The Westerly Water and Sewer Department maintain a twenty-four-hour service for emergency work only. Westerly Police Department at 401-596-2022 or Dispatch at 401-348-2589 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 after business hours is subject to a minimum labor charge of $100.00 that will be billed directly to the property owner.

All residential Sewer bills are charged a “Flat Fee” charge currently billed at $356.00 per year or $178.00 semi-annually. This bill is not dependent of any water that passes through the meter.

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 and most of the time they are SILENT leaks!

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.
• You can check this yourself by adding a little food coloring to the back tank (enough to change the color of the water). Do NOT flush the toilet. Wait about 15-30 minutes and then check the toilet BOWL (not the tank, the bowl). If the color has gone from the holding tank to the bowl you need to replace the flapper valve in the holding tank as it is not holding the seal any longer.
• If you have an outside sprinkler system for your lawn, these use a lot of water so expect your bill to be quite a bit higher in the seasons it is being used. The underground system can also develop a leak in the piping. To check this, make sure there is no water being used in your house and turn the water on to the sprinkler system, but do not run the system. Then look at your leak detector on the meter (small red triangle) This should not be moving if you are not running water. If it is moving, and your toilets are fine (see above for info on them), you may have an underground leak in your sprinkler system.

Potential causes of discolored water or low water pressure cam include:

 - 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. 

-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.

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 provided 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 transaction fee for these last two options

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

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 as indicated on their government issued identification. 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. 

- A copy of your government issued identification must be provided

- The exemption can only be applied after this form is filled out. Back credits will not be provided on bills already issued to you.

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 and their contact information 

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.

A seasonal water account means that we remove your water meter and reinstall it on a seasonal basis. The homeowner or plumber would be responsible for scheduling the removal or installation of the meter and must be called in at least 48 hours in advance, please call us at 401-348-2559 or 401-348-2560. The charge for this service is $100.00 to remove and $100.00 to install, and you will be billed on an annual basis in December of each year.