Water Services

Telephone: 978-374-2375

Inspector:

Coordinator: Debra Tandy (ext. 212) - Dtandy@haverhillwater.com

Address: 125 Amesbury Road
Haverhill, MA 01830-2801

Cross-Connection/Backflow Control Program
The Water Division runs a cross-connection/backflow control program to protect the water distribution system from contaminants and pollutants entering the system by backflow or back siphonage from cross connections. A cross connection is any actual or potential connection between the public water system and a source of contaminant or pollution. Cross connections can exist in home plumbing systems, commercial establishments, industrial buildings and institutional buildings.

Cross-connections are prohibited unless protected by a backflow prevention device approved by the Water Division. The Water Division determines the type of backflow prevention device a property owner must install to protect a cross connection. All plans for the installation of backflow prevention devices shall be submitted to the Water Division for review and approval. After installation the Water Division must inspect the installation and test the backflow prevention device.

The Water Division also recommends backflow protection for private wells. If you have questions or need additional information on requirements for backflow prevention devices or cross connections call the Water Division at (978) 374-2375.

Water Maintenance Division

Telephone: 978-374-2368

Supervisor: Andrew Carvalho, acarvalho@haverhillwater.com

Foreman: Gary Burton (ext. 216), gburton@haverhillwater.com

Staff: Larisha Sandoval (ext.210) lsandoval@haverhillwater.com

Address: 125 Amesbury Road, Haverhill, MA 01830-2801

Water Maintenance is responsible for:

Operating, maintaining and repairing the water distribution system;
Installing new water mains;
Implementing the backflow prevention program;
Reviewing plans for new water mains and services;
Approving new water service applications; and
Maintaining records of the distribution system.

The distribution system is the network of pipes and the associated fittings, valves, hydrants and appurtenances that transport water throughout the city. Most of the distribution system is located within the city street rights-of-way. A small percentage is located in cross-country easements.

Water is pumped into the distribution system from the water treatment plant on Kenoza Lake. The distribution system includes approximately 235 miles of pipe that range in size from 2-inch up to 36-inch. Pipe materials include unlined cast iron, lined cast iron, ductile iron, transite and PVC. Pressures and storage throughout the system are maintained by 3 concrete storage tanks and 5 booster pumping stations throughout the City. The pumping stations operate to fill storage tanks and/or pressurize separate high-pressure zones.

Your Water Service:

Your water service extends from its connection to the water main in the street up to and including your meter; yours is the only property being serviced by that line. As the property owner, you are responsible for maintaining your water service in good working order, at your expense. Even though it is your service, the city must perform any required work in order to maintain records not only for you, but also for any future owners. When a service pipe leaks, it is essential that it be fixed properly and correctly. The results of water service pipe leaks can be destructive as well as pose health risks.

Water Service Termination:

Your water service may be terminated if:

Your bill is past due;
Your plumbing contains an illegal cross connection;
A meter reader has not been permitted to enter your home or business to obtain an actual meter reading;
A Water Division representative has not been allowed to inspect the plumbing or inspect/install a meter; or
You fail to repair a leak in your service or plumbing.

The Water Division may enter properties served by the City's water distribution system to conduct surveys and inspections for cross connections and potential cross connections within the property.

The Water Division will shut off a water service without prior notice to eliminate a cross connection or backflow condition where contaminants or pollutants are suspected to be a threat to public health. The water service will remain shut off until the cross connection or backflow connection is eliminated, or the condition is remedied, at the owner's expense, and the remedial work is approved by the Water Division.

Hydrant Permit:

Hydrant permits are available when water is not available from another source. The usage will be metered and the permittee billed for the water plus a fee of $30 for the use of the hydrant. A refundable deposit of $300 is required for the meter and backflow equipment. The meter and backflow equipment must be returned to the Water Division for reading and billing purposes.

To obtain a Hydrant Permit or for more information, contact the Water Division at (978) 374-2368.

