Water and Sewer Utility Services
The Town has completed its 3-year obligation under the Maryland Department of the Environment to increase its rates to address the water funds current operating deficit and added debt service that was incurred for a $1.17 million loan to replace the town's aging water transmission main.
*Total bill does not include State BRF Fee
Connection Fees: In-Town Out-of-Town
Water Connection Fee 2,500.00 7,000.00
Water Benefit Charge 2,600.00 2,600.00
Sewer Connection Fee 3,000.00* 5,000.00*
( * - plus the then-current county hookup or connection fee)
A 10% late charge is added to the bill if payment is received after the last day of the billing month. (Billing months – July, October, January and April.)
PAYMENT OPTIONS: (1) Town Hall Lobby (21 West Water Street) - Cash/Check/Money Order can be received by Town employees; (2) Town Hall Drop Box (21 West Water Street) - Check/Money Order may be placed in the drop box in front of Town Hall (it is not suggested to place cash in the drop box); (3) Online - Credit Cards (only accepted on the home page under Pay Utility Bill here (at this time); (4) United States Postal Service mailed to Town of Smithsburg, 21 West Water Street, Smithsburg, MD 21783 (The town is not responsible for the non-receipt of invoices or payments due to post office related matters).
Connection Fees: In-Town Out-of-Town
Water Connection Fee 2,500.00 7,000.00
Water Benefit Charge 2,600.00 2,600.00
Sewer Connection Fee 3,000.00* 5,000.00*
( * - plus the then-current county hookup or connection fee)
A 10% late charge is added to the bill if payment is received after the last day of the billing month. (Billing months – July, October, January and April.)
PAYMENT OPTIONS: (1) Town Hall Lobby (21 West Water Street) - Cash/Check/Money Order can be received by Town employees; (2) Town Hall Drop Box (21 West Water Street) - Check/Money Order may be placed in the drop box in front of Town Hall (it is not suggested to place cash in the drop box); (3) Online - Credit Cards (only accepted on the home page under Pay Utility Bill here (at this time); (4) United States Postal Service mailed to Town of Smithsburg, 21 West Water Street, Smithsburg, MD 21783 (The town is not responsible for the non-receipt of invoices or payments due to post office related matters).
Payments are NOT accepted at local banks.
MS4 Stormwater
What is MS4?
MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has established certain areas as permit holders making them key players in the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Plan.
Who is designated as an MS4?
MDE has designated the following municipalities in Washington County as MS4 Permit Holders; Boonsboro, Hagerstown, Smithsburg and Williamsport.
What is Required as an MS4 Permit holder?
When it rains, stormwater washes excess nutrients, chemicals, and dirt from impervious surfaces, such as buildings, roads, and parking lots into local waters and the Chesapeake Bay. Excess stormwater runoff can also flood local communities, scour sediment from waterways, and degrade the health of stream systems. MDE’s four draft permits will continue the state’s robust work to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution from stormwater as part of a larger effort that requires all sectors – including sewage treatment plants, septic systems, and agriculture – in Maryland and the surrounding region to do their fair share to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. The MS4 permits require local jurisdictions to restore impervious surface areas that have little or no stormwater treatment with green infrastructure and other techniques at a pace and scale that they can achieve through continued commitment, collaboration, and innovation. The permits are a key element of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay restoration plan.
What is an Illicit Discharge?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines an illicit discharge as, “any discharge into a storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater.” This means that anything other than simply the water that falls from the sky is an illicit discharge. There are many hazardous household products, yardcare products, fertilizers, dog waste, car soaps and automotive fluids that turn what should only be stormwater into an illicit discharge that pollutes and degrades local water quality.
Pollution Prevention
When it rains, a portion of the rainwater or storm water flows over the land into the storm drain and discharges directly to our streams, rivers, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. Storm water unlike sewage is not treated before it discharges to the stream. As it travels over land, storm water comes in contact with many substances. These substances may have a significant impact on the storm drain system and stream water quality. Some of the effects are flooding, clogging, property damage, and endangerment to aquatic life, recreation and drinking water.
Tips for Keeping a Clean Environment
MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has established certain areas as permit holders making them key players in the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Plan.
Who is designated as an MS4?
MDE has designated the following municipalities in Washington County as MS4 Permit Holders; Boonsboro, Hagerstown, Smithsburg and Williamsport.
What is Required as an MS4 Permit holder?
When it rains, stormwater washes excess nutrients, chemicals, and dirt from impervious surfaces, such as buildings, roads, and parking lots into local waters and the Chesapeake Bay. Excess stormwater runoff can also flood local communities, scour sediment from waterways, and degrade the health of stream systems. MDE’s four draft permits will continue the state’s robust work to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution from stormwater as part of a larger effort that requires all sectors – including sewage treatment plants, septic systems, and agriculture – in Maryland and the surrounding region to do their fair share to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. The MS4 permits require local jurisdictions to restore impervious surface areas that have little or no stormwater treatment with green infrastructure and other techniques at a pace and scale that they can achieve through continued commitment, collaboration, and innovation. The permits are a key element of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay restoration plan.
What is an Illicit Discharge?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines an illicit discharge as, “any discharge into a storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater.” This means that anything other than simply the water that falls from the sky is an illicit discharge. There are many hazardous household products, yardcare products, fertilizers, dog waste, car soaps and automotive fluids that turn what should only be stormwater into an illicit discharge that pollutes and degrades local water quality.
Pollution Prevention
When it rains, a portion of the rainwater or storm water flows over the land into the storm drain and discharges directly to our streams, rivers, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. Storm water unlike sewage is not treated before it discharges to the stream. As it travels over land, storm water comes in contact with many substances. These substances may have a significant impact on the storm drain system and stream water quality. Some of the effects are flooding, clogging, property damage, and endangerment to aquatic life, recreation and drinking water.
Tips for Keeping a Clean Environment
- Report any dumping of inappropriate materials into storm water drains (such as oil, antifreeze) to your local municipal officials.
- Use good housekeeping practices with lawn care chemicals, oil, gasoline, pet wastes, etc.
- Help to start or participate in programs to recycle and safely dispose of used oils and household hazardous wastes and containers.
- Tell others about pollution runoff and storm water runoff and what they can do to help.
- Plant trees, shrubs and ground cover to protect bare soil and reduce runoff.
- Create a “rain garden” to keep rain water in your yard to replenish plants.
- Try composting to recycle yard wastes and reduce fertilizer use.
- Find alternatives to the chemicals you use on your lawn.