Water and Sewer Adjustment Request

If you used more water than usual because of a leak or a problem with something like a toilet or appliance, the Baltimore Department of Public Works (DPW) might be able to lower your water or sewer bill for that time.

If there was a leak underground, you might get a discount on the sewer part of your bill — but the leak must be fixed by a licensed plumber, and you’ll need to show proof that it was repaired.

If you meet these rules and want to ask for a lower bill, you can fill out the form online or print it and mail it to:

DPW Customer Support and Services Division
200 Holliday Street, First Floor, Room 8
Baltimore, MD 21202

If your request is approved, you’ll see the change on your bill about 4 weeks after DPW gets your form.

Conditions:

  • The property owner or an authorized person designated by the property owner must request the adjustment within sixty (60) days of the bill being issued.
  • Water loss due to theft or vandalism is not covered and is the customer’s responsibility.
  • Customers may only be granted an underground leak adjustment at a property once every two years.
  • Customers may only be granted an interior/situational usage adjustment at a property once every three years.
  • The date, type of repair, and proof of repair must be included for underground leaks. 

How the Bill Adjustment Is Calculated

Interior/Situational Usage Adjustment:

If you had a leak inside your home or a special situation that caused higher water use, we may lower your water bill — but only the part that covers water use. Other parts of the bill will stay the same. We look at how much water you usually use each day (based on your last bill before the leak) and multiply that by the number of days in the billing period with the leak. Then we subtract half - or 50 percent - of the extra water from the amount owed.

Example:
Daily Average Consumption:  .16 CCF/Day
Days in a billing period = 30 days
Average monthly bill = 5 CCF
Billed Units during affected billing period = 50 CCF
Difference between average and affected bill = 45 CCF
Adjustment = -22.5 CCF, Senior/Hardship Customer = -45 CCF
 
Underground Leak Adjustment:

This type of bill change is only for the water and sewer parts of your bill. We figure it out by looking at how much water you used each day before the leak. Then we multiply that by how many days are in the bill with the leak. Any extra water you used because of the leak is taken off your bill. Your sewer charges will also be updated to match the new amount.

To get a bill  for an underground leak, you must show proof from a licensed plumber that the leak was fixed.