Water & Sewer

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The Department of Water&Sewer includes 4 different Departments working together to protect public health and safety. The Sewer Department keeps the lines flowing and tries to keep pace with the rain. The Water Distribution Department keeps clean safe water at each faucet in your home. The Water Filtration Plant keeps the water we deliver safe and clean every time we take a drink. The resources we get from the Water Meter Departments’ work makes all of this possible.

The City of Binghamton’s Water&Sewer Department currently has 59 employees.

Permit Forms

Broome-Tioga Stormwater Commission Annual Report

Drinking Water Quality Annual Report

Sewage Discharge Report

Water Rates

The current water rates are as follows:

Inside City Users

Water Usage	Current Water Rates Effective Beginning with April 2022 Billings
Water: 1^st thousand cubic feet	35.00
Every 100 cubic after	3.30

Outside City Individual Users (150%)

Water Usage	Current Water Rates Effective Beginning with April 2022 Billings
Water: 1^st thousand cubic feet	52.50
Every 100 cubic after	4.95

Outside City Municipal Users (130%)

Water Usage	Current Water Rates Effective Beginning with April 2022 Billings
Water: 1^st thousand cubic feet	45.50
Every 100 cubic after	4.30

Town of Vestal

Water Usage	Current Water Rates Effective Beginning with April 2022 Billings
Water: 1^st thousand cubic feet	35.00
Every 100 cubic after	3.30

Capital Improvement Fee

Size of Meter	Current Water Rates Effective Beginning with April 2022 Billings
⅝inch Meter	17.00
⅝inch×¾inch Meter	17.00
¾inch Meter	20.40
1 inch Meter	27.20
1½inch Meter	40.80
2 inch Meter	54.40
3 inch Meter	81.60
4 inch Meter	108.80
6 inch Meter	163.20
8 inch Meter	217.60

Current rates established by the Board of Estimate & Apportionment on 11/26/2014

Comments, on rate increase, by City residents will be received via the following methods:

Email to jakruger@cityofbinghamton.com
Regular mail to Water&Sewer Superintendent, City of Binghamton Water Department, 25 Broome Street, Binghamton NY 13903
Phone at (607) 772-7210 between 9am and 2pm September 22, 2020—September 29, 2020.

All comments must be received by September 29, 2020.

Sewer Rates

The current sewer rates are as follows:

Inside City Users

Sewer Usage	Current Sewer Rates Effective Beginning with April 2022 Billings
Sewer: 1^st five hundred cubic feet	17.00
Every 100 cubic after	7.40

Capital Improvement Fee

Size of Meter	Current Sewer Rates Effective Beginning with April 2022 Billings
⅝inch Meter	20.00
⅝inch×¾inch Meter	20.00
¾inch Meter	24.00
1 inch Meter	32.00
1½inch Meter	48.00
2 inch Meter	64.00
3 inch Meter	96.00
4 inch Meter	128.00
6 inch Meter	192.00
8 inch Meter	256.00

Solar Panel Installation at the Water Treatment Plant

solar panels The installation of a 49.68 KW solar photovoltaic system at the City's Water Treatment Plant was completed on March 15, 2011. The first onsite renewable energy generation system for a City building, this project was enabled by a $320,922 federal recovery grant that NYSERDA administered, as well as a $56,635 (15%) match by the City. The system is expected to save Binghamton taxpayers up to $560,000 over the life of the system and eliminate more than 23 tons of carbon dioxide production annually by reducing the plant’s use on fossil fuels

Using electricity from onsite generation systems like photovoltaic panels not only reduces our environmental impact, but also creates jobs and strengthens our economy. The renewable energy industry creates more jobs per megawatt of power installed, per unit of energy produced and per dollar investment, than the fossil fuel based sector. According to the EPA, the solar PV industry creates 22.4 jobs per megawatt, while natural gas in comparison creates 1.1. This project used US-manufactured photovoltaic panels and is helping to build a more sustainable, vibrant economy for our community and the country.

EPA Report

The energy produced by the solar panels will be tracked on the manufacturer's public website, which will also track the cost and carbon dioxide savings. The City will continue to install additional onsite renewable energy systems as funding is available.

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Staff

Kruger, Jeffrey
Water/Sewer Superintendent
- (607) 772-7210
- Email
Water Billing Information
- (607) 772-7024
- Email
After Hours & Emergencies
- (607) 772-7020

More Staff

FAQs

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 § 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 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 at (607) 772-7027 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 § 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 and 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.
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.
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, you cannot fill your swimming pool from a fire hydrant.
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 2^nd floor of City Hall where you can use a credit card to pay Water&Sewer bills.

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