BWSC Remains Flexible with Assisting Customers Experiencing Financial Difficulties
To assist customers in dealing with the impact of COVID – 19, the Commission suspended its usual collections procedures and the termination of water service for non-payment. To assure the Commission can continue providing a superior level of service, the resumption of collection activities is necessary.
Beginning with the August 2020 bills, delinquency charges and overtures for payment will recommence. The Commission remains ready to work together with customers in agreeing to manageable payment arrangements to assure there is no interruption in service. Customers requiring payment assistance should call the Commission’s Collections Department at (617) 989-7070.
Billing Information
How do you pay your bill? What do you do if you believe your bill is wrong? These answers and more are below.
To check your balance or make payments by phone, please call 844-470-5881.
Beginning June 1, 2021, customers who pay their water and sewer bills using a credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard and Discover) will be assessed a convenience fee of $4.95 by the third-party payment processor per every increment of $650. This fee is paid directly to the third-party service provider to cover processing costs and at no time does the fee enter the Commission’s records or does it receive any of the monies. BWSC continues to offer payment options without convenience fees. Payments made by cash, electronic check, or by mail with check are not subject to a convenience fee.
Payment and Refunds
Pay Online
Visit the My Account page to make electronic payments using your checking/money market account, debit card or credit card. BWSC accepts MasterCard, VISA, and Discover.
Pay by Mail
Mail check or money order directly to:
Boston Water and Sewer Commission
980 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02119
Pay in Person
BWSC offices are open to the public for business by appointment. To schedule an appointment call 617-989-7800. No walk-ins will be permitted during this time. A record of your visit, including a valid ID and phone number will also be required to comply with federal and state contact tracing regulations.
Pay In Your Neighborhood
Due to COVID-19, Neighborhood Site Visits are suspended until further notice. Customers can pay bills by any of the following means:
- By Phone at 844-470-5881
- Online
- Mail (980 Harrison Ave, Boston MA 02119)
For more information contact our Community Services Department at 617-989-7995.
Disputing Your Bill
If for any reason you believe your bill is wrong, you must notify BWSC within 30 days of the billing date for which the dispute is claimed. Contact Customer Service at 617-989-7800 and identify the amount and the reason you believe there is an error.
For more information on the appeals process, consult the BWSC Billing, Termination and Appeal Regulations (BT&A).
BT&A Regulations
Delinquency Charges
A delinquency charge will be added to any amount not paid within 31 days after the billing date shown on the front of your water and sewer bill. The delinquency charge is calculated at a daily rate of .03836%, which is equal to an annual percentage rate of 14%. BWSC has the authority to foreclose on your property if it remains delinquent six months or longer.
Once a formal demand is made, BWSC will charge 16% interest in lieu of the 14% delinquency charge. BWSC will take the property for past-due charges in the same manner that the City of Boston takes properties for past-due taxes. Similar to the City, BWSC will proceed to foreclosure on properties which remain delinquent six months after the taking.
If you are incurring delinquency charges, call Customer Service at 617-989-7800 for possible assistance.
Account Reactivation
In order to restore water service or understand why your water service has been terminated, please visit the Service Termination and Restoration page.
Payment Plans
If you need more time to pay your bill, please call Collections at 617-989-7070.
Refunds
If you have a credit on your bill, you may have the amount applied to future bills, transferred to another account or you may request a refund if all of your accounts are current.
Contact Customer Service for assistance at 617-989-7800.