Paying your water bill is an essential part of being a Minneapolis resident. The City of Minneapolis provides water services to around 400,000 residents across the city. As a customer, it’s important to understand how to pay your Minneapolis water bill so you can avoid late fees or service disruptions. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about paying your Minneapolis water bill.
Overview of Minneapolis Water Billing
The City of Minneapolis Utility Billing department handles water, sewer, solid waste, and stormwater services for residential and commercial customers. They bill customers monthly and provide several payment options to fit individual needs and preferences.
When you first establish water service with the city, you’ll need to set up an account with Utility Billing and provide your contact information. Each month you’ll receive a bill for your water usage and related utility services. This will include details on the current charges owed as well as your payment history
It’s important to pay your bill in full each month before the due date to avoid penalties. Utility Billing offers several ways to pay from the convenience of your home as well as in person. They also have programs and resources to assist customers who may be facing financial hardship.
Understanding Your Minneapolis Water Bill
Before paying your water bill it helps to understand exactly what charges it includes. Your monthly bill has several sections
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Account Summary This shows your previous balance, any payments made, the total of your new charges, and the total amount due for the current month. It will also note if your account is past due.
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Utility Charges: Here you’ll see a breakdown of the new charges for the month. This includes water usage, stormwater, solid waste/recycling, and sewer charges.
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Water Usage History: A graph shows your water usage for the past 18 months so you can identify spikes or drops.
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Messages: Important notifications about your account will be printed here.
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Payment Stub: This detachable section contains your account number, total due, and due date. Use it when paying by mail or in person.
Carefully reviewing the details on your bill each month can help you understand the charges and make sure there aren’t any errors. Be sure to note your account number and total amount owed for payment.
When Minneapolis Water Bills Are Due
Minneapolis water bills are issued monthly and are typically due around the 10th to 15th of each month. However, the exact due date can vary from month to month and will be printed clearly on your bill.
If you don’t pay the total amount owed by the due date, late fees will be assessed. A 10% penalty is added if payment is received after the due date. Failure to pay after multiple notices can result in water service being shut off.
To avoid late fees, make sure to note each month’s due date and pay accordingly. Setting up automatic bill pay through your bank is an easy option to ensure on-time payment.
Paying Your Minneapolis Water Bill Online
The fastest and most convenient way to pay your water bill is through the City of Minneapolis online payment system. To use this option, you’ll first need to set up an online account with Utility Billing. Here’s how it works:
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Click “Register” to create a new online account.
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Enter your account number, name, email address, and create a password.
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Check your email for a verification link to complete registration.
Once your online account is activated, you can log in anytime to view your balance and make a payment. The online system accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. You can also store your payment information for easier auto-pay setup.
Paying Your Water Bill by Phone
Utility Billing offers a 24-hour automated phone payment system. To use this method:
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Call 612-348-BILL (2455)
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Enter your Minneapolis water account number.
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Follow the prompts to enter your payment information using your phone keypad.
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Confirm the amount you wish to pay.
This automated system uses the same credit/debit card options available for online payments. You can also use it to check your current account balance.
Paying Your Water Bill by Mail
To pay by mail, simply detach the payment stub from your paper bill and enclose it along with a check or money order for the amount due. Make your check payable to “City of Minneapolis Utilities” and mail to:
Minneapolis Utility Billing
PO Box 77028
Minneapolis, MN 55480-7728
Be sure to allow enough time for your mailed payment to reach Utility Billing before the due date to avoid late penalties. Expect mailing time of about 5 business days.
Paying Your Water Bill in Person
For in-person payments, you can visit the Utility Billing office located at:
Minneapolis Public Service Building
505 4th Ave S, Room 620B
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM, excluding city holidays. At the Utility Billing office you can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. You will need to present your payment stub or know your account number.
Setting Up Auto Pay for Your Water Bill
To simplify water bill payment, consider enrolling in auto pay through Utility Billing’s online account system. This automatically deducts the amount due from your credit/debit card or bank account each month.
To start, login to your online account and select “My Profile”. Choose “Manage AutoPay Accounts” to enter your payment information. Be sure to check the box confirming enrollment in auto pay for your account. Going forward, your bill will be paid on time without the need to take manual action each month.
Getting Help Paying Your Minneapolis Water Bill
If you’re having trouble paying your Minneapolis water bill, it’s important to contact Utility Billing right away to discuss options. Here are some resources available:
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Payment plans: For customers struggling to pay their balance, Utility Billing may create a monthly payment plan to pay down past due amounts over time. An initial payment is required when the plan is established.
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Temporary discount: Those facing an emergency financial crisis can apply for a 30% discount on their water bill for a 6 month period. Strict eligibility requirements apply.
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Water affordability programs: Minneapolis offers programs providing water bill discounts or plumbing repair assistance for low-income residents and seniors. Visit https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/utility-billing/ for details on qualification and applications.
