Water & Sewer Rate Changes 2023
Here is an update of recent changes to the Town’s water and sewer rate structure that is intended to conserve water, decrease sewage, and provide equity among consumers.
This new rate structure will be reflected in your current bill and was approved by the Swampscott Select Board on April 1,2023.
Our rate structure factors in consumption tiers as part of the billing process.
It is important to note that these tiers are required under MGL Chapter 165, Section 2B, which states that Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) communities shall have a base rate that “shall be increased at an increasing block rate to fairly reflect the resources demand and consumption of high-volume users of water.” Based on an opinion from Swampscott’s Town Counsel, adoption of a tiered rate is obligatory, not discretionary as a deliberate policy choice of the Legislature intended to conserve water and decrease sewage.
NEW RATES
CONSUMPTION RATE | CHARGE | CHARGE | |
Block 1 | First 2500 Cubic Feet | $7.70 | $ 6.04 |
Block 2 | 2501 through 25000 Cubic feet | $ 7.98 | $ 6.83 |
Block 3 | 25001- Max cubic feet | $ 8.20 | $ 7.56 |
BASE RATE | Water/quarter | Sewer/quarter | |
Block 1 | First 1000 Cubic Feet | $ 13.25 | $ 20.00 |
Block 2 | 1001 through 25000 Cubic feet | $ 14.35 | $ 21.53 |
Block 3 | 25001- Max Cubic feet | $ 14.35 | $ 21.53 |
*HCF=Hundred Cubic Feet
If you have any questions, you may contact the Department of Public Works at 781-596-8860.