Road.
-Proof of age and residency must be provided.
-The exemption can only be provided after this form is filled out. Back credits can not be provided on bills already issued to you.

8. What should be done prior to purchasing a house: If you are purchasing a house that is already built, it is very important for your attorney to call us for a final water bill on that property. This ensures that the water and sewer is up to date before you take title of the property. At least 48 hours prior to the closing, your attorney should call us with the following information:
-Current owner of the property
-Address of the property
-Name of parties purchasing the property with correct mailing address for billings.

We will get a reading from the properties water meter and fax a bill to your attorney for the closing. This ensures that they collect the monies due from the prior owners.
If we are not notified of the closing, you as the new homeowner will be responsible for any outstanding water and sewer bills. These bills stay with the property and transfer with ownership.

9. What if the account is seasonal use?: If you have us remove your water meter and reinstall it on a seasonal basis, please call us at 401-348-2559 or 401-348-2560 at least 48 hours in advance. The charge for this service is $25.00 to remove and $25.00 to install, and you will be billed on an annual basis in December of each year.