Water Meters

Water Usage:

Water usage is measured by your water meter.  Water meters used in Marblehead measure usage in cubic feet and users are charged per 100 cubic feet.  One hundred cubic feet equals approximately 748 gallons of water.

Your water meter is located inside the dwelling to protect it from freezing. It is suggested that the meter be insulated from drafts and cold air as additional protection.  A frozen meter is the responsibility of the homeowner and is a billable cost.

Water Meters:

Water meters are the property of the Marblehead Water & Sewer Commission and are governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 165, Section 11.  It is prohibited for anyone other than Water & Sewer personnel to remove, replace, repair or otherwise disturb a water meter.  Any meter damaged by frost or negligence shall be repaired or replaced by the water department at the property owner's expense.  It is the Commission's intention to pursue violators to the fullest extent permitted.

Whoever unlawfully and intentionally injures, or suffers to be injured, a water meter belonging to a city, town, district, or company engaged in supplying water, or prevents such meter from duly registering the quantity of water supplied through it, or hinders or interferes with its proper action or just registration, or attaches a pipe to a main or pipe belonging to the city, town, district or water company, or otherwise uses or causes to be used the water supplied by a city, town, district or company without the consent of the same, unless it passes through a meter set by such city, town, district or company, shall be punished by a fine of triple the amount of damages sustained thereby or $1,000, whichever is greater or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.  Damages shall include the value of the water used and the cost of labor and equipment repair and replacement.  (Mass. General Laws Chapter 165, Section 11). 

The customer will be charged for all water passing through the meter whether used, wasted or lost by leakage.  Delinquent accounts are subject to service termination.  Unpaid water and sewer bills constitute a lien on real estate (Mass. General Laws Chapter 40, Sections 42A-42F).