How To Pay Your Water Bill in Harper Woods, Michigan

Paying your water bill on time each month is an essential responsibility as a homeowner or renter. But every city has its own process and requirements for making water bill payments. If you live in Harper Woods, Michigan, here is a helpful guide to paying your water bill efficiently and avoiding late fees.

Overview of Water Service in Harper Woods

The city of Harper Woods provides water service to around 14,000 residents. Usage is metered and billed monthly based on the amount of water consumed.

Water rates are approved by City Council and typically adjusted periodically to keep pace with operating costs. As of 2023 the water rate in Harper Woods is $3.41 per 1000 gallons. There is also a monthly service charge based on your meter size. For a typical 5/8-inch residential meter it is $5.50.

Bills are sent out every month, and payment is due by the date shown on your statement, which is usually around the 25th of every month. The city assesses a 10% penalty on any late payments. Every month, accounts that are more than 60 days past due are shut off.

So paying your water bill fully and on-time is important both to avoid penalties and ensure uninterrupted service

When are Water Bills Issued in Harper Woods?

Water meters are read and billed on a monthly cycle. Where in the city you live determines your exact meter read and bill date.

Bills are mailed in groups corresponding to different read cycles. There are four read cycles per month on the following dates:

• Cycle 1: 1st-4th business day of the month
• Cycle 2: 9th-11th business day of the month
• Cycle 3: 14th-18th business day of the month
• Cycle 4: 21st-25th business day of the month

Your meter will be read during the first few days of the month if your address is in Cycle 1. Your bill for that period will be mailed around the 5th. It will be due by the date printed on the statement.

If you need to find your read cycle, it is printed on each monthly bill underneath your account number. You can also call the water department billing office at 313-343-2570 for assistance.

How Can I Pay My Harper Woods Water Bill?

The City of Harper Woods offers several convenient payment options:

By Mail

You can mail your payment to:

City of Harper Woods
Water Department
19617 Harper Ave.
Harper Woods, MI 48225

Be sure to include your payment stub from your water bill to expedite processing. Allow up to 7 business days for your mailed payment to reach the water department and be applied to your account.

In Person

You can pay your water bill in person at Harper Woods City Hall located at:

19617 Harper Ave.
Harper Woods, MI 48225

City Hall is open Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. In-person payments can be made by cash, check, money order or credit/debit card.

Drop Box

A 24-hour drop box is located just outside the main entrance to City Hall. Place your payment (check or money order only) in an envelope with your stub in the drop box. Payments left in the drop box by 10:00 am will be processed the same day.

By Phone

You can pay over the phone by calling 855-845-5378. Operators are available Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. You will need to provide your account number and billing zip code. Phone payments can be made by credit/debit card or electronic check.

Online Payments

The city has partnered with BS&A software to offer online credit/debit card payments through their payment portal.

To use this system:

• Search for your account by account number, address, or parcel number
• Select your account
• Enter payment information

A third-party processing fee applies to online payments.

AutoPay -Recurring Payments

You can enroll in a recurring automatic payment plan where your water bill is paid directly from your checking account or credit card each month. Download an application on the city website and submit it to the water department to get started.

What if I’m Unable to Pay My Bill?

If you are struggling to pay your water bill, contact the water department billing office as soon as possible at 313-343-2570. Let them know your situation and see if they can offer any assistance or payment arrangements.

The city also partners with The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) to provide water payment assistance to qualifying low-income residents. You can apply through THAW to potentially receive a credit on your water account.

Whatever your circumstances, maintain open communication with the billing office. Shut-offs can be avoided if you proactively reach out about making alternate payment arrangements before your account becomes delinquent.

Can My Water Service Be Shut Off for Non-Payment?

Yes, the city can shut off residential water service if an account becomes delinquent. Here is the shut-off process they follow:

• Day 1 past due: Account is now considered delinquent.
• Day 15 past due: Reminder notice is mailed advising shut-off may occur if balance is not paid in full.
• Day 30 past due: Shut-off notice is hand delivered to the residence advising that water service will be terminated in 30 days if unpaid.
• Day 60 past due: Account meets threshold for shut-off. Shut-offs are done each month for accounts 60+ days past due.
• Day 90 past due: If account remains unpaid, final shut-off notice is hand delivered and account may immediately be shut-off if bill is not paid upon delivery of final notice.

So if you miss a payment, act quickly to resolve the outstanding balance and avoid shut-off. The city typically does not make payment arrangements for accounts that are 60+ days delinquent.

And if your service ends up being disconnected, you will also have to pay a $50 turn-on fee when the balance is eventually paid to restore service. Avoid these extra costs by paying on time.

What Should I Do if I’m Charged an Incorrect Amount?

If your water usage or bill amount seems unusually high, don’t just assume it’s correct. You have options to dispute suspected billing errors:

• Compare usage to prior months – is it drastically higher for no apparent reason? This could signal a leak or meter issue.

• Verify the meter read – is the read sequence accurate on your statement? If not, your bill could be estimated incorrectly.

• Check for billing math errors – make sure rates were calculated properly and match current approved city rates.

• Inspect your meter – is it damaged? Has the read dial moved when no water is running? This may indicate a faulty meter.

• Request a meter accuracy test – the city can remove your meter and have it tested in their shop to verify it is recording usage correctly.

• Ask about meter downsizing – if you have significantly reduced occupancy, you may be able to switch to a smaller meter size and save on service fees.

If you find evidence of any billing discrepancy, contact the water department billing office right away at 313-343-2570. Be prepared to provide information on what you discovered and they will research your account. If the bill is found to be in error, they will remedy the situation accordingly.

Key Takeaways on Paying Your Harper Woods Water Bill

• Check your billing cycle – know your meter read and due dates.

• Pay your balance in full by the due date to avoid late fees.

• Use the city’s online payment system if you want added convenience.

• Contact the billing office immediately if you anticipate issues paying on time.

• Dispute billing errors promptly and provide supporting information.

• Maintain open communication on payment issues to prevent shut-offs.

Paying your water bill doesn’t have to be a hassle if you follow the proper steps. Utilize the payment options that work for your needs and budget. And leverage the billing office as a resource if any questions or issues arise. They can help ensure your water keeps flowing uninterrupted in Harper Woods.