Bowie Water: City of Bowie or WSSC, Bills and Brown Water
Who supplies your water in Bowie, which neighborhoods are on the City’s system, how City water bills are figured, and what to do when the tap runs brown. Checked against City of Bowie pages, October 2026.
Own a home in Bowie? Know what it would sell for.
Bowie homes are taking almost twice as long to sell as last year, 21 days instead of 12, so the starting price matters more than it used to. Bruno will send you a written value range built from the closest recent sales near you. No obligation.
Get my value rangeMoving to Bowie on military orders?Neighborhoods on City of Bowie water
According to the City, its water system serves:
- Bowie Forest, Buckingham, Chapel Forge, Derbyshire, Foxhill, Glenridge, Gradys Walk, Heather Hills, Idlewild, Kenilworth
- Longridge, Meadowbrook, Overbrook, Rockledge, Somerset, Tulip Grove, Victoria Heights, Whitehall and Yorktown
- Forest Drive (water only), plus the Hilltop and Market Place shopping centers
The rest of the City, and everything outside City limits, is served by WSSC Water. The City’s system generally doesn’t expand into new developments. Buying in one of these sections? Ask the seller for a recent water bill so you know what to expect.
How a City of Bowie water bill adds up
The City bills water and sewer every three months. The charges the City listed in October 2026:
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Facility charge | $30 per quarter |
| Usage (water $7.82 plus sewer $11.22) | $19.04 per 1,000 gallons |
| Pipe renewal and replacement | $23.44 per quarter |
| Bay Restoration Fee (passed to the State) | $15 per quarter |
| New account: customer service charge, plus an advance applied to your final bill | $50 each |
Example only: a household that uses 15,000 gallons in a quarter would pay about $354 for those three months ($30 + $285.60 + $23.44 + $15). Your usage will differ. The City’s rate page has shown more than one effective date, so confirm current rates with City water billing at 301-809-3016.
Brown or discolored water: what’s going on
- The usual cause: iron particles from aging cast iron pipes, stirred up by a nearby main break, hydrant use or the City’s flushing program.
- Is it harmful? The City says the iron isn’t harmful to health and that its testing found nothing known to be harmful. Results are in its annual drinking water quality report. It can stain laundry, though.
- What to do: it usually clears in one to two days. Keep stained laundry wet, then rewash it with rust remover once the water runs clear. The City gives out rust remover at City Hall.
- Who to call: Public Works at 301-809-2344 (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). After hours or for a main break, call the Bowie Police call center at 240-544-5700.
- The long-term fix: a 12-year pipe replacement plan adopted in the FY 2018 budget, about $14 million, paid for by a customer fee and a loan. The Kenilworth water main phase is underway.
WSSC Water customers
If you’re not in one of the neighborhoods above, WSSC Water handles your service, billing and repairs. Set up or transfer your account at wsscwater.com before closing so service carries over. For electric, gas and the rest, see the Bowie utilities guide.
Email me my street’s sold report
Tell us your street and Bruno will email you what homes on and around it actually sold for, from Bright MLS closed sales, with what each one had going for it. No obligation.
Common questions
Who is the water company in Bowie, MD?
It depends on the street. The City of Bowie supplies water to about 7,900 customers in older neighborhoods such as Kenilworth, Tulip Grove, Somerset and Yorktown. The rest of the Bowie area is served by WSSC Water.
How do I know if my house has City of Bowie water?
Check the City’s list of water service neighborhoods, which includes Bowie Forest, Buckingham, Chapel Forge, Foxhill, Heather Hills, Kenilworth, Meadowbrook, Overbrook, Rockledge, Somerset, Tulip Grove, Whitehall and Yorktown, among others. Or call City water billing at 301-809-3016.
How often is the City of Bowie water bill?
Every three months. The bill includes a quarterly facility charge, a usage charge per 1,000 gallons for water and sewer, a pipe renewal charge and the State’s Bay Restoration Fee.
Why is my water brown in Bowie?
Usually iron from aging cast iron pipes, stirred up by a main break, hydrant use or flushing. The City says it isn’t harmful to health, and it normally clears within one to two days. Report ongoing problems to Public Works at 301-809-2344.
How do I start City of Bowie water service after buying a home?
Set up a water and sewer account with the City’s Finance Department at 301-809-3016. New accounts pay a $50 customer service charge and a $50 advance that’s applied to the final bill.
Buying in Bowie?
Bruno can tell you who supplies water to any house you’re looking at, and pull the seller’s recent bills so there are no surprises. Call or text (240) 418-3809, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.