Why is my Water/Sewer bill so high (compared to normal), and can you reduce it?

We most often find this is due to a leaking toilet of which the homeowner is unaware. Our local law does not allow for water bill reductions in this situation.

Department:

Water/Sewer

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FAQ

Why is my water service getting shut off?

If you are a property owner you must pay your bill in full in order to prevent service shut off. If you believe your meter reading is not accurate you should call the City Treasurer's Office on how to proceed.
If you believe you have a justifiable reason for non-payment of your water bill you may request a hearing on the matter pursuant to the City of Binghamton Code Section 405-52.C. Please note that simply not having adequate funds is not a justifiable reason for non-payment.
Your request for a hearing must be in writing, sent by certified mail to the City Treasurer and be post-marked not less than five days prior to the shut off date listed in the notice.

What should I do if I have received notice that my water service will be shut off?

If you believe you have a justifiable reason for non-payment of your water bill you may request a hearing on the matter pursuant to the City of Binghamton Code §405-52.C. Please note that simply not having adequate funds is not a justifiable reason for non-payment.

Your request for a hearing must be in writing, sent by certified mail to the City Treasurer and be post-marked not less than five days prior to the shut off date listed in the notice.

Does the City accept partial payments for water/sewer bills?

The City does accept partial payments for water/sewer bills. However, we also remind users that water service will be shut off if they fail to meet the aforementioned criteria.

How long do I have to pay my water/sewer bill?

The pay period is now 45 days from the date the bill is issued.

What should I do if I am a tenant and I have received notice that my water is going to be shut-off

If a landlord pays your water bill, you should contact them about payment of the building’s delinquent water bill. If you cannot reach your landlord, you are encouraged to contact a local service organization, such as the Department of Social Services or Volunteers of America. If you find yourself in this situation and you are a Binghamton University student, you are encouraged to contact the Office Campus College.

If you are a tenant and water service is included in your rent, you have the right to request a hearing on your own behalf to keep water service to the property. At the hearing you must be able to provide proof that:

1.) Your landlord is responsible for water bills, and

2.) Rent was paid to the landlord.

If you are able to provide proof of this, the hearing officer can prevent service shut off to the property if you agree to be responsible for all future water bills for as long as you are a tenant at the property. A copy of future water bills will be sent to both the landlord and the tenant.

Pursuant to New York State Real Property Law §235-a if you are a tenant living in an apartment building containing three or more units and you pay for water service as part of your rent, you may avoid water shut off by the City by paying the delinquent water bill in full and deducting the bill from future rent.

If you are a tenant living in a single or two-family home and you pay for water service as part of your rent, you may wish to consult with private counsel on what legal remedies you have.

My water smells like kerosene. What are you doing to it?

This is almost always due to painting, wood finishing or new carpeting. It is the very small amount of chlorine dioxide in the water combining with the organic vapors from the new paint, varnish or carpet.

My water is (or was) rusty, is it safe to drink?

If it has cleared up, it is safe to drink. Even when rust colored, there is still residual chlorine, and the water is microbiologically safe, although not aesthetically acceptable. The concentration of iron necessary to impart color is small, and not a health concern.

How do I get my water turned off (and then back on) at the curb?

Make a request by calling the Water Billing Office at (607)772-7024. There is a $50.00 fee for this service.

Is City water safe to drink? What do you test it for?

City water is tested throughout the day. It is safe to drink. See the reports and transparency section above for annual water quality reports.

Can I fill my swimming pool from a fire hydrant?

No.

My water pressure is low - why?

Often, it is because the City portion, or the private portion, or both portions of the service pipe is old galvanized steel that is badly corroded. Sometimes, it is because the house plumbing is inadequately sized, or also corroded galvanized steel. Otherwise, there are a number of possible reasons that we investigate.

Why do I have to pay a minimum bill when my water is shut off?

You pay a minimum bill for having a meter on the premises. If you have us remove the meter, you will not have to pay a bill.

Can I pay my bill with a credit card or online?

Water/Sewer bills can be paid with a credit card or electronic on-line at the Online Payments page. There is also payment kiosk installed on the 2nd floor of City Hall where you can use a credit card to pay water/sewer bills.

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Why is my Water/Sewer bill so high (compared to normal), and can you reduce it?

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Why is my Water/Sewer bill so high (compared to normal), and can you reduce it?

Jeffrey Kruger

Water Billing Information

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