Meetings and Events
The Lewes BPW is responsible for keeping our city connected through the services we provide. We are committed to provide exceptional service in all four departments: electric, water, wastewater, and storm water. The ratepayers are an important part of that process and we invite you to join our meetings and events. The BPW values your input!
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FAQs
Call the Lewes BPW at: 302-645-6228 or email us: Contact us
City Taxes, Building Permits, Business Licenses, Parking Meters, Trash Cans and Trash Removal, Recycling and Yard Waste, Street Cleaning, City Sidewalks and Road Repairs/Maintenance and Snow Removal. The phone number for the City of Lewes is 302-645-7777.
Yes, the City of Lewes, per the enactment of the BPW Charter approved in 2010 pays for all utility services.
In fiscal year 2021/2022, the BPW paid the City of Lewes $737,395 in “payment in lieu of franchise fees”.
Yes, the City of Lewes currently receives 5% of the gross revenues from the BPW in the form of “payment in lieu of franchise fees”. In 2010 the Delaware State Legislature approved “AN ACT TO REINCORPORATE THE CHARTER OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS OF THE CITY OF LEWES” It states: The BPW shall pay to the City a minimum of two percent (2%) to a maximum of five percent (5%) of the monthly adjusted revenues for utility services (gross revenues for utility services less adjustments made to customer accounts), in lieu of franchise fees, no later than thirty (30) days after the utility bills are mailed to customers each month. The City shall pay monthly out of the general fund of the City to the BPW for utility services, including street lighting, such sum as the BPW may prescribe by tariff.
Thomas Panetta, President; Earl Webb, Vice President; D. Preston Lee, Secretary; Richard Nichols, Treasurer and A. Thomas Owen, Assistant Treasurer. The monthly Board meeting are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month at City Hall council chambers 114 E. Third Street. To leave a message for the Board Members please contact the business office at 302-645-6228.
The BPW processes all wastewater at the Howard Seymour Water Reclamation Plant of the City of Lewes. For more information on the Howard Seymour Water Reclamation Plant, read our information paper: wastewater-treatment-plant
The operation of the University of Delaware wind turbine has a negligible effect on BPW customer electric utility rates. For more information on the the University of Delaware Turbine, read our information paper: university-of-delaware-turbine
BPW Customers can arrange to have a water meter installed on their property for irrigation. There is a charge for the installation of the meter and a monthly “Ready to Serve” charge applies to the new meter. Savings are realized by avoiding sewer charges on the irrigation consumption. For more information on the irrigation meters, read our information paper: Irrigation Meter updated 2019
The “Ready to Serve” fee is charged whether or not electric, water or sewer is used by the resident to cover maintenance of the systems supporting customers and fixed business costs associated with management of the utility. For more information on the “Ready to Serve Charge”, read our information paper: 2019 Ready to Serve charge
Not only is hydrant flushing one of the most important maintenance practices that can be performed on a water distribution system, it allows us to check for any leaks as well as the condition of the valves. Also, it helps to flush out corrosion and rust. This important practice is done in the Fall and Spring, which is posted on the BPW’s website. For more information on fire hydrants flushing, read our information paper: fire-hydrant-flushing
The BPW charges its customers a Storm Water charge to maintain the storm water infrastructure and manage its effects for the greater good of the community. The Stormwater Fee is charged to every customer of the BPW to pay for the stormwater system that protects us all during precipitation events. For more information on Storm Water Charges, read our information paper: storm-water-charge-catch-basin
The BPW has determined that funds are required to maintain the stormwater system and plan for future improvements and public safety. The Storm Water Fee covers maintenance to keep the storm water pipes open throughout the service area and ensures that major road arteries are kept open in time of rain events for the “greater good of the community”. This fee only meets current operational and maintenance needs for the backbone system. For more information on Storm Water Charges, read our information paper: storm-water-charge
The BPW has a responsibility to maintain the equipment used to service its customers. The BPW typically does tree-trimming in the late fall/winter months so that the branches in need of trimming are most visible. Vegetation removal is done year round on an as needed basis. When conducting these trimming operations, the BPW works hard to strike a balance between respecting private property and public safety. For more information on tree trimming and vegetation removal, read our information paper: tree-trimming
The BPW electric rates were the lowest in the State of Delaware (July 1, 2012). This rate comparison included the Lewes BPW “Ready to Serve” charge and associated tariffs for the other utility providers.
We at the BPW are always working to provide fair rates to our customers. A word of caution is appropriate when attempting to compare Lewes BPW rates with other cities: the comparison made between the Lewes BPW and any other utility will always be an apple-to-oranges comparison since no two utilities are identical in all business factors (population served, debt, seasonality of customer usage, age of infrastructure, etc.).
Call the Lewes BPW at 302-645-6228 and a representative from our Message Service Center will be available to assist you and will contact the BPW Employee on call.
Call the Lewes BPW at 302-645-6228
