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Water Department - Frequently Asked Questions

Phone Numbers:
Water Superintendent Phone: 508-588-0414 Ext. 24
Customer Service Phone: 508-588-0414 Ext 32
Fax: 508-559-0209
Phone After Hours: 508-583-6677

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is my water discolored, and what can be done about it?
Discolored water is the result of the groundwater containing excessive amounts of the mineral manganese. Manganese is naturally present in all groundwater throughout New England. Up until recently, we tried controlling the build up of manganese in the water mains by performing hydrant flushing in the spring and in the fall. This has become less and less effective as water demand has increased. In 2006, Town Meeting approved funding to construct a water filtration plant which will eliminate iron and manganese from entering the water distribution system. The filtration plant is scheduled to become operational in 2008.

What should I do when my water is discolored?
Generally, discolored water is a short term event, but occasionally a longer term disruption can be caused by a large sudden usage of water such as a fire fighting, water main break, hydrant flushing, construction activities or unauthorized usage. Steps that homeowners should take are as follows:

1. If possible, wait for the water to settle down, especially if there has been a large scale disruption.
2. Run your water from an outside hose spigot. When this is not possible during the winter months, run water from the closest faucet from where the water service enters your home. Try not to run water in your kitchen or in upstairs bathrooms. This will help prevent the plugging up of faucet aerators and toilet valves.
3. If you have white laundry that gets discolored, the Water Department has a chemical we give to residents free of charge that will remove the stains from your laundry.
4. If you have repeated occurrences of discolored water, you should look into purchasing an inexpensive water filter for the short term until the water filtration plant is completed.

I am moving, how do I obtain a final meter reading for my closing?
Call customer service a minimum of 48 hours prior to your closing. We will schedule a final reading, calculate your water bill, and fax over a copy of your final bill to your attorney or real estate agent. Please be advised that on final readings, we read the water meter from the inside of the house, so somebody will have to be present when we read the meter.

What is the cost for a final meter reading?
The fee is $30.00 and is made payable to the “Town of Avon”. The payment must be submitted before the final reading is processed.

How often is the water billed?
Semi-annually. Water bills are mailed in April and October each year.

What are the water rates?
Water rates are based upon an increasing block rate. They are as follows:

What are the water connection fees?
Connection fees are based upon the size of the connection.