Billerica's water, sewer and what they mean for your house
Billerica draws its public water from the Concord River, treats it at a town plant and stores it in two elevated tanks before it reaches homes, according to the town's Public Works pages. Wastewater runs to the town's collection system and treatment plant. Those two facts shape most calls we get here: water pressure and quality questions on one side, and sewer backups on the other.
The town is home to about 42,000 people and sits roughly seven miles from Chelmsford. We reach it by Route 3A or Route 3, depending on traffic. Our emergency line covers Billerica around the clock.
Sewer backups and the town's wastewater division
Billerica's Wastewater Division can be reached at 978-671-0956 for questions about the town sewer, and the Water Division at 978-671-0957. The town has published guidance on preventing sewer backups in your home. If sewage is backing up, stop using water and call us. We can tell whether the blockage sits in your lateral or in the main.
For cleaning, see sewer line cleaning. For a line that keeps returning, sewer inspection shows the cause on video.
Before we arrive: if you have a burst pipe or active leak
Sewer backing up in Billerica?
Stop water use and call.
Rivers, brooks and wet basements
The Concord River and the Shawsheen River are Billerica's two major waterways, and the Middlesex Canal once ran through town between 1795 and 1852. Low-lying lots near the water can see groundwater rise after heavy rain or a quick thaw. A sump pump that fails then is an emergency.
Our sump pump team repairs and installs pumps and backups. If the water keeps returning, ask about drainage on our basement waterproofing page.
Do you cover every ZIP code in Billerica?
Yes. Billerica is served by ZIP codes 01821 and 01862, which together cover Billerica Center, East Billerica, North Billerica, South Billerica and the neighborhoods along Route 3A. We dispatch to both, and homes in Nutting Lake and Pinehurst fall inside them.
What to do while we are on the way to Billerica
- Stop using water if the problem is a backup, and keep children and pets away from standing water.
- Shut off the main water valve if a pipe is leaking, and know where it is before you need it.
- Turn off the water heater if it is leaking or flooded.
- Note which fixtures are affected, which helps us bring the right equipment.
- Move valuables away from wet areas.
Tell dispatch your street and which village or neighborhood you are in. That helps us plan the route and the time. We do not promise arrival times, because traffic and weather are real, and we give you an honest estimate when you call.
Common Billerica calls and which page covers them
| Problem | First step | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer backing up in the basement | Stop water use | Sewer line cleaning |
| Water heater leaking | Shut supply | Water heater replacement |
| Basement flooding | Check the pump | Sump pump repair |
| Pipe burst | Close the main | Burst pipe repair |
| Slow drains in several fixtures | Call to diagnose | Drain cleaning |
Each page explains what to do while the plumber is on the way and what the repair involves.
Nearby towns
From Billerica we often head to Lowell to the north. Chelmsford sits right beside it, so calls that cross the line are common.
Plumbing questions from Billerica homeowners
Yes. The 24/7 line covers Billerica every day of the year. Sewer backups, burst pipes and flooded basements are dispatched as emergencies.
Yes. We cover ZIP 01821 and 01862, including Billerica Center, East Billerica, North Billerica, Nutting Lake and Pinehurst.
The town's Wastewater Division, at 978-671-0956. If the blockage is in your line, we clear it.
The town reports drawing it from the Concord River, with treatment at a town plant.
Replacing or relocating piping needs one, pulled by a licensed plumber. Minor repairs do not.
We repair pumps, fix leaks and clear drains. Foundation water paths may need a specialist.
Billerica's 24/7 plumber.
Call the emergency line now.