The Water and Sewer Maintenance operations are responsible for distributing safe drinking water purchased from Southeast Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA) and providing a means to collect sanitary sewage disposal for transportation to the Great Lakes Water Authority wastewater treatment plant.
Billing FAQ
1. How can I pay my water/sewer bill?
Payments can be made by cash, check or credit card (additional fee applied) at the Treasurer's Office. For other credit card or direct deposit options, visit the Payment Options page of this website.
2. How often do we get a bill?
Single-family residential customers are billed for water and sewer services on a quarterly basis or every three months. Most commercial and multi-family customers are billed on a monthly basis.
3. Can I receive my bill electronically?
You can now have your water bill delivered straight to your inbox every quarter with paperless billing.
Contact the Treasurer’s Office to sign up. Call 248-433-7705 for more information, or email your account number, name, address, phone number and email address to Treasurer.
4. If I have a question about my bill, whom should I call?
The Treasurer's Office can answer questions concerning water bills during normal office hours, 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Monday - Thursday, at 248-433-7705.
5. Why is my bill so high?
Water consumption varies from season to season, with the tendency for the highest period from April to October when outside usage increases. If your bill is higher than last year and you have not made any plumbing changes at your house, we suggest that you read your meter to confirm the billed amount. Secondly, we suggest that you check each of your plumbing fixtures for leaks.
Leaking Faucets Add Up: A dripping faucet may not seem like a cause for alarm, but those drips add up over time. Thousands of gallons of water are wasted because of a single leaking faucet. The more drips there are, the more dollars and wasted water going down the drain. Tiny drips that seem insignificant will have a significant impact on your yearly water bill expenses.
6. Do rates change?
Water and sewer rates are reviewed annually and are adjusted as necessary to accommodate those costs that SOCWA and Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office charge each year.
7. Our tenants didn't pay their water bill. Can you help us out?
Water and Sewer services provided to the house are the responsibility of the homeowners whether they occupy or rent to someone else. Any water and sewer bills that are over 30 days delinquent as of September 1 of each year are placed on the winter tax bill for collection. We suggest that owners check the status of these accounts prior to the delinquent date.
8. Is this water and sewer bill estimated?
Next to the consumption amount on the bill, it should show an “A" which indicates an actual read was obtained. However if your bill was estimated, then you would see the letter “E” next to the consumption reading. Bills are only estimated when the department is unable to gain access to read the meter or we determine that the meter may not be working. Estimated bills are based upon the average consumption from the past three years of meter readings from the same time period or a flat rate.
9. Are there late fees?
A 10% late fee will be assessed on all bills not paid within 20 days of the due date as per Ordinance #87, 13.01.
Meter FAQ
1. We are moving. Do you take final meter readings?
Yes, we will provide a final bill. If you are moving, please complete the Final Water Bill Request Form and submit to the Treasurer's Office by fax, mail or send an email to the Water Division. Save the form prior to emailing it.
Final Water Bill Request Form
2. Can we have a separate meter for sprinkling?
At the option and expense of a property owner, an additional water meter, referred to as a secondary water meter, may be installed. The secondary water meter allows for the metering of water that is directed exclusively to a sprinkler system, outside spigot or connection such as, but not limited to, a swimming pool. This water usage will not be applied into the calculation of the sewage disposal bill for the property.
Bloomfield Twp, MI - Secondary Water Meters
3. What is a sewer only meter?
At the option and expense of a property owner, sewer only customers have the option to install a meter for purpose of measuring water from their private well water supply and being charged a sewer rate based upon actual water usage instead of a flat rate charge. See more information on sewer only meters.