The Chatham provides reliable water supply and wastewater services exclusively to all residents and businesses within the Town limits, and extends service to a large part of central Pittsylvania County externally.
Within the Town water system, Chatham’s Department of Public Works handles routine operations such as meter reading, new service connections and infrastructure setup (see Town Tap Fee Application at end), customer support for inquiries, leak detection, and ongoing maintenance including hydrant flushing, line replacement, and emergency repairs.
The Town Hall provides quarterly billing based on water usage (with a minimum charge), handles customer water and sewer billing inquiries, and addresses billing disputes.
The Town posts notices on its website and on Facebook about routine activities (such as hydrant flushing), repairs, line breaks, or any other service updates. Contact the Public Works Director for questions, concerns, service requests, or assistance. Connect through the Town website contact form or by visiting Town Hall during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). For water or sewer emergencies outside those hours, call Pittsylvania County Dispatch at 434-432-7931.
Town Water System
The Town follows Virginia state regulations to protect its water supply. The Town maintains a Cross Connection Control Policy that requires backflow prevention devices on certain properties (for example, those with irrigation systems or other potential contamination sources). Owners must install and maintain these devices as needed to prevent contaminants from entering the public drinking water supply via backflow.
The Town Charter further authorizes these regulations to protect water purity, prevent pollution, and ensure proper system use. Staying informed via the Town messaging and reporting issues promptly helps the department maintain safe, reliable service for everyone.
EyeOnWater Monitoring
Chatham water customers have access to a helpful tool for managing their water use. The free EyeOnWater online/mobile app lets users monitor their water usage in real time, set personalized notification limits, and receive alerts for unusual activity. This app is located on the App Store for iPhone or the Play Store for Android. The free app is supported by Badger meter.
Town Sewer System
The Code of Ordinances (Title 13 – Sewers, Chapter 13.04 – Sewer Service System) sets clear rules that protect both the public sewer system and public health. Were public sewer service is available—especially in residential areas—properties must connect to it. Private sewage disposal methods (such as septic tanks or cesspools) are generally not allowed in residential locations. Property owners are fully responsible for the proper installation, connection, and ongoing maintenance of their sewer lines (the service laterals running from the home or business to the public main).
Strict prohibitions safeguard the sewer system. Discharges of harmful chemicals, excessive grease, stormwater or surface water into sanitary sewers, or any materials that could clog, corrode, damage, or interfere with wastewater treatment are forbidden. Certain commercial or industrial users may need to pretreat wastewater before discharge into the system. The Town has authority to inspect properties and enforce these rules.