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Frequently Asked Questions
Where does our drinking water come from?
What are the consumer benefits to the AMR Program?
How much does drinking water cost?
How can I tour the Water Purification Plant?
How Do I open an account, ask questions about my account and bill, start or teminate water service, or report a change of address?
I've received a "High Read" notice in the mail. What should I do?
How do I request emergency services?
Where does our drinking water come from?
The Hobbs Brook Reservoir in Lincoln is where the majority of the surface water that makes up the Cambridge System is stored. The Water then moves through a 64" Conduit through the communities of Lincoln, Weston, Waltham, and Watertown before entering the terminal Reservoir of Fresh Pond through the Huron Ave Gatehouse. The water is stored in Fresh Pond until demand is such that it is drawn into the Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Plant where it is treated and then pumped to the Payson Park Reservoir in Belmont where necessary contact time is accomplished in the storage reservoir known as Payson Park. the treated water waits until the call for water in the system is made and then the water flows through the transmission main through Belmont and Cambridge until it reaches the Gatehouse at the Cambridge Common. It is at this point that the treated water ends it journey in the Transmission section of the System and enters the 200 mile Distribution System which delivers pure drinkable water to all of our 15,206* customers. The current cost of water is shown here.
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What are the consumer benefits to the AMR Program?
- Eliminate estimated billing thus providing accurate usage reports and ensuring accurate bills.
- Provide efficiencies in the billing and meter reading function at the CWD which will allow for improved customer service initiatives.
- Alert the Water Department to unusual water usage at your home/property/business. Daily readings will allow CWD to analyze usage and permit the Department to investigate the circumstances that are responsible for the change in usage. ie leaks..etc.
- Minimizes the need for anyone to regularly access your property to read your water meter. * CWD will still need to access your water meter to repair or replace. .
- Allow the CWD to implement a cyclical water meter replacement program thus ensuring properly operating water meters well into the future.
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How much does drinking water cost?
2010 rates
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How can I tour the Water Purification Plant?
Visit www.cambridgema.gov/cwd go to the Tour Page and print a Tour Request Form. Fill out the form and fax to 617 349-4796. Any questions? Call Ralph Dunphy at 617 349-4777. The Friends of Fresh Pond sponsor tours also and information can be found at their homepage at www.fpr.org or the Water Department's Tour Page.
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How Do I open an account, ask questions about my account and bill, start or teminate water service, or report a change of address?
Call the Cambridge Water Department Billing Office at 617 349-4771. The Water Department is located at 250 Fresh Pond Parkway. The hours of operation for the Administration Division are 8:30am to 8:00pm Monday, 8:30am-5:00pm Tues-Thurs. and 8:30am-12:00pm Friday's.
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I've received a "High Read" notice in the mail. What should I do?
Call Brian McCoy at 617 349-4737 or email Brian at bmccoy@cambridgema.gov
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How do I request emergency services?
For all areas of responsibility of the Water Department call 617 349-4770 (24hrs). This includes calls requesting emergency water turn-off, reporting a water meter leak, a water main leak, or a fire hydrant leak. You may also call this number for emergency problems with water quality and low water pressure
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