Making Payments to the Tampa Water Department – A Quick and Easy Guide

Paying your water bill to the Tampa Water Department doesn’t have to be a hassle. With multiple payment options and ways to track your usage, you can easily stay on top of your payments. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about paying your Tampa water bill.

Overview of the Tampa Water Department

The Tampa Water Department provides water services to residents and businesses within the city limits of Tampa, FL. They supply clean drinking water to over 300,000 customers across a service area of 118 square miles.

The department operates a 120 million gallon per day surface water treatment plant that draws water from the Hillsborough River. They also maintain over 3000 miles of water mains, 25 water pumping stations, and 29 water storage tanks and reservoirs

Customers are billed monthly for their water usage The department offers multiple payment options to suit different needs and preferences.

Understanding Your Tampa Water Bill

Your monthly Tampa water bill contains important information about your account and water usage. Key sections include:

• Account information: This shows your account number, billing date, and service address.

• Meter readings: Lists your previous and current meter readings for the billing period. This shows how much water you used.

• Consumption history: A graph shows your daily average consumption for the last 13 months. This helps you identify usage patterns.

• Charges: Breaks down the water service, sewer, trash, and other charges. Taxes and fees are also listed.

• Payment stub: Detach this portion with your payment.

• Messages: Important notifications about your account or service.

• Usage graph: Visual graph of your monthly and daily consumption.

Closely reviewing your bill can help you understand your usage and make changes to reduce your costs if needed.

Ways to Pay Your Tampa Water Bill

The Tampa Water Department offers many options to pay your bill conveniently. Choose the payment method that best matches your needs:

• Online – Pay instantly on the department’s website using credit/debit card or electronic check. You can also setup recurring payments.

• By phone – Call the payment line anytime to pay with credit/debit card or electronic check.

• In person – Bring your payment stub to one of two walk-in customer service centers. You can pay with cash, check, or money order.

• By mail – Detach payment stub from bill and mail with check or money order. Allow 5-7 days for processing.

• Drop box – Place your payment in one of two secure drop boxes. One is a drive-thru location.

• Automatic bank draft – Setup recurring payments directly from your checking account.

• Third-party bill pay – Use your bank or third-party biller like doxo to pay on your behalf.

Choose the most convenient option for your needs. Online and phone payments allow fast and easy payments 24/7. Automatic and third-party payments help ensure your bill is paid on time each month.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you’re having trouble paying your water bill, the Tampa Water Department offers two assistance programs:

• Payment extensions – Get an additional 14 days to pay your bill and avoid late fees or disconnection. You can request extensions online or by phone.

• Payment plans – Set up a monthly payment plan to pay past due balances over time. Plans can range from 2 to 24 months. A downpayment is required.

Contact the department before your bill is past due to enroll in these programs. Low income customers may also qualify for discounted utility rates.

Tips for Reducing Your Water Bill

If your water bills seem high, there are things you can do to reduce your costs:

• Monitor your consumption with the usage graph on your bill and department’s online portal. Look for spikes that indicate leaks.

• Check your home for leaks and dripping faucets. Fixing leaks can significantly reduce usage.

• Replace old plumbing fixtures with water-efficient models.

• Adjust sprinkler timers and irrigation schedules to water only when necessary.

• Take shorter showers and turn water off when brushing teeth or shaving.

• Run full loads in washing machine and dishwasher.

• Check for rebates on water-saving devices like smart irrigation controllers.

With some adjustments, you may be able to cut your bill substantially. The department’s website also offers water conservation tips.

Enrolling for Electronic Billing

You can enroll to receive your Tampa water bill electronically by email. This allows fast delivery, avoids mail delays, and reduces paper waste.

To signup, register for an account on the department’s online portal. Once your account is created, you can opt-in to paperless billing.

You’ll receive an email when your new bill is ready to view. You can then pay, print, or download your PDF bill from the portal at any time.

Going paperless helps you efficiently manage your Tampa water account. Your payment options remain the same if you switch to e-bills.

Stay On Top of Your Payments

Paying your water bill doesn’t need to be a chore. The Tampa Water Department offers a variety of payment methods to choose from. Monitoring your usage closely can help you control costs. Reaching out for assistance when needed can help avoid service disruptions.

With multiple options for paying online, by phone, or by mail, paying your bill is quick and easy. Sign up for electronic billing to simplify your payments further. Take advantage of the available tools and resources to successfully manage your Tampa water account.