Frequently Asked Questions

No, fortunately, lead was not used for water service lines in Mendon. There are also no galvanized steel service lines. All service line materials used in Mendon are copper or plastic (HDPE). Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. We would be happy to schedule an appointment to confirm your service line material.

By revising state and federal policies, Mendon has completed an inventory of our service lines. Our inventory was filed with MA DEP on 10/16/24 as required, along with a certification that Mendon does not have any lead service lines.

Our inventory was compiled with a detailed review of our records and historical information, as well as physical inspection of our services. As of 10/16/24, we have completed a field verification of 38% of our service lines. We will continue to conduct inspections until we have field verified all of our service connections.

Records Review

The Mendon water system started in 1946. A review of the 1946 plans and specifications for the initial build-out and the 1956 contract for an expansion both confirm the use of a 3⁄4-inch Type K water service line. An analysis of tie-cards, applications for service, and Assessor's property records was used to establish dates for each connection to the system. Mendon initially was supplied by Bellingham and worked closely with them from 1947 until 1961. We consulted with Bellingham, and they confirmed that Bellingham did not use lead in their system. From 1961 through 2005, Mendon received water and worked very closely with the Milford Water Company (now the Town of Milford). We consulted with them as well and learned they did use lead when they started in the 1880s, but it was phased out in the mid-1900s, and no longer in use at the time Mendon switched over. There were 39 new connections between the 1956 expansion and 1986. 26 of those were part of a subdivision that used HDPE service lines. Of the remaining 13, there is no evidence of lead being used in a review of tie cards and other records. 5 of the 13 have been field verified, and we will prioritize inspections of these remaining 8 properties to confirm. Of the 12 remaining unknown lines in our inventory, 3 were installed after 1986, and the remaining 9 are either copper or HDPE, as noted in the comments section.

Field Verification

We began inspecting and documenting service line materials during water meter replacements starting in 2015 and during final readings starting in 2018. So far, we've been able to verify 61 (38%) of the 161 service lines in the inventory. Several lines in each section/subdivision have been verified to confirm the validity of the records review. The few remaining unknown lines are either plastic or copper, as noted in the comments section.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. We would be happy to schedule an appointment to confirm your service line material.

Visit the MA DEP Lead in Drinking Water Resource Site

Related Documents

• LSL - Mendon Water (2179000) Non-Lead Statement (PDF)
• LSL - Mendon Town Hall Campus (2179027) Non-Lead Statement (PDF)
• Mendon Water (2179000) - Service Line Inventory (PDF)

To request a final reading, email the Water Commission or phone 508-473-2547. Please allow at least one week for final readings. We will make every effort to accommodate your request for a final reading ASAP, but please keep in mind our staff is part-time.

There is a $25 fee for final readings outside the regular billing schedule. For less than 7 days' notice, the fee is $50. This fee will be included in the final bill. Capital fees will be prorated.

Town water is available for a very limited number of properties in Mendon near Route 140 and Route 16. Properties are limited because a small water system was constructed in the 1940's but due to a lack of funding and support was never expanded beyond these areas. The number of available connections is capped by several contracts with the Town of Hopedale, and there is no availability for expansion at this time.

In general, new services are not available due to contract limitations. Conversions from residential use to commercial use are also prohibited. Please contact us before buying or selling a property to confirm the status and availability of water.

Town water is available to some properties on the following streets and billed by the Mendon Water Commission:

• Cape Road (1-62)
• Hartford Avenue E (143-159, 95, and 97 only)
• Mill River Drive
• Edward Road
• Bates Street
• Joseph Road
• Talbott Farm Drive
• Parker Road
• Dudley Road

There are 24 properties along Milford St, near the Hopedale town line, on Town water service due to a special agreement and are billed directly by the Town of Hopedale:

• Milford Street (20 lots)
• Harrington Street (6 and 8)
• Eight Rod Road (4 and 8)

Three properties are serviced directly by Bellingham Town Water, also by special agreement.

• 57 Bates Street
• 75 Cape Road
• 82 Cape Road

Please contact the Water Commission with all billing inquiries. If you believe there is a problem with your meter or your bill, please contact us ASAP. Email is the best way to reach us for the fastest response. Please note that along with 14% interest, there is a $25 late fee for bills past due, and an additional $50 penalty fee for bills 16 days past due.

Water Bills can be paid at the Treasurer/Collector's office during business hours or mailed. CLICK HERE for hours/address. Online payments for water bills are not available at this time. Please note that there is often a delay associated with "bill-pay" services offered by many financial institutions. Payments made this way may take a week to clear. Please allow sufficient time for all payments to arrive by the due date.

Email Water Commission

Phone - 508-473-2547

Meter Reading

Your water meter is equipped with a "Low Flow Indicator". This indicator will rotate any time water is being used, i.e, faucets, dishwashers, water heaters, or hose spigots. With every fixture in the house turned off, this indicator should remain stopped. If the indicator is rotating, Water Is Being Consumed.

