Bondsville Water District

 

 

 

 

To protect the water resources of the Bondsville Fire and Water District, providing safe, high quality drinking water to our residents, water for fire protection, and good customer service in the most efficient and economical manner.

 

 

To be contacted in the case of a water emergency, please complete the following form and return to us by mail, email, phone, or dropbox. Emergency Response System Form

 

A Brief History of the Water System

The Bondsville Water Department was established in 1969 by the Massachusetts Legislature as part of the Bondsville Fire & Water District of the Town of Palmer. The original water main network was constructed in the early 1900’s and was primarily intended for use by the Boston Duck Co. This network consisted of a 6-inch cast iron water main carrying water from the Belchertown well field to the storage facility.

The Bondsville Fire and Water District receives its water supply from three gravel-packed wells, with a total rated pumping capacity of 0.36 million gallons per day (mgd). Wells No. 1 through 5 are located in Belchertown, Massachusetts alongside the Jabish Brook. Well No. 4 was installed in 1987 approximately 8 feet from Well No. 3. Well No. 3 is inactive and Well No. 2 is for emergency purposes only. There is one 500,000-gallon concrete storage facility in the District located off of High Street, Bondsville. This above-ground, covered reservoir was constructed in 1908. Well No. 5 is a gravel packed well that was constructed in 2008. In accordance with WMA Permit, Well No. 1 and 5 cannot be run simultaneously. Raw water from all active wells is treated at the Corrosion Control Facility located at the corner of Bardwell and River Streets in Belchertown.

In the 1990’s, the District acquired approximately 68 acres of land to protect the well fields through the MA Department of Environmental Protection, Aquifer Land Acquisition Program. The District continues to promote and develop resources to efficiently operate and maintain its facilities and infrastructure, planning for future water needs and providing management and technical support services for its members upon request.

The Bondsville Fire and Water District presently supplies water to consumers in the Town of South Belchertown and part of the Village of Thorndike, as well as to its own population. Most of the water consumed is used by residential customers and by industrial and commercial users who have comprised only a small percentage of water consumers in Bondsville since the mills were burned in 1968.

The Bondsville Fire & Water District’s Annual Meeting is held in May at the Bondsville Fire Station where the village’s fire and water department operating budgets are publicly approved and officials are elected. Additionally, the District holds monthly meetings to make sure these services are being adequately provided to its citizens. Meetings are held on either the 1^st or 2^nd Tuesday of the month. Our performance is dependent upon your participation. Feel free to contribute by submitting your name as a potential elected District official.

The Bondsville Fire & Water District is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

Payment Options

Cash or checks and money orders should be made payable to Bondsville Fire and Water District.  Payment can be made at the Bondsville Fire and Water Complex at 3174 Main Street during collection hours or can be mailed to BFWD, PO Box 179, Bondsville, MA 01009. Attention: We now have a dropbox for payments outside the main door at the fire station.

 

Real Estate Transfer

All requests for final bills for real estate transfers should be made at least three days before closing at 413-284-1627.  If we do not answer, please leave a message with your name, telephone number, and address of the real estate involved.

 

Consumer Frequently Asked Questions

Q:           How many times a year will I receive a bill?

A:            Meters are read and billed quarterly.

Q:           My water usage seems high; could something be wrong with my meter?

A:            Prior to meters being installed they are factory tested to be sure they accurately register water that is flowed through them. With the installation of the new water meters, we assure you that you are only billed for actual usage captured by your meter.

Q:           My water bill seems excessively high. What should I do?

A:            Consider having your house checked for leaks and have them repaired as soon as possible. It is amazing the amount of water a continuous leak wastes; toilets can lose up to 100 gallons a day; a slow dripping faucet can waste 350 gallons a month.

Q:           How can I, as a homeowner, check for household leaks myself?

A:            Some leaks are more obvious than others, such as dripping faucets and running toilets, however, others are not so obvious. The easiest way to check for leaks is to look at your meter when no one is using water in the house. On the top you will see a large sweep hand but you will also notice a small triangle. The triangle is a low flow indicator. When water is passing through the meter, regardless of the amount, that triangle will rotate. If that triangle is spinning when no one is using water, then you can be sure you have a leak somewhere.

Q:           I don’t think I have any leaks. What should I do?

A:            If you don’t think you have any leaks and want us to check, please call (413) 284-1627, Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 1:30 – 4:30 pm.

Q:           My neighbor’s bill is considerably lower than mine. How can this be?

A:            Remember, water bills are sent based on actual usage. There are a number of variables for each household that contribute to water consumption. They include family size, lifestyles, length of showers, laundry, and even appliances.

Q:           How can I help control water?

A:            Help by reporting system leaks. If you haven’t already done so, update your toilet to a modern unit. They use 1/3 of the water an older toilet uses. When washing dishes or laundry, wait until you have a full load. If you are contemplating buying a new washing machine, consider purchasing a new water efficient front loading model. If you water your lawn, water wisely. A standing sprinkler emits up to 4 gallons per minute. Minimize evaporation by watering in the early morning or evening hours, and use mulch to retain water.

Q:           If we have a summer with not much rain will there be a ban on outside watering?

A:            Yes. You will be notified of an outside water ban when necessary.