Halifax home page > Town Departments > Water Department
Contact information:
Richard Clark, Water Superintendent
500 Plymouth Street
Halifax, MA 02338
Telephone: 781-293-1733
Fax: 781-293-1776
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:00am-4:00pm
Board of Water Commissioners:
Bonnie Wood, term expires 2011
Daniel Bosworth, Jr., term expires 2012
Donald A. Bosworth, term expires 2013
Meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm
Water Quality Report
The Water Quality Report for 2008 has been completed. The report includes information about the water system and test results.
Water Ban
Note: Water restrictions - As of July 6, 2010, the water restriction will be enforced. Watering is allowed from 6-9 a.m. and 6-9 p.m. from hand held hoses only, based on an odd and even system. If you live in an odd numbered home you can water on odd number days and vice versa. Hand held hoses only. No sprinklers. The Board of Water Commissioners would appreciate it if people would cooperate and conserve as much water as possible to avoid a TOTAL WATER BAN. If these restrictions are not adhered to the following fines will be enforced: 1st Offense - Verbal Warning, 2nd Offense - $50.00 fine, 3rd Offense - $100.00 fine, 4th Offense - Court Action Will Be Taken. The increased demand we have experienced can threaten public safety and the quality of public drinking water. In extreme cases, high water use can threaten the ability of municipalities to store water for water pressure and fire protection purposes. Watering during the heat of the day does not help your lawn and wastes water. If you have a well, please go to the Board of Health and obtain a well or irrigation well number. This number must be posted on the front lawn. In order to avoid the Water Department or Police, who enforce the policy, from stopping at your house, please follow the rules.
Rates
The Halifax Board of Water Commissioners has approved a restructure of the water rates and charges for all Halifax Water Department Customers. The new water rates include all operating costs and funds for capital improvements for the next 3 years.
The new charges will be for all water consumption after April 1, 2007. The October 2007 water bills will reflect the new water rates and charges.
"We want to assure our water customers that the objective of the Halifax Water Department is to continue to provide them with outstanding water quality at an affordable price." says Mr. Alfred Depaulo, Chairman of the Halifax Board of Water Commissioners. "The current water rates were last increased ten years ago in 1997."
Current Rate Structure
The current base charge of $85.00 allows up to 20,000 gallons semi-annually. All water consumption in excess of 20,000 gallons semi-annually is billed at $2.00 per 1,000 gallons.
Rates Structure (October billing and beyond)
The base charge will be reduced to $50.00 semi-annually with 0 gallons allowed in the base charge.
All consumption from 1,000 gallons to 50,000 gallons semi-annually will be charged at the rate of $2.55 per 1,000 gallons.
All consumption in excess of 50,000 gallons semi-annually will be charged at the rate of $4.39 per 1,000 gallons.
Average Customer Bill
The average Halifax Water Department customer uses approximately 40,000 gallons semi-annually. The current charge for 40,000 gallons semi-annually is $125.00. The 40,000 gallon semi-annual water charge will increase to $152.00, an increase of $27.00.
Richard Clark, Superintendent of the HWD said "We have many customers who never used the 20,000 gallons they were paying for. Many of the elderly only use 3,000 to 4,000 gallons. They will actually see a cost savings on their bill. This is a much fairer way of billing. It gives the residents of Halifax a way to control their water bill. The less you use the less you will pay. It will help to conserve water."
Mr. Clark went on to say "As always, we are making every effort to keep the water rates as low as possible while still maintaining the high level of service and water quality our customers have come to expect."
Chlorination
As part of the water treatment process, the water in the system is chlorinated.