Water Service Application:

Water Service Application forms are now available online, click here.

Instructions:

Applicant must complete the Water Service Application and sign where appropriate.
Once signed, scan and upload the form as an email attachment and send it to lsandoval@haverhillwater.com

You may also obtain a paper copy at the:

Water Billing Office: City Hall, 4 Summer Street, Room 300, or at the Water Maintenance Office at 125 Amesbury Road. You can also return the completed and signed Water Service Application directly to Water Maintenance Office at 125 Amesbury Road.

Note: The document needs to be scanned with page 1 and page 2 in color with a resolution of 300 dpi to ensure it is readable by Water Department.

If you have any questions, please call 978-374-2368.

Water Meter Division

Telephone: 978-373-8487

Contact: John Donahue

Address: 125 Amesbury Road
Haverhill, MA 01830-2801

The Meter Division is responsible for reading approximately 14,000 residential meters twice per year, 2,000 commercial and industrial meters four times per year, and all billing rereads. All billing readings are continually verified while maintaining an error rate of less than 1%. We perform about 1,400 real estate transfer readings and inspections per year.

We are responsible for the installation, changing, maintenance and repair of all remote reading devices. We perform all deduct meter inspections as well as the activation of all new residential and commercial water services.

We are currently involved with a radio read pilot program which involves the latest available technology. Our goal is to read all meters in the most efficient manner possible and to have our readings and bills be as accurate as possible.

Remote Reading Devices:

About 90 percent of our system's meters are equipped with remote reading devices on the exterior of the building. This allows the meter reader to obtain an actual reading without entering the building and helps avoid the issuance of estimated bills. If you do not have a remote reading device, call the Meter Division at (978) 373-8487 to schedule an appointment to have one installed. There is no charge for this service.

Please call the Meter Division at (978) 373-8487 prior to having your house or building sided so the Meter Division can relocate the remote reading device. The Meter Division will relocate the device at no charge.

Request a Meter Test:

If you suspect your meter is inaccurate, you can request that the Meter Division have it tested. The request must be in writing to the Meter Division, 125 Amesbury Road, Haverhill, MA 01830. The fee for a meter test is $50.00 for 1-inch and smaller meters. If a test shows the meter tests fast or is not within the limits of American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards, the meter test fee will be refunded. The accuracy of our meter test bench is certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Standards.

Deduct Meter for Wastewater Bill Abatement:

To qualify for an abatement on your wastewater bills for in-ground irrigation systems and other uses not entering the City's sewer system requires a deduct meter. The deduct meter is read and the customer is given a wastewater credit for the amount of water registered on the deduct meter. Deduct meters must be inspected and approved by the Meter Division before an abatement is given. To apply for a deduct meter you must complete and submit a Water Service Application available at the Water Maintenance Office. Call the Meter Division at (978) 373-8487 for additional information on deduct meters.

