Paying Your Water Bill in Grand Rapids: An Easy Guide

Moving to a new city can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to navigating all the utilities and services Paying your water bill is one of those essential tasks that can cause confusion if the process is unclear. As a Grand Rapids resident myself, I want to walk you through how straightforward and simple it is to pay your water bill to the City of Grand Rapids

Online Payments

The easiest and most convenient way to pay your water bill is online through the city’s payment portal GR PayIt. You can access it at https //payments.grandrapidsmi.gov/.

Here are some key things to know about paying online

• Security – GR PayIt uses encryption and secure third party storage, so you can trust your payment info is protected.

• No fees – There are no processing fees when paying water bills through GR PayIt, which saves you money.

• When to pay: If you pay before noon on a business day, the money will be in your account the next business day. Holiday payments post the following business day.

First, you’ll make an account on GR PayIt and use a helpful chatbot called the Water Bot to connect your water account. You can connect multiple water accounts to one GR PayIt account if needed.

For the actual payment, you can use either a credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AmEx) or an eCheck from your bank account. It only takes a minute to enter your details and submit the payment. No fees are added, which is awesome!

I highly recommend setting up autopay if you want the ultimate in convenience. This automatically pays your balance in full each month, so you never forget. And with GR PayIt, autopay is free too!

You can also go paperless by managing eBilling in GR PayIt. The city will email you each month when your new bill is ready to view. Going paperless saves trees and clutter.

Paying by Mail

If you prefer to mail in a traditional paper check, here are some tips:

• Make checks payable to Grand Rapids City Treasurer.

• Write your water account number on the memo line.

• Mail at least 5-7 business days before your due date since it takes that long for the USPS to deliver.

• Send to: Grand Rapids City Treasurer, 300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

One thing to note is that mailed payments take longer to post to your account, about 2 business days after the city receives it. So if your water was shut off, paying online or in person will turn it back on sooner.

Paying by Phone

You can also pay your water bill over the phone by calling 1-877-495-0333 and selecting option 2. Have your account number handy when you call.

The city uses a third party service called ACI Payments to take payments. They accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards. No fees apply to phone payments either.

Just like mailed payments, phone payments take 2 business days to post. So go online or in person if you need same or next day posting.

Paying In Person

For immediate posting, paying in person at City Hall is the way to go. They even validate 30 minutes of parking in the Government Center Ramp when you pay at the counter!

City Hall is located at 300 Monroe Ave NW on the Monroe Level. You can pay with cash, check, money order or credit/debit card when you visit.

If you can’t make it during business hours (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm), you can use the drop box across the street at 300 Ottawa Ave NW. Just be sure to include your account number on any checks. The city empties the box and processes payments each business day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an extension on my due date?

Yes, you can receive a 4 day extension if:

• Your account is in good standing
• Your bill is not past due
• You call before the due date

What do I do if I think my bill is high due to a leak?

You can request a water leak credit if you have a leak causing higher usage. The city has tips for detecting leaks at https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Payments/WaterSewer-Bill-Payments.

How do I view past water bills?

In the GR PayIt portal, you can access current and previous water bills through eServices once your account is linked.

What if my water was shut off for nonpayment?

To get it turned back on, you’ll need to pay the full past due balance. Pay online, by phone or in person at City Hall for fastest reinstatement of service.

What if I mail my payment and it has missing information?

The city will contact you by phone or email to resolve any issues and process the payment. This may delay posting by an extra day or two.

When will my mailed payment post to my account?

• Payments received Mon-Thurs post within 2 business days
• Payments received Fri-Sun post by Tuesday at noon

Do credit card payments cost extra?

Nope! The city does not charge any fees for credit/debit card payments made online, by phone, or at City Hall.

Can I pay with cash or money order?

Yes, the city accepts cash, checks, money orders and major credit/debit cards.

What do I do if my check bounces?

You’ll be responsible for reimbursing any bank fees plus a $30 returned check fee to the city.

What if I pay on a weekend or holiday?

Payments made on weekends or holidays post 2 business days later, on Tuesday by noon.