TAUNTON — Tauntons water and sewer rates are going up to help pay for over $120 million in needed and mandatory upgrades to the city’s water and sewer systems and wastewater treatment plant.
The five-year plan, calculated for inflation, will increase the average single family household’s annual water bill by around 2% per year or $10 per year.
Thats based on an “average” family size of 2.47 people using 60 gallons per day. For them, the annual bill will go from $496 a year in fiscal 2022 to $553 a year by 2028.
On the sewer side, the rates would go up by around 3.5% or $25 a year for an average household. That will bring the annual bill for an average household from $712 in fiscal 2022 to around $844 a year in 2028.
The City Council on Sept. 13 listened to presentations from the DPW and engineers on where the money is going and why these rate increases need to happen.
Taunton CFO Patrick Dello Russo explained that most of the intended upgrades for this five-year plan will get paid for through 0% interest loans from the state, with the revenue from the rate increases immediately covering these loans so no more debt is accumulated by the city.
“Our plan is to pay as we go. After that, we’re putting the credit card back in the wallet,” said Dello Russo.
Are you confused about your Taunton water bill payment options? You’re not alone! As a resident of Taunton, Massachusetts, I’ve navigated the sometimes frustrating process of paying water bills, and I’m here to share everything I’ve learned.
The City of Taunton Water Division serves approximately 58,088 residents, and whether you’re new to the area or just looking for an easier way to handle your quarterly water bill, this guide will help you understand all your options.
Understanding Your Taunton Water & Sewer Bill
Before we dive into payment methods let’s understand what we’re actually paying for
- Billing Cycle: Quarterly for most residents, monthly for high-volume consumers
- Due Date: Thirty days after issue date
- Late Penalties: 14% annual interest on late payments (postmarks not accepted)
- End of Year Consequences: After June 30th, unpaid balances may incur a $25 demand fee and could be added to your next year’s real estate tax bill as a lien
The City of Taunton Water Division has been providing water since 1864, drawing from six surface water sources and two wells that pump from the Stratified-Drift Aquifers in the Taunton River Basin.
5 Ways to Pay Your Taunton Water Bill
The good news is that Taunton offers multiple payment options to fit your preferences:
1. Pay Online
The most convenient method for many of us is paying online through City Hall Systems:
- Visit the City Hall Systems website
- You can create an account for regular payments or make one-time payments
- The system accepts credit cards and debit cards
2. Pay by Phone
Don’t have time to go online? No problem:
- Call 508-381-5455
- Have your bill handy for reference
- Follow the automated instructions
3. Pay by Mail
Old-school but reliable:
- Use the envelope included with your bill
- Make sure to mail it with enough time to arrive before the due date
- Remember, postmarks are NOT acceptable for determining on-time payment
4. Pay In-Person
If you prefer face-to-face transactions:
- Visit the Collector’s Office at 15 Summer Street, Taunton, MA 02780
- Bring your complete bill with you
- The staff can answer any questions you might have about your charges
5. Use the Drop Box
In a hurry outside of office hours?
- Use the overnight drop-box at 15 Summer Street near the Riverside Entrance
- Ensure payment is in a secure envelope
- Include your bill or account information
Common Questions About Taunton Water Bills
Who do I contact with questions about my bill?
For questions about water and sewer charges, billing issues, payment options, or outstanding amounts due:
- Contact the Water Department at 508-821-1045
- Visit in person at 90 Ingell Street, Taunton, Massachusetts 02780
- Note that no email address is provided – phone or in-person visits are your best options
How do I start or stop water service in Taunton?
When moving in
- You’ll likely already have running water
- But you’ll need to setup service with Taunton Water Department
- Fill out their online Start Service Form
- Processing usually takes two business days
When moving out:
- Complete their Stop Service Form online
- This also typically takes two business days to process
- Ensures you don’t keep getting billed after you leave
How’s the water quality in Taunton?
According to WaterZen’s rating, Taunton Water Department received an above-average “B+” grade for water quality. The amount of contaminants found in the water supply were lower than most other water providers analyzed, which is reassuring for residents.
