Special Service Fees

In accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 60, Section 23B:

"...for land of less than one acre upon which there is no permanent structure, a fee of twenty-five dollars; for land upon which is situated no more than a single-family residence and outbuildings, a fee of twenty-five dollars; for land upon which is situated no more than a two-family residence and outbuildings, a fee of twenty-five dollars; for land upon which is situated no more than a three-family residence with outbuildings, a fee of twenty-five dollars; for land upon which is situated a residence for four or more families, a fee of one hundred dollars; for land upon which is situated a commercial, industrial or public utility structure, a fee of one hundred and fifty dollars; for farms, forest land and all other real property, a fee of fifty dollars. In no case shall the fee exceed one-half of one percent of the assessed value of the real estate...."

An annual inspection is required for all double-check valve assembly type backflow prevention devices. All other types require semi-annual inspection.

Where hazardous and potentially life-threatening conditions exist in a commercial building requiring a cross connection inspection, the property owner, after BWSC pre-approval, may engage the services of an MDEP certified cross-connection inspector to perform the requisite inspection. After completion of the inspection and receipt of the report, the BWSC will assess an administrative fee to process the mandatory paperwork required by law.

For inspections that take place during regular work hours, will be charged $350.00, inspections are done outside regularly scheduled work hours (overtime), will be charged $405.00, inspections that are done on Sundays or holidays will be charged $465.00 per connection or disconnection.

A daily fee is assessed while providing water and sewer inspection services on construction projects of one or more day's duration.

Not applicable if an account was terminated for non-payment of charges.

Applicable to any account requesting water turn-on services.

Charge for mailing and posting final termination notice and demand for payment pursuant to the Billing, Termination and Appeal Regulations of BWSC.

BWSC currently requires a $750.00 deposit for hydrant meters issued to private contractors. The deposits are refundable upon return of hydrants less any usage fees or charges for damage to the meter. On occasion, a hydrant meter is not returned to BWSC because it has been lost, stolen or misplaced. Other times a hydrant meter may be returned with a broken, damaged or frozen insert that causes it to under-register or not register water consumption at all. In both these instances, BWSC is unable to calculate the amount of water used. Staff recommends that a standard $400.00 water usage fee be applied in these circumstances.

Hydrant Meter Replacement Cost

Check Valve $125.00

Hose Cap Reducer 2 ½ x ¾$100.00

Hose Nipple$150.00

Hydrant Cap$240.00

Meter Insert$400.00

Hydrant Meter Lost/Broken $1,800.00

Hydrant Wrench$150.00

No charge if the meter is over-registering, based on American Water Works Association standards, or BWSC ordered a test.

Size of MeterTest Fee

5/8-inch $425.00

1-inch $475.00

1 ½ -inch $800.00

2-inch $825.00

3-inch or larger Cost plus Materials

Maps, drawings, and prints may be obtained from BWSC on request. Public agencies and BWSC consultants and contractors (on bid projects only) receive maps at no charge. The cost per map is detailed below:

Base Maps

• Prints: $6.00/sheet
• Paper Sepias: $6.00/sheet
• Mylar Sepias*: $50.00/set plus printer’s charge
• Wash off Mylars*: $50.00/set plus printer’s charge

* Sold to government agencies only

Water and Sewer Maps

• Prints: $6.00/sheet
• Paper Sepias: $6.00/sheet
• Mylar Sepias: Not Available
• Wash off Mylars: Not Available

* Sold to government agencies only

Digital Images

• Orthophotographs One foot resolution: (Mr. SID)
  • Citywide Area: $300.00 
  • Not Available by tile area
• 100' scale PDFs of Water & Sewer Facilities
  • Citywide Area: $250.00
  • By Tile Area: $6.00/map tile

Data Layers

• Personal Geodatabase:
  • Citywide Area: $150.00 per layer
  • By Tile Area: $20.00
• Water AutoCAD DXF format: 
  • Citywide Area: $250.00
  • By Tile Area: $5.00
• Sewer AutoCAD DXF format:
  • Citywide Area: $250.00
  • By Tile Area: $5.00
• Landbase AutoCAD DXF format:
  • Citywide Area: $250
  • By Tile Area: $5.00

The replacement cost of frozen meters by size:

Size of MeterReplacement Cost

• 5/8-inch: $375.00
• 1-inch: $400.00
• 1 ½ -inch: $700.00
• 2-inch: $760.00
• 3-inch or larger: Cost plus Materials

Associated cost for services based on annual contract bid.

BWSC requires that hydrants used for private fire protection be purchased from the BWSC at cost.

Industrial stormwater inspections are scheduled to be conducted bi-annually. The inspections are required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the prevention of pollution to rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans. This is an Industrial Facility Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program Inspection Fee Schedule.

Major Industry (1 acre or greater):

• Initial Inspection $260.00
• Bi-annual Inspection $225.00
• Certificate of No Exposure $115.00

Minor Industry/Business (less than 1 acre):

• Initial Inspection $150.00
• Bi-annual Inspection $150.00
• Certificate of No Exposure $75.00

BWSC requires an as-built plan for each approved site plan. The as-built plans are to be submitted by the owner for all projects deemed complex by BWSC. All other as-built plans will be created by BWSC for a fee of $200.00 per site. BWSC will determine which site plans will require an as-built plan submitted by the owner or an as-built plan to be created by the BWSC for $200.00.