- Final Water Meter Reading appointments are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. Please note: Aappointment times are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Appointment times are available on the hour, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Use the online booking calendar to select your preferred appointment date and time.
Final water meter readings are typically scheduled about 5–7 days prior to the closing (settlement) date. However, the applicant is responsible for selecting a date that reasonably accommodates the interests of both the selling and purchasing parties.
We recommend that you consult with your closing attorney prior to selecting a final meter reading date. Please note that final meter readings are scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays only and that available appointment times are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
Seller or Authorized Representative Availability
Yes. The seller (owner of record), or a designated representative of the seller, is required to be present at the property during the Final Water Meter Reading appointment to provide District personnel with access to the interior of the dwelling or building.
Access to the interior of the property is required for District personnel to:
- Inspect the water meter;
- Perform any necessary meter upgrades or replacements; and
- Obtain the final water meter reading.
Yes. Property owners should familiarize themselves with the location of the water meter prior to the scheduled Final Water Meter Reading appointment and ensure that the meter and associated equipment are readily accessible to District personnel.
Why is this important? In accordance with the District’s Rules and Regulations, if the water meter and associated equipment are enclosed within an access panel or other structure that does not provide sufficient clearance (2 feet by 2 feet) for routine maintenance, inspection, meter replacement, or equipment upgrades, the owner shall be required to modify the opening to provide adequate access.
The Final Water Statement and payoff amount shall not be released until the required modifications have been completed and the work has been inspected and approved by District personnel.
Most water meters are located in the basement set along the foundation wall where the water line comes into the property from the street connection. In the case of a slab foundation, the meter may be in a bedroom closet or utility closet. Although rare, if the dwelling is set-back exceptionally far from the street the meter may be located in an underground vault (pit) near to the street connection and would only be accessible by a District staff member.
There are several different meter register styles currently in use; however, they all share a similar appearance.
Water meters are typically equipped with one of the following register types:
- A 9-digit LCD display register with a solar panel; or
- A traditional six-wheel analog register.
All meter register styles are installed on a brass meter body.
You should plan for about 15-30 minutes, depending on whether the meter needs to be upgraded to a newer model (there is no charge for the newer meter model).
Once the final meter reading has been completed and processed, a member of the District’s Customer Service team will send an electronic notification to the applicant who completed Final Meter Reading request form.
The email notification will include:
- The final payoff amount, including the $50.00 Final Meter Reading Processing Fee; and
- Instructions for remitting payment of the Final Water Statement balance.
How
Payments made for Final Water Statements may be made, in-person by:
- Certified bank check;
- Money order; or
- Cash only.
Upon receipt of payment in full, the District shall provide the payor with a paid, stamped receipt for presentation to the closing attorney. This receipt shall serve as confirmation that all water service account charges and outstanding balances associated with the property address identified on the Final Water Statement have been satisfied in full and shall be provided for use in accordance with standard Massachusetts real estate conveyancing and closing practices.
Note
Personal checks, credit or debit payments, and payments drawn from an Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (IOLTA) are not accepted for Final Water Statement transactions.
Why
Payments submitted in connection with a property conveyance must be made using a guaranteed form of payment. Personal checks, credit or debit card payments, and payments drawn from an IOLTA account are not accepted because these payment methods are not considered guaranteed funds and may be subject to risks, including:
- Incorrect issuance or processing of the payment;
- Insufficient funds or account restrictions;
- Payment delays or processing issues;
- Funds being directed to the wrong entity or account; or
- Payments being stopped, reversed, or returned.
When will my Final Water Statement be ready?
The Final Meter Reading is processed the same day as the appointment, and is typically ready for payoff within two hours of the appointment time.Once the Final Water Statement is processed, the payoff amount and payoff instructions will be emailed to the person (applicant) who completed the Final Meter Reading request form.
Where can I pay my Final Water Statement?
Payments can be made in-person at:
The Sudbury Water District Administration Building
199 Raymond Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
Monday – Thursday 8 am – 4 pm
Friday 8 am – 1 pm
Accepted Payment Methods for Final Water Statement Transactions
Final Water Statement payments may be made by:
- Certified bank check;
- Money order; or
- Cash only.
Checks issued from personal checking accounts, payments made by credit or debit card, and checks drawn from an IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) account are not accepted.
Why are personal checks, credit/debit card payments, and IOLTA payments not accepted?
Payments submitted in connection with a property conveyance must be made using a guaranteed form of payment.
Personal checks, credit or debit card payments, and payments drawn from an IOLTA account are not accepted because these payment methods are not considered guaranteed funds and may be subject to risks, including:
- Incorrect issuance or processing of the payment;
- Insufficient funds or account restrictions;
- Payment delays or processing issues;
- Funds being directed to the wrong entity or account; or
- Payments being stopped, reversed, or returned.
The Sudbury Water District is an independent, autonomous municipal entity. The District is not a department of the Town of Sudbury and is not affiliated with any Town departments, boards, or offices. The District maintains its own independent financial records and payment processing procedures.
Historically, payments intended for Final Water Statement payoffs have been incorrectly mailed or issued payable to the Town of Sudbury and applied toward Town-related obligations. Additionally, if a personal check is returned due to insufficient funds, account closure, or other bank account issues after a property conveyance has been completed, the District has limited ability to recover the outstanding balance from the former owner.
Therefore, restricting accepted payment methods to certified bank checks, money orders, or cash ensures:
- Receipt of verified funds;
- Payment is issued to the correct municipal entity (Sudbury Water District);
- Accurate and efficient completion of Final Water Statement transactions prior to the official closing date; and
- All water service account charges and balances associated with the former owner of record are satisfied prior to the conveyance of real property and are not carried forward as an obligation of the new owner of record.
Although the District is able to obtain routine water consumption readings remotely, the Final Water Meter Reading appointment requires District personnel to access the interior of the dwelling or building to inspect the water meter and associated equipment.
Interior access is required to:
- Verify the condition of the water meter and associated equipment;
- Perform any necessary meter upgrades or replacements;
- Confirm that the meter installation complies with the District’s maintenance and accessibility requirements; and
- Obtain the official Final Water Meter Reading used to prepare the Final Water Statement.
Routine remote meter readings do not eliminate the requirement for an in-person inspection as part of the Final Water Meter Reading process.
Yes. A final meter reading/inspection is required for a relocation.