Reliable water and sewer service is vital to every home and business As a customer of Amherst County Service Authority (ACSA), it’s your responsibility to pay your monthly utility bills on time This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about paying your ACSA bill conveniently and avoiding late fees.
Overview of Amherst County Service Authority
ACSA provides water and sewer utility services to over 9,000 customers in Amherst County, Virginia Here are some key facts
- ACSA operates 5 water treatment plants with a combined capacity of 4 million gallons per day
- Over 300 miles of water lines distribute clean water to homes and businesses
- Around 200 miles of sewer lines collect wastewater for treatment
- Water sources include the James River and 7 groundwater wells
- Meters measure exact water usage which is billed monthly
- Bills are issued around the 20th of each month
- Service area covers most of Amherst County
Understanding Your ACSA Utility Bill
ACSA utility bills clearly outline your water and sewer charges each month. Here’s what’s typically included:
- Account number and service address
- Previous and current meter readings
- Number of units (hundred cubic feet) of water used
- Water and sewer base service fees
- Water usage fee based on units consumed
- Sewer usage fee based on water consumption
- Total current charges
- Payment due date
- Past due balance, if any
Rates are set by the ACSA Board and based on water meter size for base fees and per unit of consumption. Review your bill carefully to ensure all fees and usage align with your actual service.
When ACSA Bills Are Due
The due date for payment is clearly printed on each monthly ACSA bill, usually around the 10th of the month. Payments received after the due date incur a 10% late penalty on any unpaid balance.
If an account is still unpaid after approximately 25 days past the due date, a final notice is mailed warning of pending disconnection of service. Failure to pay past due balances after final notice will result in water service being shut off.
Avoid late fees and service interruptions by paying your total balance due by the due date each month. Even one day late will result in late penalties.
Payment Options for ACSA Utility Bills
ACSA offers several convenient ways to pay your monthly water/sewer bill:
Online Bill Pay
The easiest way to pay is online 24/7 via the online payment portal. You can pay by credit/debit card or e-check. A nominal service fee applies to card payments.
Login with your account number and last payment amount. Online payments are posted next business day.
Pay By Phone
Call 1-855-985-1127 to pay over the automated phone system using your card. Service fees apply to card payments.
Pay by Mail
Detach payment stub from bill and mail with check or money order to:
ACSA
P.O. Box 100
Madison Heights, VA 24572
Allow 5-7 days mailing time to avoid late penalties. Include account number on check.
Pay in Person
Bring cash, check, or card payment to the ACSA office at:
113 Phelps Rd
Madison Heights, VA
Office hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
Payment Drop Box
A drive-up drop box is located at the ACSA office. Place check or money order payments in the sealed envelope provided with your bill. No cash.
Auto-Pay Automatic Bank Drafts
Sign up to have payments automatically drafted from your bank account each month. Drafts occur on due date. Enrollment form is available on the ACSA website.
Budget Billing
Sign up for Budget Billing to even out payments. Your monthly bill remains the same based on yearly average. Call ACSA for details.
Payment Assistance Options
If you are struggling to pay your ACSA utility bill, the following programs may help:
- One-time 15-day due date extensions – Late fees still apply
- Payment plans – 20% down payment required plus 4 installments
- Bill review – Staff can audit bill for potential leaks or other causes of high usage
- Leak adjustment – One yearly adjustment allowed for leakage on customer side
- CARES assistance – Federal COVID-19 relief grants for overdue utility bills
- LIHEAP – Federal grant aid for low income households’ utility bills
- LAP – Local emergency assistance for customers facing disconnection
Contact ACSA as soon as possible if you anticipate problems paying your bill. Payment arrangements can prevent shut offs.
Avoid Late Fees and Service Disruptions
Here are some tips to avoid late payments and maintain uninterrupted water/sewer service:
- Mark due date on your calendar and pay on time each month
- Allow 5-7 days processing time for mailed payments
- Sign up for automatic monthly bank drafts to guarantee on-time payment
- Review bills promptly – contact ACSA immediately if discrepancies are found
- Pay online 24/7 or utilize payment drop box to prove next day payment
- Contact ACSA before due date if difficulty paying is expected to make arrangements
Careful account management prevents late fees in excess of $10 per month and costly service interruption.
Reviewing Your Bill for Accuracy
Always double check your monthly ACSA bill for any potential errors:
- Verify service address and account number
- Check meter ID number matches your property
- Confirm billing rates match current approved rates
- Compare usage to prior months for abnormal spikes
- Look for double charged line items or calculation errors
- Ensure prior balances match your payment records
Notify ACSA immediately of any discrepancies so your account can be reviewed prior to due date. This prevents overpayment and ensures you only pay confirmed accurate charges.
Final Bills When Moving Out
To close out your ACSA account when moving, follow this process:
- Notify ACSA at least 1 week before move date to schedule final meter readings
- Provide forwarding address to mail final bill
- Pay off any prior unpaid balances to avoid transferring account to collections
- Expect final prorated bill within 2 weeks of final read date
- Consider enrolling in auto-pay to ensure payment of final bill after moving out
Properly closing your account ensures no continued liability for usage after you move.
Paying your water/sewer bill on time and maintaining your account in good standing ensures continuous essential utility services. Use this guide to easily pay your ACSA bill every month.
Pay Your Bill Online
ACSA, at the request of many of our customers, has established an On-Line Utility Bill Paying system to better serve our county water and sewer customers. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.