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Who should I contact if I have a question on my water/sewer/trash bill?
Any questions regarding the water/sewer/trash bill should be directed to the Department of Public Works Water Department at 781-438-2583 during normal business hours.
I’m selling/buying a house in Stoneham, what should I do for a final reading?
The current owner/real estate agent/lawyer has to contact the Department of Public Works during normal business hours at 781-438-0760 or 781-438-2583 to set up a final water meter reading, at least 72 hours in advance of the closing.
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Please have the buyer/new owner’s name available as we will need it before we can set up an appointment. |
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Appointments are scheduled 2 days prior to passing (excluding weekends), Monday-Friday at a specific time. |
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Someone will have to be at the property that is being sold to allow the meter reader to enter the house to read and inspect the water meter for the closing. |
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The reading will then be brought to the Water Department at the Public Works, 16 Pine Street, where a confirmation of meter reading will be processed. |
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The confirmation of meter reading can be picked up at the Public Works Office, 16 Pine Street, the following normal business day after 9:00 a.m.
There is a $25.00 fee for a missed scheduled appointment |
Does the Town of Stoneham allow second water meters?
Yes, the Town of Stoneham does allow second water meters. The rules and regulations of second water meters are as follows:
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Customer must hire a licensed plumber who will be responsible to obtain a plumbing permit from the Building Department |
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The plumber would then purchase the water meter from the Public Works, 16 Pine Street. The plumber must have a copy of the plumbing permit and a bank check for the water meter made out to TI-Sales (contact the Public Works for current meter prices). In addition, Effective July 1, 2008, the plumber must also have a bank check (or cash) made out to the Town of Stoneham for $100.00. |
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The plumber is responsible to install the water meter so that all water passes through the primary meter first. All second water meters are to be installed with the current outside reading device. |
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There are absolutely no inside connections (drawoffs, spigots, etc.) allowed after the second water meter inside the dwelling. |
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Second water meters are for outside usage only (example: filling of pools, washing vehicles, watering gardens/lawn) |
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An inspection must be made by the Public Works Department and the Plumbing Department before any credits will be issued on water/sewer/trash bills. |
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Any water that is used on the second water meter will be forfeited if an inspection has not been made by this Department for an inspection prior to the use of the second water meter. |
The fire hydrant in front of my house is leaking, who should I report that to?
Contact the Public Works at 781-438-0760 with the location of the fire hydrant.
I see water coming up from the street, a manhole, or my property, should I report that to anyone?
Yes, contact the Public Works at 781-438-0760 – if after normal business hours, contact the Stoneham Police Department at 781-438-1215.
How can I tell if I have a leak in my home?
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Find your water meter - All water meters have leak indicators. The red indicator (diamond or triangle shape) is on the left side of the water meter register. If that indicator is moving and water is not being used, that indicates that there is a water leak. Only water makes the indicator move |
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Turn off the water supply to every water-using item inside and outside your home or building, including faucets, toilets, showers, dishwashers, clothes washers and sprinklers. |
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Take a reading of your water meter |
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Be sure not to use any water in your home or building for at least an hour |
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Take a second reading of your water meter |
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If your second reading is higher than your first, you probably have a leak |
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If you suspect a certain fixture, such as a toilet, take blue food coloring and put 12 drops in the tank. Stir the water, then wait 20 minutes. If the color appears into the bowl, the toilet is leaking. Most toilet leaks are silent and water does not appear on the floor. |
What should I do if my faucet is leaking?
Dripping, trickling or oozing faucets can waste several hundred gallons of water a week, depending on the size of the drip. Worn out washers are the main cause of these leaks. Washers are typically located under the faucet handle. They are very inexpensive to replace.
For further information on water conservation please visit Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's website at WWW.MWRA.COM.
I want the water shut off to my house, who do I contact?
Contact the DPW at 781-438-0760 to schedule an appointment during normal business hours. Fee’s apply.
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