Manchester Water Department: New Connection, Deposit & Setup

1. 1

   Choose the correct application

   Most homes, apartments and ordinary household accounts use the Application for Utility Service Residential. Businesses should use the business application.

2. 2

   Enter the customer and service information carefully

   Use the legal customer name, correct service address, mailing address, phone number and other information requested on the City’s form.

3. 3

   Complete the cross-connection survey when required

   Manchester’s tenant instructions specifically include the Cross-Connection Application Survey in the water-service setup packet.

4. 4

   Prepare a valid government-issued photo ID

   The City’s FAQ states that a photo ID is required when establishing service.

5. 5

   Prove your relationship to the property

   Homeowners should be ready with proof of ownership. Renters should provide proof of address such as a lease or rental agreement.

6. 6

   Prepare the applicable fee and deposit

   Current City guidance lists a $35 connection fee for homeowners and renters. Renters also have a refundable $150 deposit.

7. 7

   Submit the setup packet

   You can obtain the application through the City’s forms page or from Water Billing at Manchester City Hall. Tenant guidance also allows the required packet to be emailed to the billing office.

8. 8

   Confirm the requested service-start date

   Because the current Service Activation page is under construction, call 931-728-7171 to confirm processing and the actual turn-on schedule.

Manchester’s current Water & Sewer FAQ states that a homeowner who provides proof of ownership pays a $35 connection fee for service.

The City’s official FAQ currently describes the renter deposit as refundable. The $35 connection charge is separate from that deposit.

Tenant packet listed by Manchester

Older Manchester activation guidance has described same-day activation for some early requests, but because the current page is under construction, do not promise a same-day turn-on based on old instructions.

For the fastest practical setup

1. Submit before your move date. Do not wait until water is urgently needed.
2. Send every required document together. Missing ID or proof of address can delay account creation.
3. Pay the required setup amount. Verify how the City wants the fee/deposit paid.
4. Call 931-728-7171. Confirm that the packet was accepted.
5. Confirm the service date. Ask for the actual expected turn-on date for your address.
6. Ask about property access. If a meter or valve cannot be accessed, field work can be delayed.

A customer-account activation is different from creating a brand-new physical water connection. New construction can involve service-line standards, inspections, taps, valves and backflow requirements.

Manchester maintains a cross-connection control program to protect the public drinking-water system from contamination caused by backflow.

For new residential service, Manchester’s paperwork may ask about water-connected features that could create a cross-connection risk.

Manchester provides a Master Application for property owners and a Landlord Water Service Request Form for managing rental-property accounts.

Information Manchester asks landlords to provide when putting service back in their name

• Statement that you are the landlord and have a Master Application
• Full name
• Date service should return to your name
• Correct rental-property address
• Mailing address
• Phone number
• Email address

Manchester Water & Sewer reads meters and bills customers monthly.

1. Application incomplete Check whether every required field was completed and signed.
2. ID missing or unreadable Confirm Water Billing received a valid government-issued photo ID.
3. Lease / ownership proof missing Make sure the documentation matches the service address.
4. Cross-connection survey missing Tenant setup instructions include this form in the packet.
5. Deposit or fee issue Verify the required amount was paid or arrangements were completed.
6. Old balance or account issue Ask whether a previous Manchester utility balance or account issue is blocking service.
7. Requested date not confirmed Submitting a form does not necessarily establish the actual field-service schedule.
8. Meter inaccessible Vehicles, locked gates, construction or other obstacles can prevent field access.
9. New construction incomplete A physical service-line or inspection requirement may still be outstanding.
10. Still unsure? Call Water Billing at 931-728-7171 and ask for the status of the specific service address.

New customers sometimes discover running toilets, plumbing leaks or other high-consumption problems only after the first meter reading.

Connection Fee

The City’s currently published $35 charge for establishing qualifying new or transferred water service.

Renter Deposit

The currently published $150 refundable deposit required for renter water service.

Service Activation

Establishment of the utility account and physical availability of water service at the approved address.

Cross Connection

A plumbing arrangement that could allow non-potable water or another substance to flow back into the public drinking-water system.

Backflow Prevention

Equipment or plumbing controls used to prevent reverse flow into the public water system.

Proof of Ownership

Documentation used by Manchester Water Billing to verify that an applicant is the owner rather than a renter.

Service Disconnection

The formal process for ending responsibility for a Manchester Water & Sewer account.

ACH

Automatic electronic payment from a bank account after the customer completes the City’s authorization process.