FAQ’s

How do I establish service?

Go to the ‘Documents tab’ and select “application for service” or you may also obtain the application at the District office located on 1 Lambard Street, Bath.  Please note there is a $20.00 application fee.

How do I pay my bill?

Your water bill can be paid in person at the office or by phone (there is a nominal fee when you pay over the phone) between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:00pm at 1 Lambard St. in Bath, or on the District’s website with the “pay your bill” icon.

What if I receive a disconnection notice and I cannot pay my entire water bill in full?

Call the District office between the hours of 7:30am – 3:00 pm to establish a payment arrangement.  The office number is 443-2391.

Do I own my water meter?

No, the Bath Water District owns the meter in your home as well as the touch pad on the outside of your home for reading purposes.  However valves around your meter, backflow prevention devices, and all other plumbing are not owned by BWD.

Who is responsible for my water meter?

The customer is responsible for keeping the meter in a warm, dry, and accessible place. If the meter becomes “lost” or “damaged” in anyway, the customer will be billed separately for the broken or lost meter.  Please refer to the “Customer’s rights and responsibilities” under the ‘Documents tab’ for further information.

What should I do if I have dirty water?

If your water appears discolored or cloudy, try running the cold water for a short time.

 This should usually clear it up.  If the problem persists please call the District to have a representative take a look at the problem.

There is ‘pink slime’ in my shower. Is it caused by my water?

No, certain species of airborne bacteria gravitate towards and thrive in a moist environment, such as showers, toilet bowls, sink drains, tiles, and dog dishes. These slimes are naturally occurring and can be unattractive but are generally harmless. The best way to avoid this problem is to keep these surfaces free from the bacterial film through regular cleaning using Lysol or a chlorine-based product.

How do cubic feet refer to how many gallons of water I have used?

There are 7.48 gallons in one cubic foot of water, so if you used 100 cubic feet of water you used 748 gallons.

How many gallons of water, or HCF, does a typical family use in a quarter?

Your usage depends on the number of people in your household and your lifestyle. Refer to the chart below for estimated usage by household size.

Also consider your lifestyle: You will use more water compared to a household with the same number of people if:

• You take more showers or baths
• You take longer showers or baths
• You do outside watering or fill a pool
• You do more loads of wash
• You do more dishwasher loads
• You have more company
• Your family includes a teenager or a baby
• Your appliances and toilets are older and less efficient
• You have not installed low flow shower heads or taken other conservation measures
• You have internal plumbing leaks that have not been fixed

My water bill seems high or the same as last billing period. What could cause this?

• NUMBER OF DAYS IN THE READING PERIOD. This is the most common reason for a high or same bill. The days in your read period can fluctuate from month to month depending on the date we read your meter. A 32 day bill this month would usually be higher than a 28 day bill the previous month because there were more days to use water. The bill can be the same as the quarter before because we do not read the meters at the end of the month. We read 1 to 2 weeks before we produce the bills. For example: if we read your meter on the 22^nd of the month ending the quarter, your next bill will begin with the read beginning on the 23^rd and continue to when we read your meter at the end of the quarter (which could also be the 22^{n d} of the month).  Therefore your bill may be exactly the same as the previous quarterly bill.
• SEASONAL USAGE. If you have a seasonal fluctuation in your bill, consider your outside water use. Have you been watering your lawn and garden, filling a pool, or washing your car?
• LEAK. The first place to check for a leak is your toilet or faucets. Contact the office for toilet tank leak detecting tabs to determine a leak in your toilet.
• RATE INCREASE. Water Rates: BWD sends a letter to customers whenever our water rates change. Water rates are regulated by the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Wastewater Rates: The City of Bath establishes wastewater rates. BWD is only the billing agent for wastewater. All wastewater revenue billed and collected by BWD is turned over to the City of Bath.

Q: Can I receive a “credit” on my sewer bill for water used outside that does not go into the sewer system?

A: The City of Bath ordinance states that in order for residents to receive a “credit” on the sewer bill for water not going into the sewer system requires a subtract meter. The meter may be purchased at the Bath Water District, installed by a plumber, and the installation will then be inspected by the Bath Water District. There is a cost for the meter and an application needs to be completed before purchase. The application is available at the Bath Water District office.