Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current sewer user charge rate?
What is the basis for this charge? 
What does the sewer user charge cover?
Is anyone exempt from this charge?
How often does the WPCA sewer user charge bill come out and when?
Why does the WPCA use the same reading period twice?
Where do I pay my sewer user charge?
Will there be an increase in my user charge rates?
Who do I call with questions about my bill?
What should I do if I feel the water usage shown on my sewer user charge bill is wrong?
How do I appeal my sewer user charge bill?
What is the difference between the “billing period” and the “read period”?
Why am I paying for a previous owner’s usage?
Is Stamford the only city required to have a sewer user charge system?
What if I have a well?
Can I deduct the sewer user charge from my income tax?
What is the procedure for doing a property closing?
Can I disconnect from the city sewer?
My online payment did not go through --- why?
How do I get a WPCA lien on my property removed?

How can I save water and reduce my sewer user charge? 

 

What is the current sewer user charge rate?
The user charge rate is reviewed and voted upon annually at the August or September WPCA Board Meeting.  The rate set at the August 2010 meeting is $3.56; this applies to the October 2010 and the April 2011 billing periods.

Stamford User Charge History:

        2010-11  $3.56

        2009-10  $3.46

        2008-09  $3.38   

        2007-08  $3.03

        2006-07  $2.96

        2005-06  $2.30

        2004-05  $2.20

        2003-04  $2.06

         

What is the basis for this charge?
The sewer user charge is based on your water usage for a six month period (two water bill quarters) between September and April. The water company provides the Water Pollution Control Authority with actual water usage for all properties in Stamford. The charge is based on winter usage to avoid charging for heavier summer uses such as watering your lawn and garden, washing your car, or filling your pool, which do not impact the treatment system.

 

What does the sewer user charge cover?

The sewer user charge pays for the cost of operating and maintaining the wastewater treatment facility, collection system, hurricane barriers, and overall stormwater management. It also includes all department and other costs.

 

Will there be an increase in my user charge rates?
There may be an increase in the user charge rate for the next year . The Board of Directors of the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority will vote in August on this rate. Please check this site for an update in September.

 

Is anyone exempt from this charge?

All users of the sanitary sewer system, including all residential, commercial, government and nonprofit organizations are charged at the same rate.   Under the user charge system everyone who discharges wastewater to the sanitary sewer system pays their share of treating that wastewater regardless of their tax status.

 

How often does the WPCA sewer user charge bill come out and when?  

The WPCA bills twice per year, in April and in October.

 

Why does the WPCA use the same reading period twice?

Bills are calculated based upon a six month winter period.  The sewer user charge is for use over twelve months, therefore, the six month winter period is billed twice.

 

Where do I pay my sewer user charge?

A special post office box is set-up to receive sewer user charge payments:

 

Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority

P.O. Box 1200

Hartford, CT  06143-1200

 

Please write your account number on the check/money order.

 

All sewer user charges shall be due and payable in full within 30 days of the date of the mailing of the bill to the customer.  Any sewer user charge not paid in full within the aforementioned time period shall be deemed delinquent and shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner prescribed by the Connecticut General Statutes for property taxes.

If you believe you have already paid, please contact CompUtil at 888-263-5047.

 

Who do I call with questions about my bill?  

Call our WPCA Info Line at (203) 977-4819 if:

  • Your name, address, or other information is incorrect
  • You receive a sewer user charge bill for property you no longer own (Please give the new owner’s name if you know it.)
  • You received a sewer user charge bill but you have a septic system and no ability to connect to the sanitary sewer

If you have any other questions, contact Customer Service at (203) 977-5832 or email rbull@ci.stamford.ct.us .

 

What should I do if I feel the water usage shown on my sewer user charge bill is wrong?

If you feel your water usage is wrong, contact the Aquarion Water Company at (800) 732-9678.  For other questions about your bill, call the WPCA Info Line at (203) 977-4819 or WPCA Customer Service at (203) 977-5832.

  

How do I appeal my sewer user charge bill?

You must file an appeal form by May 20 for an appeal of the April bill or by November 20 for an appeal of the October bill.  Appeals will be heard in June and December.  The WPCA will contact the homeowner with a scheduled appointment date and time.

 

What is the difference between the “billing period” and the “read period”?

The billing period refers to the interval of time you are being billed for.  The read period is the interval of time that provides the water consumption used in the bill calculation.

 

Why am I paying for a previous owner’s usage?

The bill follows the property, not the homeowner.  The bills are created based upon the winter quarter usage for the dwelling, not the homeowner.

 

Is Stamford the only city required to have a sewer user charge system?  

No, almost every town/city in Connecticut has a user charge system, and is the most common charging system nationally.

  

What if I have a well?

The sewer user charge for well customers is based on the average Stamford residential water usage.  Well customers can install a water meter at their own expense if they wish to be billed for their actual usage.

 

Can I deduct the sewer user charge from my income tax?

No. Since the sewer user charge is a utility bill and not a tax, it is not deductible.

 

What is the procedure for doing a property closing?

Homeowners: your attorney should obtain a pro-rated balance.

Attorneys: contact the WPCA at (203) 977-5832 to obtain a pro-rated amount to be paid at the closing.

 

Can I disconnect from the city sewer?  

No.       

 

My online payment did not go through --- why? 

Please check to make sure that the correct account number is being used.  If the old account number is still being used in the online payment system, the possibility of a misapplied payment or lost payment exists.

                                   

How do I get a WPCA lien on my property removed?  

If there is a balance due on the account, all you need to do is pay the balance in full.

Once the account is paid in full, CompUtil (contact number 888-263-5047) sends notification to WPCA Customer Relations.  Customer Relations files the appropriate paperwork with the Town Clerk’s Office to release the lien.  If the account is already paid in full, contact Customer Relations at (203) 977-5832.

 

How can I save water and reduce my sewer user charge?

  • Repair dripping faucets
  • Repair leaking toilets – leaks can be detected by using dye tablets
  • Do not let the water run while brushing your teeth or washing dishes
  • Take showers instead of baths
  • Wash only full loads of laundry or dishes

 

 

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