The VDE operations revenue comes from various sources. Water revenue comes from precinct taxes and usage fees by all residential and commercial buildings in Eastman, and wastewater revenue comes solely from usage fees from those customers connected to the wastewater system: all condos, some houses, and two commercial buildings.
To finance capital improvements, the VDE utilizes the New Hampshire State Revolving Fund, the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank, and local bank loans as necessary.
The VDE also maintains several capital reserve accounts held at Bar Harbor Bank and Trust. These accounts are managed by a Board of Trustees and are funded by yearly reserves allocated from the overall budget.
Character of Water Service
Water is pumped from the wells to the water treatment plant, where it is filtered, treated, and transmitted by mains to the individual services.
Character of Sewer Service
Sewage is collected and pumped to the Headworks on Clearwater Drive, where lagoons pretreat with aeration prior to pumping to holding ponds by John’s Glen.
Residential and Commercial Usage
Meters are read quarterly – March, June, September, and December – and follow a quarterly billing system. Bills are mailed the first week following the end of each quarter. Currently, drinking water rates will be billed as follows:
Residential and Commercial Usage
Currently, wastewater connections will be billed as follows:
Accounts are considered delinquent 45 days from the billing date, at which time 1.5% per month may be levied on the outstanding balance. Delinquent accounts are subject to lien; a $75 filing fee will be added to any outstanding balance should a lien be filed for non-payment. A water service shut-off notice may also be sent. Customers subject to service suspension will be charged a reconnection fee of $125, and any balance shall be due in full before service will be reinstated.
Work performed by Village District personnel is billed on an hourly basis. The minimum charge on any call is the equivalent of one hour’s effort.
For seasonal service turn-off/on, please contact the VDE office at least 48 hours in advance. There is no charge to turn service off at the street for the season. The homeowner is billed $75 when service is turned back on.
A $500 non-refundable application fee, plus a service connection fee of $4,000, will be paid at the time the application for service is submitted. If connection costs exceed the $4,000, the homeowner will be billed for the difference. Actual costs of blasting and paving repairs are the owner’s responsibility.
Private well review: A non-refundable processing fee of $500 will accompany an application and full site plan. If an owner at a later date requests a connection to the water system, the fees outlined above will apply.
There is no charge for the visit to install a meter and transmitter when all the plumbing is in order. Currently, all residential and commercial connections must have pressure-reducing valves and cross-connection/backflow check valves inline. There is a $250 charge when VDE personnel are scheduled for a new meter/service turn-on if the meter installation requirements have not been met.
Effective January 2024, the VDE will no longer provide the meter horn/corner setter for the meter installations. The meter horn is part of the interior plumbing and should be procured by your plumber/installer.
If it is determined that the service call is a liability of the Village District of Eastman, the VDE will assume all costs.
Service Lines
The water service line which runs from the curb stop into the residence, excluding the water meter and transmitter, is the customer’s responsibility.
The sewer lateral, which runs from the residence to the force main manholes or gravity sewer main, is the customer’s responsibility.
The street curb valve is the property of the Village District of Eastman and is to be operated only by VDE personnel or its authorized agents. If the VDE determines that any unauthorized person has opened or closed a curb valve, the owner of the premises will be fined $250 and shall be liable for any resulting damage to the curb valve.
The meter and transmitter/remote-reader are the property of the Village District of Eastman: bypassing, tampering with, and/or removal of either meter or transmitter, or breaking their seals is prohibited and the owner of the premises will be held responsible. The VDE may take the following actions including, but not limited to: suspension of water service, levying a minimum fine of $250, require payment for estimated unauthorized usage, and legal prosecution.