There’s always water at the town wharves. The problem is that some of it is in the wrong place.

Harbormaster Jill Simmons recently received a water bill for $13,524, which she says is more than double the four previous years’ water usage fees combined. The pricey bill was the result of at least one leak in pipes under the wharf.

On Tuesday, Simmons requested an abatement from the Water and Sewer Commission.

“I’m wondering why we’re talking about the town wharves, which are used by the entire town … why it’s even considered that something that is town property somehow I am responsible for maintaining that and repairing that,” said Simmons. “I reject that notion completely. I am extremely vigilant.”

The harbormaster, who’s first day on the job was Sept. 1, 2013, said the problem preceded her and she didn't know where the meter box was located. Simmons also said she called to have the water turned on at the wharves around the beginning of April and was told there was a leak.

“A few weeks later there was water on the dock. I assumed the leak had been repaired,” she said.

That turned out not to be the case, and a sink hole developed near Short Wharf that was repaired by the Highway and Water Departments. It reappeared six days later, said Simmons.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Nick Nicholson said the leak was due to copper pipes.

“Copper and salt water just don’t mix,” said Nicholson. “The pipe we took out looked like a piece of Swiss cheese.”

Nicholson also said Simmons would have had no way of monitoring the meter as the box is locked in a cabinet.

“She had no ability to see what was going on there. My suggestion would be to go ahead and make an adjustment to the four-year average,” Nicholson said.

The commission members agreed unanimously to give the Harbormaster’s Department an abatement and adjust the bill.

Despite the vote and the repairs to the leak, Simmons said there is still a significant problem somewhere on the wharf, with a steady 100 to 150 gallons of water per hour. She has turned off the water to stop the flood until repairs can be made.

Regarding any repairs, Simmons questioned if it was her department's responsibility to pay for something in an area used by the whole town.

“The wharves are the central point of this town. To me, it’s town property. We’re the custodians of it perhaps,” she said.

Bill Hubbard, a member of the commission, said each department should pay for repairs on its land.

“This sounds like a topic for a Selectmen’s meeting,” said Chair Dan Chase.