Staff Members:

• Anthony J. Furnari, Director of Public Services
• Andrew Lafferty, Deputy Director of Public Services
• Dan Lynch, Water Distribution Supervisor
• Paul Colby, Water Superintendent
• Tom Smolski, Assistant Water Superintendent
• Kathe Talkington, Administrative Assistant
• Dawn Gettman, Senior Clerk

Board of Water Commissioners:

George Lawler, Chairman
E. Larry Kelley, Vice Chairman
Erford Fowler
Philip Sayles
John Tomasz

The Board of Water Commissioners meets at least once a month. Please call the Water Division Business Office at (978) 465-4420 for the day, time, and place of the next scheduled meeting. The meetings are open to the public.

If you wish a copy of the agenda or minutes, please call Kathe Talkington at (978) 465-4420.

General Information

Newburyport Water Works was established in 1908 under a Special Act of the State Legislature to provide water service to homes and businesses in Newburyport, the Old Town portion of Newbury, Plum Island, and the Town of West Newbury.

The Water Division is part of the Department of Public Services and consists of three divisions: Water Operations, Construction, and Administrative.

The Water Operations staff is located at the Water Treatment Plant on Spring Lane. They manage the three reservoirs and two wells and operate the two pumping stations, treatment plant and two storage tanks. This division is responsible for maintaining the quality of our drinking water. The Water Treatment Plant is staffed 24 hours per day.

The Construction staff is located at the Department of Public Services, 16A Perry Way. This division is responsible for maintaining over 80 miles of water main throughout the City, the Old Town portion of Newbury and Plum Island. They maintain fire hydrants, valves, fix breaks, replace old water mains, install and inspect new water services, replace meters and respond to emergencies 24 hours a day.

The Administrative staff is located in City Hall. This division is responsible for all billing issues, as well as, responding to customer phones calls and scheduling of meter readings, installations and repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you fish in the reservoirs?

Yes, from the shore only.

Can you use boats in the reservoirs?

Boats are not allowed in the reservoirs.

Whom should you call if you notice a drop in water pressure or the water is rusty?

Call the business office at (978) 465-4420 to determine if the problem is unique to your home or the result of work being done in your neighborhood on the water system. Outside of regular business hours, please contact the Water Treatment Plant at (978) 465-4466. This line is manned 24-hours per day.

Whom do I call if there is a water leak in my basement?

During regular business hours, call the business office and we will contact a staff member to shut the water off to your home. Any repairs to your water service within your home are the responsibility of the homeowner.

Outside of regular business hours, please contact the Water Treatment Plant at (978) 465-4466. This line is manned 24-hours per day.

How can I arrange for my water meter to be read remotely?

If you water meter was not updated during the City-wide Meter Replacement Project, call the Business Office and request the installation of an ORION reader. It remains the homeowner responsibility to read and report the inside meter reading on a yearly basis.

Whom do I call if I think my water bill is incorrect?

Call the Business Office and we will review the charges with you.

Billing Issues:

• Residential customers are billed twice a year and business/commercial customers are billed quarterly.
• Your water bill is based on actual water consumption.

If your bill appears unusually high:

• read your water meter to determine current reading
• check your home for leaking faucets or toilets
• call the Water Works Business Office (978) 465-4420 to review the charges with you.

Overdue bills will be charged a $15.00 demand fee and once a demand fee has been assessed, requests for payment plans will not be honored.

Payment Plans

To request a payment plan, call or visit the Water Division Business Office and ask for a payment plan form. All payment plan forms must be completed and the first payment received by the Water Division Business office before the bill due date

When Selling Your House:

When selling your house, your Realtor should call Dawn Gettman at (978) 465-4420 to request a final water and sewer bill. The meter reading should be scheduled for two business days before the scheduled closing date. If you do not have a Realtor, the home owner should call to schedule the final meter reading and please have the following information available:

• date of closing
• name of new owner
• name, telephone and fax number of attorney handling the closing

The final water/sewer bill will be faxed to the closing attorney.