Tips for Managing Your Taunton Water Bill
As someone who’s lived in Taunton for years, here are some tips I’ve found helpful:
-
Set calendar reminders for quarterly payments to avoid those pesky 14% interest charges
-
Consider automatic payments if you have a stable bank account – this has saved me from forgetting several times!
-
Check for leaks regularly – even small leaks can dramatically increase your bill over time
-
Keep an eye on your usage patterns – unusually high bills might indicate a problem
-
Contact the Water Department quickly if you notice anything unusual about your bill
Emergency Water Issues
If you encounter a broken water main or pipeline emergency, call 508-821-1045. This number is available 24 hours for urgent water infrastructure problems.
Final Thoughts
Paying your Taunton water bill doesn’t have to be complicated. With five different payment options and clear contact information, the system is designed to be accessible for all residents.
I’ve found that setting up online payments through City Hall Systems is the most convenient method, but it’s great to have alternatives when needed. The key is remembering those due dates to avoid the steep 14% interest penalty!
Remember that water bills fund our important local water infrastructure, which provides us with clean drinking water from the Assawompset Pond Complex and other local sources. The B+ water quality rating shows that our system is working well compared to many other municipalities.
Have you had any experiences with paying your Taunton water bill that might help others? Feel free to share them in the comments below!
Quick Reference Guide
| Payment Method | Contact/Address | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Online | City Hall Systems website | Credit/debit card |
| Phone | 508-381-5455 | Your bill, payment method |
| Use envelope provided | Check, account info | |
| In-Person | 15 Summer Street, Taunton, MA 02780 | Full bill |
| Drop Box | 15 Summer Street (Riverside Entrance) | Payment in secure envelope |
For all billing questions or concerns, contact the Water Department at 508-821-1045 or visit them at 90 Ingell Street.
Stay on top of those payments, and you’ll avoid the headaches of late fees and potential liens on your property!
‘Years and years of not upkeeping our systems’
Aside from some significant upgrades in the 1970s, and some minor upgrades in 2000, no major improvements have been done to the plant for decades.
A big feat for Taunton was bringing its stormwater and sewage systems into the 21st century. Dating back to the 1870s in the city, both systems were originally interconnected, a combined sewer system, meaning the stormwater system overflowed every time it rained hard, leading to cross contamination and waste discharged into local waterways where stormwater ended up.
An administrative consent order from the state Department of Environmental Protection in 2005, followed by a consent order from the federal Environmental Protection Agency in 2008, both required the separation of the interconnected sewer and stormwater systems.
The city spent $72 million over 15 years to separate its stormwater runoff system from its sewage system.
Where the money is going
For the water rate increase, $31.4 million will be spent on upgrades to the Assawompsett Pond pump station, upgrades to the Prospect Hill reservoir, replacing water meters in the city, installing and replacing new fire hydrants and installing brand new piping for water mains.
Ben Levesque from environmental engineering firm Tighe and Bond explained to the Council that most of Taunton’s water system was originally made up of unlined cast iron pipe, which is prone to massive amounts of buildup of corrosion.
Twenty-five percent of Taunton’s system is still this cast iron and needs to be replaced.
The city is using $5.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds on the upgrades, which helped lower the water rate increase.
When Councilor Phillip Duarte asked why ARPA funds were being used for these projects, Dello Russo explained projects like the upgrades to the Assawompset Pond pump station and Prospect Hill Reservoir “needed to get off the ground earlier,” before the loans and approved rate increases could be secured.
Russo said these projects are either out to bid for a contractor or have already started because the city utilized ARPA funds.
For the sewer rate increase, $96.5 million will be spent. Of that, $10.5 million is to finish the remaining upgrades to the main pump station in the city, which helps remove raw sewage discharge and minimize overflows. And $6 million is going towards upgrades for the city’s sludge treatment facility.
The remaining $80 million is going towards upgrades and new infrastructure for the actual wastewater treatment plant.
By the end of the project, the plan’s intake for permitted flow will go from 8.4 million gallons to 10.2 million gallons, a feat meant to accommodate future growth for the city. These upgrades to the plant are slated to be complete in late 2023 or early 2024.
Councilor Christopher Coute praised the approach Dello Russo is proposing.
“I do appreciate the pay-as-you-go approach and not being reliant on debt service,” Coute said.
