METER READING PERIOD DURATION

This is the period of time from your last meter read to your current meter read.

• FOR BALTIMORE CITY CUSTOMERS: If your bill is for a different period of time other than approximately 30 days, this may lead to a higher or lower bill.
• FOR BALTIMORE COUNTY CUSTOMERS: If your bill is for a different period of time other than approximately 90 days, this may lead to a higher or lower bill.

METER READ TYPE

Occasionally there may be situations that prevent the Department of Public Works from obtaining an actual meter reading.  For example, meters are removed from the property during a water main relining project or something interfered with the transmitter and a meter reader could not access the meter. 

When this occurs, an estimated read can be used to bill the account.  The estimate will be based on the daily average usage. However, once an actual read is collected, any necessary adjustments and credits will be applied to the account.

To determine if the meter reading was an “Actual” read or an “Estimated” read, please look at “Read Type” under “Meter Reading Details” on your water bill.

INCREASED WATER USAGE

Your water bill is calculated in CCF units which represents 100 cubic feet of water.  1 CCF is approximately 748 gallons.  The average amount of water used by an individual is approximately 2 CCF per month (Baltimore City monthly billing) or 6 CCF per quarter (Baltimore County quarterly billing).  This amount may vary for your particular household.  Example:  For a 2-person household, the expected average would be 4 CCF per month (2 CCF x 2) or 12 CCF per quarter (6 CCF x 2).

• Common causes for increased consumption can include having additional persons or guests in the home  (this will result in increased showers and toilet flushing, etc.) and warmer weather activities (e.g., washing cars, watering lawns and plants, etc.).
• Logging into the Customer Self-Service portal and viewing the dates and times when consumption occurred or contacting Customer Support & Services for that information often helps property owners remember the activities that contributed to the increased consumption.
• To have an idea of how much water is likely used by your household in a day, the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Consumption Calculator is a good resource.

POSSIBLE WATER LEAKS

Homeowners are only billed for the water that passes through their meter.  Other activities that may have taken place in the surrounding area such as maintenance of City main water lines or construction/repairs of water or sewer mains do not cause your water usage to increase.

A leak that is the responsibility of the property owner to correct can result in high bills.  Identifying and correcting sources of high water usage is an excellent way to reduce a water bill. 

Leak Inspection & Identification

It is recommended that property owners frequently inspect and perform routine maintenance on the most water-consuming appliances (e.g., indoor and outdoor faucets, toilets, hot water heaters, washing machines, etc.).

Appliance Leaks

Check for dripping faucets, running/leaking toilets, and leaking water connections.  Even small leaks and drips can add up over time.  1 faucet that is dripping one drop per minute can add up to almost 3 gallons in a month.  Running/leaking toilets have the potential for a significant amount of water loss.

Underground Leaks

Underground leaks between the water meter and property structure can go undetected, can be difficult to identify, and can drastically increase consumption.   A turn-off test can assist in identifying underground leaks.

For accounts that have hourly usage consumption data available:

1. Turn off the water coming into the house approximately 10 minutes before the top of an hour (e.g. 8:50 a.m., 9:50 a.m., etc.). Water shut-off valves are typically located in a basement and on the wall that is in line with the water meter.
2. Leave the water shut off at least 1 hour past the top of the hour (e.g., 9:00a.m., 10:00 a.m., etc.).
3. Upon the conclusion of the water shut-off period, determine if water was registered during this time period: Log into the Customer Self- Service portal the NEXT DAY and view the water consumption during the time period that the water was shut off.

• Log into the Customer Self- Service portal the NEXT DAY and view the water consumption during the time period that the water was shut off. 

OR

• Contact Customer Support & Services the NEXT DAY and have a customer service representative view the water consumption during that time period.

For accounts that DO NOT have hourly usage consumption data available:

1. Contact Customer Support & Services to schedule a turn-off test. Property owners will need to meet a meter operations representative at the property. 
2. For the test, property owners will need to Turn off the main water valve coming into the house so that the meter operations representative can observe water registering (or not) on the meter.

Results:

• If consumption DOES register on the meter during that shut-off period, that is an indication that there is an underground leak in the water line somewhere between the meter vault and the property structure.
• If consumption DOES NOT register on the meter during that shut-off period, that is an indication that there is NOT an underground leak.

If you have reviewed your bill, and the information above, and still have questions on the amount due or the usage being charged, please do not hesitate to contact Customer Support & Services at 410-396-5398 or by clicking here to email the DPW's Billing department.  Property owners can also visit the walk-in center at the:

Abel Wolman Municipal Building
200 Holliday Street, First Floor Room 8
Baltimore, MD 21202.