Water & Sewer FAQ's
- I am selling my house and need to obtain a "final read" on my water meter, what do I do?
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The seller or a representative for the seller should call 617-730-2170 1 or 2 weeks before the closing, and we will schedule an appointment for 1 of our technicians to get a final read. If this occurs within the middle of a billing cycle, the seller will be billed up to the closing date, and the buyer will be billed from the closing date to the end of the billing cycle.
- Where is my water meter?
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Your meter is usually located in the basement of your property. The water usually comes in from the street side of the house. The meter sits on the water pipe that comes in through the floor or wall. The head of the meter is about 3 inches in diameter and has a large hand and a small red diamond or triangular dial.
- Who is responsible for my water service line?
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For residential properties, the town is responsible for the length of pipe that runs from the connection at the water main to the sidewalk shut-off valve. The homeowner is responsible for the service line from the sidewalk shut-off valve to the building and all other plumbing on private property. Homeowners are responsible for the entire length of pipe from the water main to the building for water services that are 75 years or older. The town is not responsible for making repairs to any water service at an industrial or commercial buildings, or residential services larger than 2 inches in diameter.
- Who do I contact when I have a question about my bill?
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For questions regarding water bills, please contact the billing office at 617-730-2170. Please keep in mind that often times, high water usage is due to a problem with internal plumbing.
- How do I check for leaks in my home?
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Toilets - Add a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the food coloring appears in the toilet bowl, this means you have a leak. Some toilet leaks are intermittent, so you do not always see or hear the water running.
Faucets - Check all faucets and piping for leaks by monitoring for drips of water under sinks and from exposed pipes. Perform an inspection with the water on and off, as some leaks only occur when the water is on.
Check plumbing in the basement by monitoring for drips of water coming from exposed pipes. Occasionally, leaks develop behind walls or in areas that are not visible. Read your meter periodically to monitor for drastic changes. - Who do I contact in the case of a water emergency?
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Please contact the Water and Sewer Department at 617-730-2175, 24 hours a day.
- Does the Town test the water?
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The Town of Brookline is required to meet state and federal drinking water standards and test the water in accordance with those standards. Visit the town’s website or the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) website for the annual water quality reports.
- How do I get an irrigation meter (second meter)?
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You must 1st hire a licensed plumber, who must obtain a permit from the Building Department. The plumber will be responsible for purchasing and installing the required equipment as referenced in the regulation for the installation of irrigation meters. All work must be completed in accordance with the State Plumbing Code and Town of Brookline Building Code.
- Who should I call if I have sewage backup into my home?
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If the sewer backs up (for example the toilet, sink, tub or washing machine) please call the Water & Sewer Department at 617-730-2175. They will dispatch personnel to assess the problem and determine if the blockage is within the public sewer main or the private sewer service. The Town is responsible for blockages within the public sewer main and the homeowner is responsible for blockages within the private sewer service.
- Who is responsible for my sewer service line?
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The homeowner is responsible for the service line from and including the connection to the public sewer main to the building and all other plumbing on private property. The Town is not responsible for making repairs to any sewer service at any residential, industrial or commercial properties.
- Who do I contact when I have a question about my bill?
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For questions regarding sewer bills, please contact the billing office at 617-730-2170. Please keep in mind that often times, high water usage is due to a problem with internal plumbing.
- Who do I contact if there is a strong sewer odor in my area?
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Sewer odors at catch basins can be caused by rotting leaves, low flow in an adjacent catch basin and inappropriate dumping of dog feces, oil, paint or other pollutants. Residents can help alleviate these odors by never dumping anything into a catch basin. Catch basins are installed to collect rainwater only.
Please call the Water & Sewer Department at 617-730-2170 to report sewer odor. - Who do I call to repair my sewer service? How do I know if a sewer pipe needs to be repaired?
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A sewer pipe must be repaired by a Licensed Drain Layer. A list of current drain layers is available at the Water & Sewer Division Office. If the problem is in the house and needs to be repaired, the homeowner would call a plumber after calling the Water and Sewer Division.
Town of Brookline Website