Check for water leaks

• Toilets
• Faucets
• Shower Heads
• Water Heater

These are some of the most common places where leaks occur, with outlets being the most common.

• New Water Meter - Low Flow Indicator
• Old Style Water Meter - Low Flow Indicator

Abatement Policies

(as adopted 10/7/21)

Abatement Policy - Water Leaks

• A customer may challenge billed usage resulting from a leak by submitting a written request to the Department (email is acceptable).
  • This request shall include all supporting documents, including evidence of repair by a licensed plumber or certified lawn irrigation technician. Self-repair (DIY) is subject to the discretion of the commission.

• At their next regularly scheduled meeting, the Water Commission shall consider the request using the following guidelines:

  • Questionable usage must be at least 100% higher than the average of the previous 3 same-quarterly billing periods.
  • The applicant has presented supporting documentation including but not limited to the cause and location of the leak together with proof of repair. Household plumbing repairs require a Massachusetts licensed plumber, underground lawn-irrigation repairs require a certified lawn irrigation surveyor unless self-repair (DIY) is approved by the Executive Director.
  • Meter and Billing history confirming no mistakes were made in the processing of the bill.
• If approved, water usage shall be recalculated as follows:
  • Average use (average of the previous three quarters) shall be calculated at the current rate.
  • Usage above the average use shall abate in whole or in part at the discretion of the commission.
  • Any fees charged shall be abated if they are directly resulting from delays in reviewing the customer's request for abatement.
  • Any abatement for amounts already paid will be processed as a credit on the account towards future bills. No refunds shall be given.
• Any request for abatement due to leak under this policy will only be considered once per owner within a 5 year billing period.

Abatement Policy - Billing Issues

• A customer may challenge a late fee, penalty, or interest by the following policy by submitting a written request to the Department (email is acceptable).
  • This request shall include all supporting documents, including copies of canceled checks, receipts, proof of payment, postmarks, etc.
• At their next regularly scheduled meeting, the Water Commission shall consider the request using the following guidelines
  • The customer has paid on time in the preceding 5-year period
  • Failure to receive a bill does not excuse payment.
  • Payment shall be decided by the date the Town received payment not the date on the check or date an online transaction was initiated.
  • Proof of an attempt to pay the bill promptly.
    • Customers are advised to allow up to 2 weeks for all "bill-pay" transactions through their bank. These services send a paper check to the Town, and there are frequently delays in processing before payment even arrives.
• The Water Commission does not have jurisdiction to waive fees for bounced checks, as these fees are charged by the Treasurer/Collector's Office and set by state law.
• Water Liens, once filed, shall be considered final, and the Commission shall not consider any further appeals. Any further appeal of water liens will fall under the jurisdiction of the Assessor's Office and Appellate Tax Board by relevant statutes.
• If approved, abatements will be processed as follows:
  • Late Fees and/or Admin Fees will be abated.
  • Interest shall not be abated if the bill was not paid by the due date, except in cases of mistake by the Town.
  • Any abatement for amounts already paid will be processed as a credit on the account towards future bills. No refunds shall be given.

No. All of our water is supplied by the Town of Hopedale. Hopedale does not add fluoride to its water. Fluoride can occur naturally in water; however, Hopedale tests for Fluoride and none was detected in 2018.

The Hopedale Capital Impact Fee is charged to all users of the Mendon water system. It covers the costs of debt service (loans), pays for system upgrades to Hopedale's water infrastructure. As Hopedale supplies all of Mendon's water, this cost is passed on to Mendon and our customers under the terms of our contracts with Hopedale. The fee is calculated yearly by dividing the total cost of Hopedale's debt by the total number of water customers in Mendon and Hopedale, and the 4 billing quarters.

The Local Capital Impact fee is also charged to all Mendon customers. This fee is intended to generate a small reserve for future repairs to Mendon's infrastructure. Many of the water mains were installed in the 40's and 50's and are nearing the end of their lifespan. As they age, there is an increased risk of failure that will result in very high costs for repairs. The main funding mechanism for these repairs will be assessments to our small user base. This fee is intended to start a fund for these future costs.

But I have a well, I don't use Town water. Why am I still being billed for a Capital Impact Fee?

All Mendon water accounts are assessed this Capital Impact Fee, even if they are not actively using water. If you do not need water from the Town, you can request us to terminate your account, and you will no longer be assessed this fee. If you wish to terminate your account, please contact us. Depending on your location, termination may or may not be allowed per the terms of the existing contracts. Once terminated, the account can only be reactivated by paying the initial start-up costs ($1,500 to $2,800). Also, please note that connections are extremely limited, and we cannot guarantee the future availability of a new connection if your account is terminated.