How To Pay Your Braintree Water And Sewer Bill

Paying your water and sewer bill is an important responsibility for any resident or business owner in Braintree. Having access to clean drinking water and effective wastewater management is something we often take for granted. By paying your water and sewer bills promptly and correctly you help ensure that the town can continue providing these essential services at the highest quality.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about paying your Braintree water and sewer bill. We’ll cover how the bills are calculated when they are due, the various payment options available, and what to do if you have an issue with your bill.

How Water And Sewer Bills Are Calculated

There are two main factors that determine your water and sewer bill amount each billing cycle

• Water Usage – Your water meter tracks how much water your property uses each quarter. The base rate covers up to 7,480 gallons. Usage above that is charged at increasing block rates per 1,000 gallons.

• Sewer Charges – This is based on your water usage, since the majority of water used returns to the sewer system. There is a fixed meter charge and then a volume charge per 1,000 gallons.

Additional fees can include:

• Water System Improvement Charges – For ongoing upgrades to the water system infrastructure.

• MWRA Charges – Covers Braintree’s share of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s operating costs.

Water And Sewer Bill Payment Due Dates

Braintree issues water and sewer bills on a quarterly schedule. The billing periods and typical due dates are:

• January 1 to March 31, due around May 1
• April 1 to June 30, due around August 1
• July 1 to September 30, due around November 1
• October 1 to December 31, due around February 1

Payment must be received by the due date to avoid penalties. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, you have until the next business day.

Paying Your Water And Sewer Bill Online

The fastest and most convenient way to pay your Braintree water and sewer bill is online through the town’s web portal:

https://braintreema.gov/784/Pay

This portal allows you to securely pay by credit card or electronic check 24/7. You’ll need your account number and an email address to set up a login.

The benefits of paying online include:

• Immediate payment confirmation
• Avoid late fees
• View payment history
• Set up autopay
• Paperless billing

Online payments are processed by InvoiceCloud, which charges a small service fee (under $2 for most payments).

Paying By Mail

If you prefer, you can mail your water and sewer bill payment to:

Town of Braintree
P.O. Box 859508
Braintree, MA 02185-9508

Detach the payment stub from your bill and include it with your check or money order. Write your account number on the check.

Allow 3-5 business days for mailed payments to be received and processed to avoid late fees. Postmarks are not accepted, the payment must be received by the due date.

Paying In Person

You can also pay your water and sewer bill in person at Braintree Town Hall:

1 John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive
Braintree, MA 02184

Payments are accepted:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Tuesday: 8:30am – 7:00pm
• Friday: 8:30am – 1:00pm

Cash, check, money order or credit card are accepted for in-person payments.

Setting Up Autopay

Forgetting to pay your bill on time can lead to late fees and other headaches. Sign up for autopay to have your water and sewer payment automatically deducted each quarter.

To enroll in autopay:

• Log into the online payment portal
• Click on “My Profile”
• Choose “AutoPay”
• Select your payment method

Autopay payments will be processed on the bill due date. You can cancel or change your autopay option at any time through your online account.

Financial Assistance Programs

If you are having difficulty paying your water and sewer bill, Braintree does offer assistance programs:

Hardship Abatement Program – Low-income residents can have a portion of their bill forgiven based on financial need. Apply at Town Hall.

Senior Tax Work-Off Program – Seniors can perform volunteer work to earn a credit towards their bill.

In addition, you may qualify for a discounted rate through the Low Income Sewer and Water Assistance Program. Call the Braintree Welfare Department for more details.

What To Do If You Have A Bill Issue

If you believe there is an error on your water and sewer bill or have an issue with your charges, contact the Braintree Water & Sewer Division right away at 781-794-8233.

Some common bill issues include:

• High usage due to a leak – You may qualify for an adjustment if you had a covered leak on your private property. Report leaks immediately and provide proof of repair.

• Meter read error – If the meter read seems much higher than normal, you can request the meter be double checked.

• Incorrect charges – Verify that all fees and usage align with your property type.

• Failure to receive bill – If you didn’t get your bill, contact the Water & Sewer Division before the due date.

• Payment not credited – Check online or contact customer service if your payment is not showing as received.

Disputes and requests for billing adjustments must be made promptly and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. So inspect each bill carefully and address irregularities right away.

Avoid Late Fees And Service Disruption

If your water and sewer bill is not paid by the due date, you will incur the following penalties:

• Late Fee – 10% of the overdue balance, minimum $10

• Interest – Charged at 14% annually on unpaid balances

• Shut Off Notice – A $10 fee if your account is sent a shut off notice

• Water Service Shutoff – Nonpayment may result in your water being turned off

Avoid these extra costs and headaches by paying your bill fully and on time. Or call the Braintree Water & Sewer Division immediately if you anticipate difficulty making a payment so alternative arrangements can be made before service disruption occurs.

Braintree Water And Sewer Bill Pay Final Tips

• Enroll in autopay or pay online to avoid missed payments
• Check bills for any errors promptly
• Conserve water to reduce your usage charges
• Contact customer service with any bill questions
• Seek assistance if you are struggling to pay on time

Paying your water and sewer bills not only meets your civic responsibility, but keeps safe, clean water flowing for your household’s needs. Following the guidelines in this article will help ensure your payments are completed correctly and avoid any late fees or other issues.