Water Service Fees

§ 250-2 Water Division Service Charges
Service	Fee					Notes
Chlorination tap Dig & replace curb box Dig & replace gate box Full renewal Main pipe leak Service leak (inside or out) New service complete New service curb to cellar New service main to curb Valve change Tap Punch corporation Discontinue service Re-locate service Renewal main to curb Renewal curb to cellar Service call	$55 per hour – plumber rate $50 per hour – labor rate $55 per hour – equipment rate materials					On a time and materials basis
Turn on - new service	$60
Turn on	$42
Turn off	$42
Turn off - seasonal	$42
Turn on - seasonal	$42
Transfer read	$60
2nd transfer read	$36
Reseal meter	$50
Test meter - 1 1/2 –inch and smaller	$60
Insufficient check charge	$35
Deduct inspection	$30
Sprinkler application	$30
Hydrant Flow Test	$250
Hydrant Permit	$50 plus metered usage and deposit for meter apparatus					Deposit is refundable upon return of equipment in good condition
§ 250-2 Water Division service charges
Service	Service				Service
Unauthorized use – 1st offense	$150 plus time, materials and estimated water usage
Each subsequent offense	$250 plus time, materials and estimated water usage
Unauthorized connection – 1st Offense	$150 plus time, materials and estimated water usage
Each subsequent offense	$250 plus time, materials and estimated water usage
Unauthorized meter change – 1st Offense	$150 plus time, materials and estimated water usage
Each subsequent offense	$250 plus time, materials and estimated water usage
Unauthorized meter removal – 1st Offense	$150 plus time, materials and estimated water usage
Unauthorized hydrant use - 1st Offense	$150 plus time, materials and estimated water usage
Each subsequent offense	$250 plus time, materials and estimated water usage
Unauthorized water service or water main turn on or turn off, - 1st offense	$250 plus time, materials and estimated water usage
Each subsequent offense	$250
B. Other water fees. (1) A water service entrance fee will be charged to connect to the municipal water system. This charge will apply to renovations and new services.
Size (inches)	Cost
1 inch or smaller 1 ½ 2 4 6 8 10 and 12	$400 per unit $400 per unit $400 per unit $400 per unit $500 per unit $1,000 per unit $1,200 per unit				Due with Water Service Application
For non-residential users, the number of units shall be calculated by dividing the design flow by 330 gallons per day (gpd) which is the flow generated by a hypothetical three-bedroom single family residence. The design flow for non-residential users shall be determined using the Sewage System Flow Design flow values found in the most current version of Title 5 of the State Environmental Code (310 CMR 15.000).
(2) Main pipe extension fees
Size	Cost
4-inch main 6-inch main 8-inch main 10-inch main 12-inch main	$400 $500 $1,000 $12,000 $12,000
(3) Water service application fees.
Size
1 inch or smaller 1 ½-inch 2-inch 4-inch 6-inch 8-inch 10-inch 12-inch	$120 $400 $600 $800 $1,000 $2,000 $2,400 $2,400
(4) Road Replacement
Type			Measurement		Cost
Without infrared With infrared Cement sidewalk			2 feet per 2 feet by 5 feet 2 feet per 2 feet by 5 feet Per square foot		$12 $52 $25
(5) Annual Fire service fee
Size			Yearly Fee
2-inch 4-inch 6-inch 8-inch 10-inch 12-inch			$400 $500 $600 $720 $960 $1,200
C. Water supply fee. (1) A water supply fee in the amount stated below shall be paid to connect to the municipal water system. These funds shall be used to defray the cost of maintaining, protecting, improving, developing and expanding the City’s water supply system. The fee will be payable at the time of filing for a water service application.
Meter Size (see exceptions below)			Water Supply Fee
1 inch or less 1 ½ inch 2-inch 3-inch 4-inch 6-inch			$3,000 $4,500 $6,000 $9,000 $12,000 $18,000
(2) A water supply fee for a one-family dwelling located on a single, non-contiguous, Form “A” lot shall be $1,000.
(3) A water supply fee for a one unit of a two-family dwelling located on a single, non-contiguous, Form “A” lot shall be $1,000. The second unit shall be subject to the fee stated above based on meter size.
D. Plan review. Definitive subdivision plans, site plans, water main extension plans and other plans submitted more than twice for approval shall reimburse the Water Department $100 per hour plus any expenses incurred to complete the additional review.
§ 250-3 Water Laboratory Analysis Fees		Varies for each test		Call the Water Treatment Plant at (978) 374-2385
§ 250-15 Cross Connection Program Fees and charges
A. Schedule
Task		Rate
Backflow initial test – commercial Backflow initial test – residential		$85 $35 $10 for 2nd device at same location
Backflow service call		Time and material basis as defined in § 250-2 $55 per hour laborer charge $65 per hour equipment rate plus materials
Backflow test – commercial Backflow test – residential		$85 $35 $10 for 2nd device at same location
New Water Main Chlorination/Disinfection Testing		$100.00
Water System Analysis		$400.00
Water Infrastructure Fee		$400.00 per unit			Due with Water Service Application

