Water Sewer
Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is an independent regional public utility providing drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 250,000 people across 10 communities in Massachusetts' lower Pioneer Valley, operating 597 miles of water main, 471 miles of sewer main, three reservoirs, and treatment facilities funded by ratepayer revenue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersAgawam, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Water Sewer does
Springfield Water and Sewer Commission (SWSC) is an independent regional public utility established in 1996 under Chapter 40N of the Massachusetts General Laws, serving approximately 250,000 people across 10 communities in the lower Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, including Springfield, Ludlow, Agawam, Southwick, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, West Springfield, Chicopee, and Wilbraham. The Commission operates three water supply reservoirs (Cobble Mountain, Borden Brook, and Ludlow), the West Parish Filters Water Treatment Plant (1909, modernized 1974) producing 30-50 MGD, the Springfield Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility at Bondi's Island (40 MGD average, 67 MGD maximum capacity, operated under contract by SUEZ), and a 33 MW Cobble Mountain hydroelectric station. Its distribution and collection footprint comprises 597 miles of water pipe, 471 miles of wastewater mains, 6,224 hydrants, 20,000 valves, 27 pump stations, and 23 combined sewer overflow outfalls.
The Commission's core products are drinking water supply and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, regional wholesale water service to surrounding towns, fire protection service, and a portfolio of add-on services including smart metering, auxiliary meters for irrigation, hydrant meter rentals, leak detection audits, and customer assistance programs (Customer Assistance Program, senior/disabled/veteran discounts). Pricing is usage-based on a per-100-cubic-foot model with tiered rates by customer class (residential, commercial, industrial, municipal, medical, food service) plus monthly service charges, fire service charges, and an infrastructure renewal charge.
Revenue is generated almost entirely from ratepayer fees across the regulated service territory; the Commission receives no annual municipal, state, or federal operating funding. Revenue streams include water service charges, sewer service charges, fire service subscriptions, infrastructure renewal charges, connection and service fees, and late-payment penalties. The Commission also benefits from external capital: a $500 million infrastructure renewal program (2021), WIFIA loan financing from EPA, $4.97 million and $4.47 million grants/loan forgiveness from Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, and $15 million State Revolving Fund loan (2020). The Commission is governed by a three-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor of Springfield.
Water Sewer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Water Sewer
- Legal name
- Springfield Water and Sewer Commission
- Website
- https://waterandsewer.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is an independent regional public utility providing drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 250,000 people across 10 communities in Massachusetts' lower Pioneer Valley, operating 597 miles of water main, 471 miles of sewer main, three reservoirs, and treatment facilities funded by ratepayer revenue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Water Sewer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water and Wastewater Utility Services
- NAICS
- Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Utilities (221)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sewer Pump/Lift Stations & Wet Wells (EUANACAC), Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control & Compliance (Storage, Separation, Treatment) (EUANAEAG), Municipal Wastewater Collection (Sewer Networks) (BPALAMAA)
Keywords
Where Water Sewer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Agawam
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Water Sewer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Water Service Charges: Revenue from water service charges based on consumption (per 100 cubic feet) and monthly service charges based on meter size. Water rates: Residential $6.03, Commercial $6.03, Industrial $4.50, Municipal $4.50 per 100 cubic feet. The Commission is funded almost entirely through revenue paid by ratepayers and receives no annual funding from municipal, state, or federal sources.
- Sewer/Wastewater Service Charges: Revenue from sewer service charges based on consumption and customer category. Sewer rates: Residential $7.85, Institutional $7.85, Municipal $7.85, Commercial $8.64, Medical $8.64, Industry-Dry $9.42, Industry-Wet $9.42, Food Service $10.20 per 100 cubic feet.
- Fire Service Charges: Monthly service charges for fire line protection based on pipe size (2" to 12" fire service pipes with monthly charges ranging from $10.38 to $879.72).
- Infrastructure Renewal Charge: Additional monthly charges to fund infrastructure improvements. For FY2027: 5/8" meter $13.08, 3/4" meter $13.08, 1" meter $13.08, 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" meters $26.16.
- Connection and Service Fees: Fees for new service connections, service repairs, shut-off/turn-on services, meter installations, and other operational services. Minimum service charge for technician response is $75.
- Penalties and Late Fees: Late fees assessed at 12% APR on overdue balances for delinquent accounts (delinquent 30 days from billing date).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Monthly | Residential Water Service |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Commercial Water Service |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Industrial Water Service |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Municipal Water Service |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Residential Sewer Service |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Commercial Sewer Service |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Industrial Sewer Service |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Food Service Sewer Service |
| Subscription | Monthly | Senior Discount |
| Subscription | Monthly | Disabled Homeowner Discount |
| Subscription | Monthly | Disabled Veteran Discount |
| Subscription | Annual | Customer Assistance Program (CAP) |
| Subscription | Other | Non-Beneficial Use Allowance (NBA) |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Service/Repair Fees |
| Subscription | Monthly | Fire Service Charges |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Water Sewer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is an independent regional public utility that supplies drinking water and provides wastewater collection and treatment to approximately 250,000 residents across ten communities in the lower Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. It operates the largest combined water and wastewater system in Western Massachusetts, including a water filtration plant at Westfield, the Provin Mountain reservoir, six storage tanks, an on-site hydro-electric facility, and the 240-million-gallon-per-day Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility on Bondi's Island. The Commission bills customers monthly, offers bilingual service, and reports the lowest combined water and sewer rates in Massachusetts.
