We bill our water customers with a two-part bill: the fixed fee portion “Service Charge” and the flow portion “Consumption Rates”. There are other fees and charges in our billing system, like the Public Service Hydrant Charge and Private Fire Sprinkler Charge, but Service Charge and Rates are the basic charges. We have the two-part billing system because our costs can be clearly separated into FIXED costs and FLOW costs. We use formulas and rate setting procedures established by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) to separate these two costs in our annual budget and rate review analysis. FIXED Costs are not impacted by the amount of water we supply. Typical FIXED Costs are debt service, insurance, customer service, etc. FLOW Costs are in some way impacted by the amount of water we pump or supply to our customers. Typical FLOW Costs are energy and chemicals, but in the AWWA formula also include: field staff salaries, meter recycling, and system repair and maintenance costs. The Water Service Charge is a fee based on the size of the water meter. Although the meter size is used to determine the amount billed it is not a “Meter Charge”. The size of the meter is simply a means to try to divide the FIXED Costs equitably. Typically, larger volume users have larger meters. Using this system, businesses and commercial properties pay their fair share for the higher level of water service they need.

Meter Size Quarterly Charges 5/8" $ 57.00 3/4" $ 171.00 1" $ 250.80 1 1/2" $ 524.40 2" $1,094.40 3" $2,918.40 4" $5,472.00 6" $12,312.00 Water Usage Charge on All Metered Accounts: $9.50 per 1,000 Gallons Public Fire Service, Hydrant, Sprinkler Charges: Charge Per Customer Per Quarter: $2.32 Private Fire Service, Hydrant, Sprinkler Charges: Meter Size Quarterly Charge 5/8 inch $ 8.00 3/4 inch $ 8.00 1 inch $ 11.60 1 1/2 inch $ 20.50 2 inch $ 46.50 3 inch $ 82.00 4 inch $ 186.00 6 inch $ 330.00

On average, our society uses almost 100 gallons of drinking water per person per day. Traditionally, water use rates are described in units of gallons per capita per day (gpcd), gallons used by one person in one day. Of the “drinking water” supplied by public water systems, only a small portion is actually used for drinking. As residential water consumers, we use most water for other purposes, such as bathing, toilet flushing, cooking, cleaning, and lawn watering.

There are many ways to conserve water that result in significant reductions. For example, residential water consumption can be reduced by using water-efficient fixtures (faucets, toilets, and showerheads) and appliances, and through better-managed lawn watering. Possible water savings are indicated as a percentage of total interior water use for conservation methods such as low-water use toilets, water-efficient faucets, and low-water use appliances.

You should receive your bill by the 15th day of March, June, September, and December. If you do not receive your bill by the 15th of the prelisted months, please contact DMWA for a copy. DMWA is not responsible for mail delivery. Failure to receive your bill does not negate customers' responsibility for payment nor waive the late payment penalty fee.

DMWA provides a 4 day grace period from the due date to ensure that checks mailed or dropped off at the bank on or before the due date do not incur a late fee. Payments received after the grace period date will be considered late and a 10% late fee will be added to the account.

A water emergency constitutes as not having any water or you are experiencing a major leak in your home. Should you be experiencing either of these issues, please call our emergency line at 610-425-2668.

Leaky toilets and faucets are the biggest cause of wasted water, resulting in large water bills. Toilets can account for almost 30% of all indoor water use and are the most common source for leaks. Check for leaky toilets by placing a few drops of food coloring in the back tank, if after about 45 minutes the dye has leaked into the toilet bowl, the toilet has a leak. Good water conservation and monitoring your fixtures will save you money. Call us if you need help at 610-269-5362.

If you have recently moved, changed your phone number or switched your email address, please contact DMWA to update your contact information as soon as possible. It is imperative that we have a valid phone number or email address to notify you should a water emergency occur. Visit www.dtownwater.com to fill out a contact information card, call 610-269-5362, or email billing@dtownwater.com to be in the know about your water.