Generally this happens because your newest bill was produced before payment of your previous bill was received. To avoid this, make your payment as soon as you receive your bill, but no later than 24 days from the Bill Date. You can verify receipt of your payment and get your up-to-date balance, by selecting the Pay My Bill link on the PWD Home page. First time users will need their PWD bill to register. If you are already registered, just log in with your username and password.
Yes. Late payment charges are assessed for overdue water bills that are not paid within 25 days from the postmarked date, or 25 days from the e-bill notification date. The interest rate charged will be the interest rate established for delinquent taxes by the State Treasurer. The current late fee can be located at this website https://www.maine.gov/treasurer/revenue-sharing/delinquent-tax-rates.
Water meters can be installed in various locations. Typical locations include the basement, hall closet, or in a meter pit in your yard. They should be installed in a warm, dry place, protected from drafts and the cold. If you can not locate your meter, please contact us, and we will assist you.
Automatic meters are used and allow meters to be read without stepping foot on private property. The new meters have reduced estimated reads and increased efficiencies..
If you do a lot of outside watering, you could lower your wastewater bill by purchasing a submeter.
A submeter measures water from your outside faucet that doesn’t enter the wastewater system. The amount of water measured by the submeter is not billed municipal wastewater charges.
The submeter program is managed by the Portland Water District on behalf of the municipality (Portland, Windham, Westbrook, Gorham, Cumberland, Cumberland, Cape Elizabeth, South Portland). Some municipalities require application fees and plumbing inspections.
Cold Weather Tips
Protect your pipes and meter from freezing
Don’t be caught off guard by Maine’s harsh winters with bone-chilling temperatures and biting wind chills. Avoid the hassle of frozen meters and pipes by taking a few simple precautions now!
Disinfection of drinking water is one of the major public health advances in the twentieth century. In the early 1900s, typhoid and cholera were common throughout American cities; disinfection was a large factor in reducing these epidemics. Chlorine was the preferred disinfectant back then and continues to be the most widely used substance for water disinfection in the United States.
The fluoridation of drinking water is endorsed by the American Dental Association, the American Medical Association, and the US Public Health Service. The CDC proclaimed fluoridation to be one of the top ten greatest public health achievements of the past century. Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop stated, "Fluoridation is the single most important commitment that a community can make to the oral health of its citizens."
Systemic fluoride. This is the fluoride in drinking water, fluoride vitamins or supplements. This fluoride is swallowed. Systemic fluoride in saliva strengthens the tooth structure and helps prevent decay. It reaches teeth still forming, even before you can see them in the mouth.
