Key takeaway
Eversource provides electricity and natural gas in Ashland. Water and sewer are run by the town's DPW Water and Sewer Division: drinking water comes from town wells backed up by an MWRA connection, and wastewater goes through Framingham into the MWRA system. Curbside trash and recycling are handled by WM under a town contract. Electricity supply can come from Eversource, the Ashland Community Choice program or a supplier you choose.
Who this is for: people moving to Ashland, new homeowners and anyone who wants a quick guide to who handles each utility in town.
Ashland's utilities are mostly a mix of Eversource and the town. A couple of details surprise newcomers, like how the town's water supply connects to the MWRA and the fact that the town's electricity program is one of the oldest in the state. Here's the full picture.
Ashland Utility Providers
| Utility | Who provides it | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Power lines and outages | Eversource | 1-800-592-2000 |
| The electricity itself | Your choice: Eversource, the town program or a licensed supplier | Listed in the supply section of your bill |
| Natural gas | Eversource | Smell gas? Leave first, call 911 outside |
| Water | Ashland DPW Water and Sewer Division | Town wells plus MWRA supply |
| Sewer | Ashland DPW, connected to the MWRA | Billed quarterly with water |
| Trash and recycling | WM, under town contract | Missed pickup: 508-532-7943 |
Electricity in Ashland
All of Ashland is served by Eversource, which maintains the lines, handles outages and sends the monthly bill. That bill has a delivery section, always Eversource, and a supply section for the electricity itself.
Never picked a supplier? Then your power comes from the town program or Eversource basic service, which for homes costs 17.32 cents per kWh (as of November 2026) for the August 2026 through January 2027 period and changes every February and August.
Ashland Community Choice Power Supply Program
Ashland was one of the first communities in Massachusetts to buy electricity in bulk for its residents. Through the Ashland Community Choice Power Supply Program, the town chooses a supplier through competitive bidding, and Eversource continues to deliver power and send the bill. Eligible customers on basic service are enrolled automatically unless they opt out. In past contracts, a small part of the program rate helped fund the town's sustainability coordinator position.
Rates change with each new contract and aren't guaranteed to beat basic service every month. To join or leave, contact the program's administrator, Colonial Power Group, at 866-485-5858, ext. 1.
Natural Gas in Ashland
Eversource also supplies natural gas in Ashland where gas lines run. Some homes use oil, propane or heat pumps instead. When buying, ask what the house heats with and how old the equipment is. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the house and call 911 from outside.
Water and Sewer in Ashland
The Ashland DPW's Water and Sewer Division, based at 20 Ponderosa Road (508-881-0120), runs both systems. Ashland draws its drinking water from town wells and, since 2022, also has a connection to the MWRA through Southborough to supplement its supply. Wastewater flows through Framingham into the MWRA system for treatment at Deer Island in Boston.
Water and sewer are billed together every quarter, based on how much water you use. New water meters must be inspected by the department before they're activated.
Trash and Recycling in Ashland
WM handles Ashland's curbside trash and recycling under a contract with the town. Pickups run Tuesday through Friday, so a Monday holiday doesn't change your day. If your carts were out on time and didn't get emptied, call the town at 508-532-7943. The DPW's rubbish and recycling office handles questions about the program.
Setting Up Utilities When You Move to Ashland
- Electric: open an Eversource account starting on your move-in date.
- Gas: if the home has natural gas, start service with Eversource. Otherwise, set up oil or propane delivery.
- Water and sewer: call the DPW at 508-881-0120 to switch the account over and set up a closing meter read.
- Trash: confirm your collection day and that the carts stay with the house.
- Alerts: sign up for the town's CodeRED emergency notifications.
Lowering Your Electric Bill in Ashland
Electricity is the bill that changes the most, and it's a big part of the cost of living in Ashland. A Mass Save home energy assessment is a smart first step, since it finds energy leaks and the rebates to fix them. Many homeowners then add solar panels to their Ashland home to make their own electricity and depend less on Eversource's rate.
Want a smaller Eversource bill?
With family ties to Ashland and more than 1,000 happy customers behind him, Mark Featherstone knows how solar works for homes like yours. Give him your address for a straight look at what solar could save.
Mark, run my numbers!FAQs About Utilities in Ashland
Who provides electricity in Ashland, MA?
Eversource delivers electricity to all of Ashland. Your supply can come from Eversource, the Ashland Community Choice program or a licensed supplier.
Where does Ashland's water come from?
From town wells, with a supplemental connection to the MWRA that opened in 2022. The Ashland DPW Water and Sewer Division runs the system.
Who picks up trash in Ashland?
WM collects curbside trash and recycling under a town contract, Tuesday through Friday. Report a missed pickup to the town at 508-532-7943.
How do I opt out of Ashland's electricity program?
Contact Colonial Power Group at 866-485-5858, ext. 1, or use the opt-out form on its Ashland program page.
Who do I call during a power outage in Ashland?
Eversource handles every outage in town. Call 1-800-592-2000 or use the app, and dial 911 for wires on the ground.
About Mark Featherstone
Mark has been in solar for 14+ years, working at some of the biggest solar companies in the country, before co-founding Your World Solutions. His goal is simple: help homeowners get into solar deals that actually work for them, and make sure they understand every part of it before they sign.