Public Water Authority
Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC)
Serving Boston
Population served
675,647 people (EPA SDWIS active CWS PWS MA3035000)
State system code
FIPS 25
Billing frequency
Account billing periods and consumption days are shown on each BWSC bill; the reviewed public schedule does not establish one universal residential monthly or quarterly cycle for every account.
Provider briefing
How this utility’s billing works
Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) operates as a public water authority serving Boston. Customers should use the provider’s current account-specific bill and official customer-service instructions as the final authority for deadlines, balances, and service requests.
The published water-rate framework is described as Consumption-based water, sewer, and stormwater charges under BWSC's published rate schedule, with usage levels and service categories determining the charge.. Bills are generated account billing periods and consumption days are shown on each bwsc bill; the reviewed public schedule does not establish one universal residential monthly or quarterly cycle for every account., and a typical residential cost reference is A dedicated this detail was not publicly posted. An exact 5,000-7,000-gallon estimate requires the bill's consumption days, water/sewer/stormwater components, and applicable residential rate schedule.. These descriptions are useful planning benchmarks; actual charges can change with meter size, usage, sewer averaging, local taxes, drought stages, or account-specific fees.
Wastewater and sewer calculation
BWSC bills water, sewer, and stormwater components together using current consumption and the billing-period days. The reviewed materials do not state a universal winter-average formula for every residential account.
Meter and infrastructure notes
BWSC provides account usage history through the CSS portal; the reviewed materials do not identify one universal AMI/AMR vendor or transmission interval. Metering questions can be directed to 617-989-7132.
Emergency water support
Report a leak or water emergency
617-989-7900; BWSC Operations is listed as open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergencies.
Official starting point
Choose the right next step
Reading this profile
A practical reference for Boston
Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) is listed here as a public water authority. The profile separates account actions—such as paying a bill or requesting service—from explanatory material about rates, meters, wastewater, leaks, and delinquency.
Because utility rules can vary by account class, meter size, service address, billing date, and local ordinance, treat the published bill and current provider website as the final authority. Use this profile to locate the correct channel and prepare better questions for customer service.
If your issue is urgent, start with the provider’s emergency number or official payment route rather than waiting for an email response. Keep a written record of calls, confirmation numbers, notice dates, and documents you submit.