The Baltimore Department of Public Works may administratively adjust the amount of water and/or sewer consumed for a billing period where a leak or situational (appliances, interior fixtures, etc) high usage was experienced.  Underground leaks may also qualify for a reduction to the sewer portion of the bill but must be repaired by a licensed plumber with proof of repair. 

If you qualify based on the conditions listed below and would like to submit an adjustment for review, please either complete and submit the request form online or download and mail the request to DPW Customer Support and Services Division, 200 Holliday St., First Floor, Room 8, Baltimore, MD 21202.

If approved, the adjustment will appear on the customer’s bill approximately 4 weeks after the request was received.

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. 

Calculation of Adjustment

Interior/Situational Usage Adjustment:

This type of adjustment is limited to charges for water consumption only – no other charges will be adjusted.  It is calculated from the daily average (mean) consumption of water from the last billing period prior to the leak and is multiplied by the total days of service within the affected billing period.  Fifty percent (50%) of the additional water usage is deducted from the amount owed.  To our most vulnerable customers who are currently enrolled in our senior or hardship discount programs, an adjustment of the full overage of water usage is credited to the account.

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 adjustment is for water and sewer consumption only.  It is calculated from the daily average consumption of water from the last billing period prior to the leak and is multiplied by the total days of service within the affected billing period.  The additional water usage is deducted from the amount owed and sewer charges reflect the change.  The bill is then re-calculated based upon the adjusted volume of water/sewer consumption.  Evidence of an underground leak repair must be provided from a licensed plumber to qualify for an underground leak adjustment.