Water & Sewer Billing

UPDATE: 02/19/2025


We heard you and change is coming. 

In the next week, property owners will receive a notice in the mail announcing the return of our previous water and sewer invoicing company, Pennichuck. The laws of procurement dictated that the city contract with Diversified Technology as the lowest responsible bidder. The same laws allowed us to terminate the contract and employ Pennichuck on an interim basis as the city prepares a new Request for Proposal (RFP) in the coming weeks.

The payment portal on the city website will be live online, March 3, 2025. Rates for your services will remain the same, and your account number will remain the same.

The previous billing company, Diversified Technology, will continue to receive checks until February 27, 2025. After February 27, 2025, mailed payments will need to be sent to Pennichuck at a new address:

City of Amesbury
 c/o Pennichuck
 PO Box 310
 Nashua, NH 03060-0310

We understand this change may cause an inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

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UPDATE: 8/13/2024


Graphic Illustration of a water pipeThe City of Amesbury operates a Water Enterprise Fund and a Sewer Enterprise Fund. Due to the rising costs of materials and equipment maintenance, the Water Fund’s retained earnings balance has been almost completely depleted and is being used to run the operation. After operating in these circumstances for more than 8 years, a thorough water rate study and subsequent action was necessary to ensure that water revenues will cover water expenses and build back up our water retained earnings. Future rate action will be necessary to ensure balanced budgets moving forward, in addition to funding much needed and anticipated capital expenses.

Additionally, the city must meet current state and federal requirements associated with the operations of our municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). Municipalities have grappled with these standards as compliance tightens. Amesbury has improved preventative measures including street sweeping and catch basin cleaning. However, to achieve and maintain compliance there is more work to do. To do this work, additional funds are required, and the city is seeking to implement a stormwater fee.

New Water & Sewer Fees

The City of Amesbury will be increasing water rates and sewer fees, effective October 1, 2024 (July, August, September usage). Current quarterly water charges are based on a flat rate of $9.00 per 100 cubic feet of water used with a minimum charge of $67.50 Water rates will be restructured this year and increase 6% next year (FY26) with the expectation that it will stabilize the fund. Water rates will be reviewed again in FY27. Water charges will now be based on a tiered billing system reflecting usage.

Water rates effective October 1,2024 (July, August, September usage).

Tier

Start 

(cubic feet)

End 

(cubic feet)

FY25 (October 1st)

Rate ($ /100 cubic feet)

FY26 (July 1st)

Rate ($ /100 cubic feet)

1

1

750

8.50

9.01

2

751

1,500

10.00

10.60

3

1,501

3,000

11.50

12.19

4

3,001

10,000

13.00

13.78

5

10,001

+

14.50

15.37

 

Sewer Rates and Fees

The current flat rate for sewer is $7.25 per 100 cubic feet of flow. The city has a minimum charge ($54.38 per bill) based on the first 750 cubic feet wastewater out of the building. The sewer use rates will remain the same at this time. Future rate increases may be needed due to market conditions for supplies like energy, chemicals and labor. 

To comply with state and federal requirements in association with the operations of the city’s municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) all water/sewer accounts will be charged a $25.00/quarter fee or stormwater fee. A compliance unit within the existing Amesbury sewer utility will use stormwater receipts to operate, maintain and update the city’s storm sewer systems as well as comply with current regulatory requirements.

Water and Sewer Rate Study

Amesbury Rate Study 2024 Final 8.6.2024 (.PDF)


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Paying Your Bill Online

Online payment information will always be shown on your bill. A service fee will apply.

Credit Card Payment

cc billing


ACH Payment

You can pay by providing your banking information (account number and routing number). There is a $.50 processing charge.

If you experience any difficulties, please contact online support at (800) 553-5191, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM until 7:00 PM EST and Friday from 7:30 AM until 5:00 PM EST. Please have your utility account number ready when calling.

Paying by Mail

The previous billing company, Diversified , will accept checks up until 2/27/2025. After 2/27/2025, all mailed payments will need to be sent to Pennichuck at a new address:

City of Amesbury
 c/o Pennichuck
 PO Box 310
 Nashua, NH 03060-0310

A pre-addressed remittance envelope will come with your bill. Your payments will remain payable to “The City of Amesbury”. 

Please do not use the secure drop box outside city hall to submit payment. Bills must be mailed directly to Pennichuck. The use of the drop box for your water and sewer bill can result in a late payment.


Paying by Electronic Check or Bank Payment

If you currently pay through your own bank with electronic checks/payments, you will need to update the account information (payee, address, account number).

Customer Service

Customer service questions related to final meter reads, online payments, and accounts, can be directed to customer-service@pennichuck.com or by calling (800) 553-5191.

Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM until 7:00 PM EST and Friday from 7:30 AM until 5:00 PM EST. Please have your utility account number ready when calling.


Late Water Bill Payments

Missed Payments:

Missed payments will result in the remaining balance being carried over to the next quarterly billing. No additional bill will be sent between billing cycles. The balance carried over will incur interest at 14% annually and will be applied to the next bill 

Partial Payments:

Partial payments will result in the remaining balance being carried over to the next quarterly billing. No additional bill will be sent between billion cycles. The balance carried over will incur interest at 14% annually and will be applied to the next bill.

Leins:

Any remaining balance unpaid by December 10th of the calendar year will result in a lien placed on the property associated with the account and will show on the January property tax bill. The balance carried over into the tax bill will incur interest at 14% annually.

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Spike In Your Water Bill?

An unexpected increase in usage may be a sign of a water leak. 

Did you know that even the smallest of leaks in your home or business could waste more than 90 gallons of water each day? If you have experienced unexpected spikes in your water bill, visit the State website for tips on how to identify possible leaks.

https://bit.ly/3I50FMC

Note: If your meter is failing it will either slow down or stop completely - it can not increase speed resulting in increased usage.

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Water/Wastewater Bill Abatement Process

If you feel that your water and/or wastewater bill is inaccurate and higher than it should be, please follow these steps.  Filing for an abatement is the last step in this process. If you do not follow these steps, your application will take much longer to resolve. You will be asked to start back at the beginning which will ultimately prolong the process and take you longer to get an answer. 

Step 1:  

  • Call Pennichuck at (800) 553-5191 when you have a question about your bill. Have your account number ready and available. If Pennichuck cannot explain what happened, they will contact the Water Division at the City of Amesbury to have staff check the meter. 
     
  • If the meter appears to be working, Water Division staff will pull the meter and analyze the meter.
     
  • The Water Division will give the analysis of the data to Diversified who will call the you as the customer with the City’s findings.
    If the meter appears to be inoperable and not working, Water Division staff will replace the meter.

Step 2:

If the you are unhappy with the outcome of the analysis and still believe your bill is inaccurate, you can file for an abatement. Abatement forms are available by contacting Public Works (form and policy available at Public Works).

For Pool-Fill situations, go straight to the Abatement Request Form.

Amesbury Water Division is responsible for service to over 6,000 metered locations. A very small percentage experience billing issues and most of those can be resolved by following these steps. If you have any questions please call the Department of Public Works at 978-388-8116.