A Guide to Paying Your Water Bill in Banks County, GA

Water that is clean and reliable is an important service that most of us take for granted. However, this valuable resource does not come free of charge. If you live in or own a business in Banks County, Georgia, you need to pay your monthly water bill to the local water utility department on time. If you don’t pay your water bill or get behind on it, you could lose your service or even have a lien put on your property.

If you want to avoid these problems, you should know how to pay your Banks County water bill and make sure you handle this monthly payment properly. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about paying your Banks County water bill, including the different ways you can pay, how to avoid late fees, programs for people who are having trouble paying their bill, and more.

Online Bill Pay

The easiest and most convenient way to pay your Banks County water bill is online through the county’s website, Simply go to www,bankscountyga,gov and click on the link for “Pay Water Bill” This will redirect you to the county’s online payment portal,

On your first visit, you will need to create an account by providing your contact information and account number printed on your water bill. Once registered, you can log in anytime and make a payment by credit card or debit card. The county accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Online payments are processed instantly and applied to your water account typically within 1 business day You can also view your balance and payment history through the online portal.

Pay by Phone

In addition to the website Banks County offers a 24/7 automated phone system for paying water bills. To use the self-service IVR system call 706-677-2261 and select option 5. The system will guide you through entering your account number, validating your identity, and submitting payment by credit/debit card.

The main benefit of paying by phone is the ability to do so anytime day or night. However, there is a small processing fee applied to phone payments. You can also speak to a customer service agent during normal business hours if you have questions about your water account.

Pay by Mail

Sending a check or money order through the mail is a straightforward bill payment option accepted by Banks County. Be sure to include your payment stub from your water bill to credit your account properly. Allow 5-7 days for mailed payments to be received and processed by the utility department to avoid late fees.

Mail your water bill payment to:

Banks County Water Department
P.O. Box 400
Homer, GA 30547

Just note that mailed payments do take longer to process than online or phone payments. Set a reminder to mail your check several days before the due date to ensure it arrives on time.

Pay in Person

For those who prefer to pay their water bill in person, you can visit the Banks County Public Utilities office located at:

150 Hudson Ridge Suite 5
Homer, GA 30547

The office is open Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. You can pay by cash, check, money order or credit/debit card when you visit in person. Payments are processed and applied to your account immediately.

Bank Account Auto-Drafts

For maximum convenience, consider enrolling in Banks County’s automatic bank draft program. This authorizes the water department to automatically withdraw your monthly bill amount directly from your checking or savings account around the due date.

To enroll, you need to complete an authorization form and provide a voided check. Standard processing times apply. The bill will still be mailed to you, but the payment happens automatically without any effort on your part. Just be sure to monitor your bank account balance to avoid overdraft fees.

Avoid Late Payments and Fees

A key responsibility that comes with paying your Banks County water bill is doing so by the due date printed on your monthly statement. Paying late triggers expensive late payment fees and can eventually lead to water service interruptions.

Here are some tips to avoid late water bill payments:

• Mark payment due dates on your calendar and set bill payment reminders.
• Enroll in auto-drafts or schedule recurring online payments for automatic on-time payment.
• Allow 5-7 business days for mailed checks to reach the water department.
• If funds are tight, call Banks County before the due date to discuss payment plan options.
• Update your contact information so you don’t miss notices about past due bills.

Monitoring your water account regularly enables you to quickly spot and dispute any incorrect charges before they affect your on-time payment record. Communicate any payment difficulties promptly to Banks County so they can advise you on assistance programs or alternate solutions.

Financial Hardship Assistance

For Banks County residents who are struggling financially and unable to keep up with water bill payments, there are resources available to help. The water department partners with local nonprofit agencies to provide emergency utility bill assistance grants to those who meet low-income eligibility criteria.

You may also be able to arrange a delayed payment plan with the water department by speaking to a customer service representative. Make every effort to pay what you can, even if it’s not the full amount, to show good faith. Keeping open communication with the water department can help avoid harsh service disruptions.

In Summary

Having access to water and sewer services is a necessity for any home or business. As a Banks County utility customer, it is your responsibility to pay your water bill in full and on time each month through one of the payment methods described in this guide. Avoid late fees and service interruptions by carefully managing your water account. Seek assistance if needed and don’t hesitate to contact Banks County with any questions related to your water service and billing.