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Rate Changes

As part of the seven-year phase-in plan adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in December 2005, new quarterly water and sewer rates went into effect January 1, 2011. All customers already on the base plus variable rates are affected.

Quarterly rates will increase for the following systems that are on the base plus variable rate: Cavalier Country, Chesapeake Heights, Chesapeake Lighthouse, Cross Point, Industrial Park, Paris Oaks, Prince Frederick, Solomons, Shores of Calvert, Summit/Highlands, Tara, Twin Beach, Walnut Creek and White Sands.

The following systems have not yet transitioned to the new rates: Dares Beach, Hunting Hills, Kenwood Beach, Lakewood, Marley Run and St. Leonard. These six systems will remain on their current rate structure until January, 2013.

Payment Information

Quarterly bills are mailed the first business day of January, April, July and October. Please call the billing office to request a bill copy if it is not received by the 10th of the month. Payments are due at the end of the billing month, by January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31.

Delinquent Bills

Delinquent bills are sent out as reminders within one week of the original bill due date. Follow-up door knob tags are distributed at least one week before the service termination date to ensure delinquent customers are aware of non-payment in time to prevent shut off. A charge will be assessed on accounts that are not paid by 2 p.m. on the date noted on the door knob tag. This charge can be paid the next billing cycle.

Service shut-offs will begin the day after final payments are due (as noted on the tag). Delinquent accounts will be charged a fee even if service is not shut off. If service is shut off, reconnection will take at least two hours. In order for service to be restored the same business day, bills must be paid before 3 p.m. Telephone extensions for payment will no longer be granted.

Payment Methods

Prepayment

Bill payment installments are welcomed. The account must be fully paid by the final due date to avoid interruption of service.

Web Bill Pay

Please note that the “Web bill pay” feature offered by many banks takes longer than standard payment methods. Allow two weeks from the online request date for the county to receive payment. To avoid late payment, the Web bill pay method should be avoided for payments made after door knob tags have gone out.

Credit Cards and ACH payments

Calvert County’s Water & Sewer division has a new automated payment option. It is a convenient and time-saving way to pay your water and sewer bill quarterly.  Click Here for additional information.

About Your Water and Sewer Service

Meters and Water Lines

The county is responsible for maintaining water lines from the water main to the isolation valves or water meters at property lines only. Leaks or breakage in lines between this connection and the building are the responsibility of the property owner.

Water meters must be accessible to county personnel. If a water meter is inaccessible, the property owner will be required to pay for relocating or uncovering the meter.

The county has begun to install new water meters, so county service personnel may be seen working on area meters.

Please remember that meter tampering is illegal and violators are subject to legal action.

Sewer Cleanout

A sewer cleanout is a pipe covered by a cap that rises from the sewer lateral line to about four inches above ground level near the property line. If the cleanout is buried or hidden, the property owner is responsible for making it readily accessible. If a cleanout is not present, one should be installed at the property line by a licensed plumber.

Sewage Backups

The county is responsible for maintaining the wastewater lines from the main trunk to the sewer cleanout at the property line. In the event of a sewer backup, call the county first at 410-535-1600, ext. 2329, and a technician will diagnose the problem. If the sewer line and main are found to be clear or if the location lacks a property line cleanout, the property owner is responsible for repairing the blockage.

What Not to Flush

Help keep the sewer system functioning properly. These items should not be disposed of through any drain:

Diapers, cleaning wipes, clothing or cloth of any kind, paper towels, plastic, glass, metal, wood, fats, oils, grease, cat litter (including flushable cat litter), hair clippings, shells, sand, bones, small animals, flammable or explosive liquids and/or solids, strong chemicals (acidic or caustic corrosive substances), gasoline, antifreeze, all paint products including thinners or any other toxic substance.

Septic tank pumpings or materials from holding tanks, grease traps, porta-potties or cesspools must be sent to an approved treatment facility via licensed haulers.

Grinder Pumps

Wastewater normally flows by gravity from homes or businesses to the public sewer main. Buildings in low-lying areas, however, may need a pump to move wastewater to a sewer main at a higher elevation. A grinder pump works like a household garbage disposal, grinding up wastewater and pumping it into the public sewer system. Following the tips above on what not to flush will help avoid problems with grinder pumps.

Did you know …

State law prohibits the connection of storm water drainage to a county sewer system, whether by sump pump or other means.

Contact Information

Billing Questions/Account Updates 

Cindy Shippert, 410-535-1600, ext. 2211

Outage/Service Questions 

(Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.)Carolyn Narvell, 410-535-1600, ext. 2329

Kim Whittington, 410-535-1600, ext. 2554

Accounting  

Roxie Welch, 410-535-1600, ext. 2539

After-hours Emergencies 

Control Center, 410-535-3491

E-mail: waterandsewerage@co.cal.md.us

Calvert County Division of Water and Sewerage

County Services Plaza, Suite 205Mailing address: 150 Main StreetPrince Frederick, MD 20678

Fax: 410-414-2498www.co.cal.md.us

Sign up for the CodeRED alert system and learn about emergency service interruptions. Phone calls go out to all affected residents who are on the registry.

Follow the CodeRED link on the Calvert County Web site at www.co.cal.md.us to register.