Water/Sewer Rates
Water and sewer bills are sent out four times a year, based on quarterly readings. All revenue collected through water and sewer bills remains in the water and sewer funds, respectively, which supports all water and sewer related activities. No property tax money is spent to support the Water Department or used to pay for water treatment in the City. The water and sewer bills have two sections: fixed and volume.
- Fixed fee is based on the size of the water meter servicing the property. This covers the debt service for each fund (water and sewer.) Debt is incurred when large construction projects are performed on the water and sewer systems throughout the City.
- Volume fee is determined by the amount of water used, based on the water meter readings. The more water used, the higher both (water and sewer) bills will be. This is called the volumetric charge, and is based on the annual operating expenses of the Water and Sewer divisions. Bills use units of hundred cubic feet (HCF), about 750 gallons per unit.
Seasonal/Irrigation Meters:
Property owners may be interested in a seasonal (or water only) meter if they notice their bill spikes dramatically during the summer months due to watering, irrigation system(s) or pool filling (any water that doesn’t go into the sewer system.)
Interested customers will need to contact a plumber to have line work completed before a meter can be installed. Once this work is completed customer should call to make an appointment at 603-352-3239 or email PWInfo@keenenh.gov
- Cost for service call is $75 and current cost for a meter is $358.08
After initial charges for the installation and meter, customer will be billed for this water only line usage once per year for water consumption only.
The City of Keene has partnered with BSI Online to assist in administering our backflow testing program. Please submit test reports at http://www.bsionline.com/
Water and Sewer Rates
Volume Rate ($ per HCF)
| Water | Sewer |
|---|---|
| $5.62 | $6.60 |
Fixed Quarterly Charge (meter size in inches)
| Size | Water | Sewer |
|---|---|---|
| 5/8 inches | $25.55 | $53.48 |
| 3/4 inches | $38.33 | $80.21 |
| 1 inch | $63.87 | $133.69 |
| 1½ inches | $127.73 | $267.36 |
| 2 inches | $204.37 | $427.78 |
| 3 inches | $383.21 | $802.08 |
| 4 inches | $638.67 | $1,336.81 |
| 6 inches | $1,277.35 | $2,673.63 |
Fireline Charges
| Quarterly | Yearly | |
| 1½ inch fireline | $10.30 | $30.89 |
| 2 inch fireline | $21.95 | $65.84 |
| 4 inch fireline | $135.85 | $407.55 |
| 6 inch fireline | $394.61 | $1,183.83 |
| 8 inch fireline | $840.93 | $2,522.79 |
| 10 inch fireline | $1,512.28 | $4,536.85 |
Other Charges
Hydrant Charges (per year): $1,183.83
Shut-off/Service Fee: $150.00 ($75 per visit)*
NSF Check Fee: $25.00
*May be subject to additional fees if after hours
Understanding Your Bill
Water portion of your bill
Each quarter customers are charged a base rate determined by the size of water meter servicing the property, and a volumetric charge for the gallons of water used – $5.62 for every hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water (about 750 gallons). The more water used, the higher your bill will be. Leaks can use a surprising amount of water – so for lowest bills, check for any leaking toilets and sinks.
For most single family homes, the water fixed rate is $25.55 (fixed rate for 5/8″ meter). The average household in Keene uses approximately 25 hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water each quarter, or about 18,700 gallons. The price for that amount of water is $140.50. So, the average quarterly water bill for a single family house is approximately $166.05 — or about $1.85 per day.
Sewer portion of your bill
There is no separate sewer meter, the volume of water discharged to the sewer is based on the water meter reading. Each quarter customers are charged a fixed rate, determined by the size of the water meter servicing the property, and a volumetric charge for the amount of water used – $6.60 for every hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water (about 750 gallons).
For most single family homes, the sewer fixed rate is $53.48 (fixed rate for 5/8″ meter). The average household in Keene discharges approximately 25 hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water each quarter, or about 18,700 gallons. The charge for that volume is $165.00. So, the average sewer bill (fixed and volumetric) for a single family house is approximately $218.48 — or about $2.43 per day. The more water used, the higher the sewer portion of the bill will be.
The total bill for a single family home with a 5/8″ meter using 25 units would be $384.53 per quarter.
Where To Pay Your Bill
Pay in person at the Revenue Collections Office on the first floor of City Hall
Mail your payment to City of Keene, P.O. Box 544, Keene, NH 03431
Pay online by clicking here.
Repairs/Issues
Water – The owner of the property is responsible for the water bill, and any repairs to the water meter, or water lines on the property. If there is a water leak or other problem, customers may hire a private contractor to perform repairs so that work meets the City of Keene’s minimum engineering standards. Please call our office at 603-352-6550 if you have any questions.
The property owner is responsible for any repairs made on the property’s water service from the property line or curb stop to the water meter, as well as inside of the house. The City is responsible for repairs from the property line or curb stop to the main in the street.
Sewer – The property owner is responsible for any repairs to the sewer service from where it connects to the main in the street all the way to the inside of the house. This includes the cost to clear blockages in the sewer line. The City is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the mains in the street.
Sewer Backups
To prevent sewage from backing up in your basement when there is a problem with your service, (off the main in the street) a device called a backwater valve is required for all plumbing fixtures that are located below the level of the sewer main in the street. This generally means that if you have a bathroom, sink, or washing machine in your basement, you should have a backwater valve installed. If you don’t know if you have or need this valve, you should contact a plumber.
Emergencies
Water and Sewer Division personnel are on call 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies, but the homeowner may be billed for the service.
For Water/Sewer billing concerns/questions: 603-352-3239.
During working hours, call the Public Works Department at 603-352-6550.
In an after hours emergency, call the Keene Police Department at 603-357-9813.