Product overview
Springfield Water and Sewer Commission operates as a regional public water utility providing drinking water and essential sewer services. The Commission manages a unified system comprising water supply from three reservoirs (Cobble Mountain, Borden Brook, Ludlow), treatment at West Parish Filters Water Treatment Plant, and wastewater treatment at the Springfield Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility on Bondi's Island. Services include drinking water distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, smart metering, customer billing, and various assistance programs (CAP, senior discounts, leak detection). The Commission's approximately 230 employees serve approximately 250,000 people across 10 communities in the lower Pioneer Valley.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Drinking Water Supply and Distribution
Quantifiable outcome
- 52,000+ water quality tests analyzed annually with results meeting or exceeding EPA and MassDEP standards
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Water Sewer
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Water Sewer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature4 records
Water Sewer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreEPA Assistant Administrator Radhika Fox attended announcement of the $500 million Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Renewal Program. Commission works under EPA regulatory oversight and received WIFIA loan financing.
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental ProtectioncoreAwarded $15 million low-cost competitive State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan for critical drinking water infrastructure improvements. Commission operates under MassDEP regulatory oversight.
- SUEZcoreSUEZ is the contracted wastewater treatment operator for the Springfield Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility at Bondi's Island. SUEZ manages day-to-day wastewater treatment operations while the Commission maintains ownership and oversight.
- Walsh Construction Company II, LLCmajorAwarded contract for construction of the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant. Walsh Construction received Notice to Proceed for the major capital project.
- Springfield Public SchoolsminorPartnership to develop Pipeline Program - a summer internship program introducing Springfield Public Schools students to water sector careers.
- Springfield Technical Community College (STCC)minorPartnered with STCC and Massachusetts Water Works Association to offer the state's first online water treatment operator course.
- Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA)minorCollaborative partner for water treatment operator training programs and professional development for Commission staff.
- Dig Safe (811)minorCommission is a member of Dig Safe, the 811 underground utility mark-out system for Massachusetts, ensuring safe excavation practices.
Scale indicators26 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Water Sewer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA): Regional wholesale water and wastewater authority serving greater Boston including61 communities. Directly comparable to SWSC as a Massachusetts-chartered regional water/sewer utility with similar capital program scale, regulatory structure, and customer base.
- Aquarion Water Company: Investor-owned water utility serving parts of New England including Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Comparable to SWSC in serving customers in the same general Northeast geography with similar regulatory and climate considerations, though privately held.
Direct peers
- DC Water: Independent regional water and wastewater authority serving the District of Columbia and surrounding jurisdictions. Closely analogous to SWSC in being an independent regional utility, providing integrated water/sewer service, executing large capital programs, and operating treatment and collection infrastructure at city-scale.
- Philadelphia Water Department: Municipal water and wastewater utility serving Philadelphia with combined sewer system, large treatment plants, and extensive distribution network. Comparable to SWSC in operating a combined sewer system, large customer base, and aging infrastructure.
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission: Regional water, wastewater, and power utility serving San Francisco and wholesale customers in the Bay Area. Comparable to SWSC in integrating water, sewer, and power generation functions under one public agency structure with regional wholesale customers.
Broad incumbents
- Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: Large regional wholesale water supplier serving 26 member agencies across Southern California. Comparable to SWSC in operating as a wholesale regional utility under state-chartered authority, with extensive treatment and conveyance infrastructure.
- American Water Works Company: Largest publicly traded US water and wastewater utility serving over 14 million people across 14 states. Comparable to SWSC as a regulated water/wastewater utility, but private and far larger in scale with a multi-state footprint.
- Essential Utilities: Multi-state regulated water and natural gas utility serving roughly 5 million people across 10 states. Comparable to SWSC in providing regulated water/wastewater services with similar rate-based economics, though private and geographically diversified.
- Veolia North America: Operates and manages water and wastewater systems for municipalities across North America. Comparable to SWSC because Veolia's municipal contracts mirror SWSC's model of operating treatment and distribution on behalf of public clients, and Veolia is a competitor/alternative to SUEZ (SWSC's current contract operator).
Others
- SUEZ North America (Suez WTS): Direct incumbent contractor already operating SWSC's Bondi's Island wastewater facility, and a competitor for outsourced municipal water/wastewater O&M contracts. Comparable as a peer operator rather than as a competing utility in SWSC's territory.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Water Sewer social profiles
Digital presenceWater Sewer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Water Sewer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Water Sewer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Water Sewer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Water Sewer
What does Water Sewer do?
The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is an independent regional public utility that supplies drinking water and provides wastewater collection and treatment to approximately 250,000 residents across ten communities in the lower Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. It operates the largest combined water and wastewater system in Western Massachusetts, including a water filtration plant at Westfield, the Provin Mountain reservoir, six storage tanks, an on-site hydro-electric facility, and the 240-million-gallon-per-day Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility on Bondi's Island. The Commission bills customers monthly, offers bilingual service, and reports the lowest combined water and sewer rates in Massachusetts.
Is Water Sewer a public or private company?
Water Sewer is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Water Sewer founded?
Water Sewer was founded in 1996.
Where is Water Sewer based?
Water Sewer is headquartered in Agawam, United States, in the North America region.
How does Water Sewer make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Water Service Charges are the primary driver. The others are sewer/Wastewater Service Charges, fire Service Charges, infrastructure Renewal Charge, connection and Service Fees and penalties and Late Fees.
Who are Water Sewer's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and Aquarion Water Company. Direct peers are DC Water, Philadelphia Water Department and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Broad incumbents are Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, American Water Works Company, Essential Utilities and Veolia North America. SUEZ North America (Suez WTS) is listed as an others.
Does Water Sewer have an API?
No public API is recorded for Water Sewer.
What industry is Water Sewer in?
Water Sewer's product category is Water and Wastewater Utility Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAG, Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration, with a secondary code of EUANACAC, Sewer Pump/Lift Stations & Wet Wells. Its NAICS code is 2213 and its SIC code is 4941.