By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Oct. 1, 2026) Berlin government is offering payment plans to about 20 property owners whose water consumption exceeds the amount the municipality allocated to them.

The Town Council this week approved a policy that gives property owners exceeding their water allocation a way to come into compliance without paying the full cost for the amount used—at least not right away.

Water allocations are measured in “Equivalent Dwelling Units,” or EDUs. EDUs are based on the average water use of a single-family residence, where one EDU represents an average of 250 gallons per day of use.

When a new business opens in Berlin, the town conducts a 24-month monitoring period to determine whether it needs more EDUs. A two-year review of various businesses found that about 20 will need to buy additional water capacity to maintain current operating levels.

A policy discussed by the mayor and Town Council last month and approved this week gives these owners the option to pay 10% of their bill upfront with an additional 5% administrative fee and finance the remainder of the cost over 24 months for one to three new EDUs or up to 60 months for four or more EDUs.

The provision follows the installation of smart meters. Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said the higher-tech devices have made it easier to identify properties where the actual water consumption surpasses current EDU allocation.

To bring these properties back into compliance, the town is requiring them to purchase additional EDUs to guarantee that records reflect the actual water and sewer capacity used.

Officials said at a meeting last month that while some properties will need to purchase only one or two more EDUs, others will require a much more expensive upgrade. Each EDU costs $17,000.

Tyndall said the bill for the highest user, a healthcare institution, comes to about $400,000.

Recognizing the steep cost of buying additional EDUs, the municipality is offering financing options to these property owners.

Berlin Town Council approved the financing policy at its meeting Monday night.

Although the provision was created to address the 20 identified property owners exceeding their water usage, Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said if others come forward looking to take advantage of the policy, town officials will review each request on a case-by-case basis.

In the meantime, the 20 owners already identified will be receiving letters from the town advising them of the policy.