Water rates are adopted every year by the Mayor and Commissioners as part of their annual budget. Customers concerned about their water rates should check the public notices section of this page or the legal advertisements in the Cecil Whig for dates and times of all budget related meetings. Meetings on the budget are usually held in May and June of each year. In January 2017 the Town had a Water Utility Rate Study conducted by an independent consultant using industry standards for setting rates.
Water Rates
There is a 5,000 gallon minimum per equivalent residential unit, all properties which use between 0 and 5,000 gallons in a quarter will be charged the minimum bill regardless of whether there has been any usage. Effective July 1, 2015, all buildable lots will be charged a minimum water bill even if there is no structure on the property. This fee maintains the property’s allocation at the water plant, the Town is required to guarantee water to all buildable lots, and there is debt service which needs to be paid and maintenance that needs to be done on the water system regardless of if a property uses the water or not.
The Town bills for water on a quarterly basis. Bills are mailed at the end of March, June, September, and December. Bills are due when rendered, payable within 30 days. After 30 days the Town will send a second notice and charge an additional $16.00 to the account. Bills not paid seven days after the second notices are mailed will be assessed a fee of $45.00 and their water shut off. Bills which remain unpaid after five days from shut off will have their meters locked or removed and a fee of $355.00 will be assessed to the account. Once water has been shut off, service will not be restored until all past due charges and fees are paid and the account has a zero balance.
In Town Rates
Water rates for customers located in the corporate limits of the Town of North East are as follows:
| 0-5,000 gallons | $50.50* |
| Over 5,000 gallons | $10.10 per 1,000 gallons of water used |
| Ready to Serve | $25.25* |
| Bulk Water Sales | $50.50 per 1,000 gallons |
| Connection Fee | $2,525* |
| Major Facilities Fee | $3,500* |
Out of Town Rates **
Water rates for customers located outside the corporate limits of the Town of North East are as follows:
| 0-5,000 gallons | $101.50* |
| Over 5,000 gallons | $20.20 per 1,000 gallons of water used |
| Ready to Serve | $50.50* |
| Bulk Water Sales | $50.50 per 1,000 gallons |
| Connection Fee | $2,525* |
| Major Facilities Fee | $3,500* |
Penalties for Overdue Bills **
The following fees will be assessed to accounts that are past due.
| Shut off notice | $16.00 |
| Scheduling disconnection of service | $45.00 |
| Pulling or Locking the meter | $355.00 |