How to Pay Your Water Bill in Lafayette, Indiana

Paying your water bill is an essential responsibility for all residents and businesses in Lafayette, Indiana. The city’s Utility Billing Office handles water billing and provides several convenient payment options. By understanding how to read your bill and the various ways to pay it, you can easily keep your water services operating smoothly.

Receiving and Reading Your Water Bill

The Utility Billing Office issues over 375,000 water bills per year to its 29,000+ customers. Residential customers receive bills monthly, while commercial accounts are billed bi-monthly.

When you receive your water bill, it’s important to review it carefully. Here are some key sections to look for:

• Account information This top section displays your account number, billing date, amount due, and due date Make sure all the details are correct

• Consumption history: This chart shows your water usage in gallons for the last 12 months so you can identify any spikes or drops.

• Current charges: This breakdown shows your total charges for water, sewer, stormwater, and any other fees.

• Message center: Important notifications from the utility are printed here, such as rate changes, service disruptions, or account issues.

• Payment stub The bottom section contains your payment details Detach and mail this part with your payment

If you ever have trouble understanding your bill, the Utility Billing Office’s website has a helpful guide for reading it correctly.

Payment Options

The Utility Billing Office offers several convenient payment options to fit your needs:

Pay Online

The fastest way to pay is through the Utility Billing Office website. You can make one-time payments or set up recurring automatic payments. Registration is required the first time you use the online portal.

Pay By Phone

Call the payment line at 833-252-1659 and follow the prompts to pay with your credit/debit card. Have your account number ready.

Pay by Mail

Detach the payment stub from your bill and mail it with a check or money order to the address printed on your statement. Allow 3-5 days for processing.

Pay in Person

Bring your payment to the Utility Billing Office at 20 N 6th Street during business hours. A 24-hour drop box is also available outside the building.

Automatic Bank Draft

Authorize the utility to automatically withdraw funds from your bank account each month to pay your bill. Sign up online or submit a form and voided check.

Budget Billing

This program averages your payments over 12 months to even out seasonal highs and lows in your water usage. Call the Utility Billing Office to enroll.

Emergency Rental Assistance

Qualified low-income households can receive help paying past-due water bills through this state program. Visit their website to apply.

When to Pay Your Bill

Water bills are due 15 days after the billing date printed on your statement. A 10% penalty is added to balances not paid after the due date.

If your payment is late, it’s important to pay the outstanding balance as soon as possible to avoid additional penalties or service disruption. The Utility Billing Office will assess a $24 reconnection fee if your water is shut off.

Sign up for email bill reminders through the Utility Billing Office website to help avoid missing a payment. Monitoring your monthly water usage can also help you anticipate charges and budget accordingly.

Getting Help with Your Water Bill

If you’re struggling to keep up with your water payments, contact the Utility Billing Office right away. They can often make payment arrangements or connect you with assistance programs.

Here are some resources in Lafayette for water bill help:

• City of Lafayette Payment Plans – Set up a customized payment schedule for past-due balances.

• LifeEssentials Utility Assistance – Provides aid paying water/sewer bills for qualified applicants.

• Salvation Army – Offers limited emergency utility bill funding.

• St. Vincent de Paul – May cover water bills on occasion for households in need.

The Utility Billing Office also has brochures on water conservation tips that can help lower your monthly usage and bills. Simple fixes like fixing leaks or installing low-flow fixtures go a long way.

Paying your water bill on time is an important responsibility. Fortunately, Lafayette’s Utility Billing Office offers a range of payment options and assistance programs to make it easier. By budgeting carefully, monitoring your usage, and utilizing available resources, you can keep your account in good standing.