GCWW contractor bonds.
$100 flat.
Greater Cincinnati Water Works requires a $10,000 contractor bond before you perform large-branch (4-inch and up) and fire-branch work on its public water system. Ours is $100 flat — set by our carrier's rate book for this bond, identical for every contractor. The bond issues the moment you pay — no credit check.
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How much does a GCWW contractor bond cost?
$100 at the $10,000 amount, the same for every applicant.
Three steps. One sitting.
Water works contractor bonds are simple. Here's the entire process:
Apply online
Business details and an effective date. That is the application. No credit check.
Pay & e-sign
Bonds like this are among the thousands of bond types that issue right after purchase.
Deliver to GCWW Engineering
Your executed bond arrives by email, ready to deliver to the GCWW engineering counter at 4747 Spring Grove Ave. Wet-ink original mailed on request.
What it is and who needs it.
What the bond actually guarantees
Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) is the regional public water utility operated by the City of Cincinnati. Before a contractor performs work that connects to or affects the public water system — large branch (4-inch and larger) and all fire branches — GCWW requires a $10,000 contractor bond on file with its Engineering division.
It's a three-party arrangement: you (the principal), the surety carrier, and Greater Cincinnati Water Works (the obligee). The bond backs your compliance with GCWW's water service branch and meter procedures and your responsibility to restore and protect the public water system after your work.
It is not insurance for you — if the surety pays a claim, you repay the surety. Contractors who follow GCWW procedures and restore the work area properly treat the bond as a permitting formality.
You need this bond if you are
Claims, renewal, filing, and what sets the price.
If a claim is made
A claim comes from the party the bond protects, the obligee named on the form, when the duty the bond guarantees is not met.
The surety investigates and pays a valid claim, up to the $10,000 bond amount. You then repay the surety: a surety bond is a guarantee of your performance, not insurance for you.
Renewal and term
The bond runs to December 31 whatever day you buy; the premium covers the period to that date.
Renewal falls on the statutory date, December 31, in the year your term ends.
Renew before the expiry date to keep the bond in force: the license, permit or contract it backs expects continuous coverage.
How to file it
Deliver to GCWW Engineering. Your executed bond arrives by email, ready to deliver to the GCWW engineering counter at 4747 Spring Grove Ave. Wet-ink original mailed on request.
What sets the price
The premium is fixed at $100 at the $10,000 amount for every applicant: the carrier’s rate book prices this bond by the form, not by your credit or your business profile.
No credit check.
One application, issued instantly.
These are the actual issuing fields. No credit check.
Start the application →Common questions.
Other Ohio bonds.
Been told you need a different amount?
Price and requirements checked on the carrier’s application, . Page updated .
Get on the GCWW system today.
$100 flat, no credit check, bond often issued in the same sitting. Free until issued.