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1. What is a small meter quarterly charge?

It is a charge that all town residents pay quarterly & it helps fund & maintain the mains throughout the town as well as your individual water service.

2. When do I receive my overage bill?

The Town of Yarmouth does not have an overage charge. There are four quarterly charges a year depending on the size of your meter and once a year we read your meter and bill you for consumption.

3. May the homeowner or their plumber remove the water meter for seasonal purposes?

Only the water department personnel may remove or install water meters as prohibited in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 165 section 11.

4. What should I do if a pipe burst within my home?

Shut the valve off on your side of the meter. If you do not have a shut off valve after the meter then shut the valve off before the meter. This stops the water from entering your household plumbing.

5. What do I do if the pipe before the water meter breaks or leaks?

Call the Yarmouth Water Department office at 508-771-7921.

6. I am a seasonal customer and I do not use my water in the winter. Why do I still receive a bill for a quarterly charge?

Regardless if you use the water or not it is there for your use. Unless, the house is declared vacant, quarterly charges apply. (see: Yarmouth Code 225-26)

7. What should I do if I am selling my home?

If you are selling your home through a real estate agent or privately the water department requires five business days to read the meter to prepare a final bill and transfer from. Also, supply the buyer's name and billing address as shown on the Purchase and Sales Agreement.

8. How do I read my water meter?

The water meter is read from left to right like a car odometer.

9. Is there a way to tell if I have a leak?

After making sure there is no water being used in the house or building, check the water meter for any movement as indicatd by the low flow indicator (typically a red triad shaped spinner). If there is any movement of this indicator there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing or fixtures.

10. What if the low flow indicator is moving?

One of the most common leaks, after dripping faucets, is the toilet. Remove the lid from the tank and add a small amount of talcum powder on the water surface. Any movement will indicate a leak. You may also put food coloring in the tank, wait fifteen to twenty minutes and check the toilet bowl. If there is discoloration in the bowl the flap in the tank may need to be cleaned or replaced.

If, your toilet is not leaking you will also need to check all the faucets inside and outside the house.

Don't forget to check your irrigation system by turning off the supply valve to the irrigation system and observing the low flow indicator on the water meter.

11. Is the water department a part of Dig Safe?

No. The water department is not a part of Dig Safe. State laws require anyone who digs to notify utility companies before starting. Digging can be dangerous and costly without knowing where underground facilities are located when requesting a mark out of the water main and service. You must supply the permit number as confirmation.

The toll free number is: 888-DIG-SAFE (344-7233)

12. Is there fluoride in the water supply?

No.