Water Treatment Plant

Plant Manager: John D'Aoust (ext. 3850)

Chemist:            Steven Quaglietta (ext. 3852)

Senior
Operator:           Chad Simoes (ext. 3851)

Operations:       978-374-2385 (ext. 3853)

Address:          131 Amesbury Road
                           Haverhill, MA 01830-2801

Telephone:        978-374-2385
Fax:                    978-374-2400

The City's Drinking Water Treatment Plant operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week to provide the highest quality water to the residents of the City. On average, the plant produces over 2 billion gallons of water each year. Water quality is continuously monitored by laboratory testing and online analysis to assure our water meets and exceeds state and federal drinking water regulations at all times. The water treatment plant also maintains several facilities to maintain adequate water pressure and volume throughout Haverhill's hilly landscape.

The City of Haverhill is currently supplied with water from Kenoza Lake, Millvale Reservoir, Round Pond and Crystal Lake. Chadwick Pond and Johnsons Pond serve as emergency sources of supply. Kenoza Lake serves as the terminal reservoir where the water treatment plant is located. Water from Millvale Reservoir and Crystal Lake is pumped to Kenoza Lake. Water from Round Pond flows by gravity to Kenoza Lake.

Water is pumped from Kenoza Lake to the treatment plant, which is adjacent to the Lake. The water treatment plant, built in 1980 and renovated in 2020, has a capacity of 12 million gallons per day. Treatment processes for the plant include pre-oxidation, coagulation by flash mixing with static mixers, tapered flocculation, dissolved air flotation, sand media filtration, granular activated carbon adsorption, fluoridation, corrosion control using zinc orthophosphate, and chlorine disinfection.

The Water Treatment Plant prepares a Consumer Confidence Report annually to provide consumers with information on our drinking water quality. The CCR is mailed annually to all our customers. If you have questions please call us at (978) 374-2385. You can access the most recent published CCRs here.

Please see the public notice regarding information on Haverhill's UCMR3 data.

View Haverhill's source water assessment and protection (SWAP) report here: SWAP (2003).

Billing Office	City Hall, Room 300 4 Summer Street Haverhill, MA 01830
Office Hours	Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Telephone	(978) 374-2370
Fax	(978) 374-2366

Haverhill's 311 call center lets Haverhill residents report non-emergency issues. Anyone within the city limits can dial 311 to reach trained operators Mondays thru Fridays from 8:00am to 4:00pm for responses to non-emergency questions and concerns. The 311 call center makes it easy to report potholes, street light outages, downed trees or wires, flooding, trash issues and 200 other concerns.

Haverhill 311 can be accessed from anywhere within the city by calling 311 or 978-358-1311. Using 311 and providing an email, residents can report then track issues using emails and texts with the system.

Inside the city call - 311
Outside the city call - 978-358-1311

Haverhill also has an Alert System that quickly sends you critical information about emergencies such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. It also reminds people of important community news such as City Council meetings and cultural events.

By signing up, you will receive time-sensitive messages anywhere you specify - home, business or cellphones, emails, texts and social media. You choose both the types of alert(s) you want and how to receive them.

Sewer Emergencies

Telephone: (978) 374-2384

Provide your name, phone number and brief description of the problem. City personal will check for blockages in the City’s line.

If there is no obstruction in the City’s line, then it may be necessary for you to contact a plumber to check your line serving your home or business as this line is owned by you.

Water Emergencies

Telephone: (978) 374-2368

On-call personnel are available anytime.

Monday thru Thursday after 3 p.m. there is a minimum call-out charge of 3 hours at $55 per hour.

After 3 p.m. Friday thru 7 a.m. Monday there is a minimum call-out charge of 4 hours $55 per hour.

Haverhill City Hall
4 Summer Street
Haverhill MA, 01830

Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:00
Call Center 311 (within city limits)
(978) 358-1311 (outside the city)

Online Service Requests