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Energy assistance: If you qualify for state or federal heating assistance, you may also be eligible for help paying your water bill through CEAP. Contact CEAP at 612-596-1300 to learn more.
Don’t hesitate to call Utility Billing at 612-673-1114 if you anticipate difficulty paying your upcoming bill. They’ll work with you to find the best solution and avoid shut offs.
Avoiding Costly Water Bill Issues
To keep your water bill costs in check, be proactive in monitoring usage and avoiding common issues like leaks. Here are some tips:
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Track your monthly usage and look for spikes that may indicate leaks.
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Regularly check faucets, showerheads, and toilets for drips or leaks. Even a minor leak can waste hundreds of gallons per month.
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Replace old fixtures like showerheads and faucet aerators with low-flow models to reduce water waste.
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Limit activity like lawn watering, car washing, etc during peak hours when rates are highest.
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Enroll in paperless billing to save money on printing/postage fees.
Being proactive allows you to address problems early before they create major spikes in your monthly water bill.
Understanding Minneapolis Water Rates and Fees
As a public utility, Minneapolis water rates are set by the City Council based on the true costs of providing safe, reliable drinking water to the community. Rates are adjusted periodically when costs rise for treatment chemicals, system upgrades, etc.
There are several components that make up your monthly water charges:
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Water usage: This is charged at a tiered per gallon rate based on actual use. Rates increase at higher usage tiers to encourage conservation.
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Service charge: A fixed monthly fee helps cover operational costs like meter reading, billing, customer service, etc.
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Sewer charges: Based on your water usage since the sewer system handles wastewater.
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Stormwater charges: Helps fund street cleaning, pipe maintenance and other stormwater management services.
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Solid waste/recycling: Covers costs for trash collection and recycling programs.
Understanding what goes into your rates helps you better manage your bill. Details on current Minneapolis water rates are available on the [Utility Billing website](https://www.min
With your bank’s bill pay
Your bank may have an online bill pay service that you can use to make one-time payments or recurring automatic payments.
To sign up, youll need:
- Account number from your utility bill
- The Citys utility billing phone number and address from the monthly statement payment coupon
If you move to another property in Minneapolis, be sure to update your utility account number in your banks bill pay system.
Write check payments to Minneapolis Finance Department . Please write the account number from your utility bill on the check.
Mail your check to the Minneapolis Finance Department.
Pay your bill in person at the Minneapolis Service Center.
Help paying your utility bill If you cannot afford your utility bill, learn about resources available to help you.
Pay your bill online with a credit card or from your bank account. We offer two payment portal options:
Standard Access – Use your utility account number or address to see your amount due and make a one-time payment. You do not need to be a registered user.
Premium Access – Access more features and set up recurring automatic payments. Youll need to register for an account if you havent already.
To create an account, youll need:
- Account number from your utility bill
- Mailing address and ZIP code
- Phone number associated with your account
Make a payment by phone at 612-673-1114, option 2.
To pay by credit card, youll need:
- Account number from your utility bill
- Credit card number
- Expiration date
- CVC number (security number on the back of the card)
- Credit card billing address ZIP code
For bank account payments, youll need:
- Account number from your utility bill
- Bank account number
- Bank routing number (find this at the bottom of your checks or in your accounts online information)
Youll receive a payment confirmation number at the end of the call.
You can pay your utility bill in cash at select retail stores by creating an EZ-Payslip. Create an EZ-Payslip once, then use it anytime. This is a free service.
To create an account, youll need:
- Account number from your utility bill
- Street number of your address (this goes in the “Premise Number” field)
Use EZ-Pay at stores including:
- CVS
- Family Dollar Store
- Ace Cash Express
- Casey’s
There is money available to help pay your utility bills. Here is how you can apply
How do I pay my utility bill in Minneapolis?
If you move to another property in Minneapolis, be sure to update your utility account number in your bank’s bill pay system. Write check payments to Minneapolis Finance Department . Please write the account number from your utility bill on the check. Mail your check to the Minneapolis Finance Department .
Do you have more than one utility billing account in Minneapolis?
If you own more than one property in Minneapolis, you likely have more than one utility billing account. Instead of mailing separate bills for each account, we can combine all your accounts onto one master bill. Then you’ll have just one bill and one due date to keep track of every month.
Does Minneapolis have a water provider?
Minneapolis has multiple water providers: Minneapolis Water and St. Anthony Water. This page provides information about Minneapolis Water. The Minneapolis Public Works Water Treatment and Distribution Service supplies water for more than 500,000 people living in Minneapolis, Minnesota and several suburban cities.
Does Minneapolis water have a water quality report?
Under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA requires Minneapolis Water to assess local water quality each year and distribute a Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report. At WaterZen, we review these reports and make the information available, in a concise, straightforward, and easy-to-understand way.