Paying Your Water Bill in Buffalo Grove: A Complete Guide

Living in Buffalo Grove? Then you’re probably familiar with getting those bi-monthly water and sewer utility bills from the village Paying your water bill on time and understanding your options is an important part of being a responsible resident. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about paying your water bill in Buffalo Grove

Overview of Buffalo Grove Water Billing

The Village of Buffalo Grove bills all controlled utility accounts for water and sewer services Residential properties receive bills bi-monthly, while commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties are billed monthly

The village’s Finance Department handles all the billing. You can contact them with questions at 847-459-2500. Their office is located at Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd.

When are Bills Sent Out?

For residential customers, Buffalo Grove sends out water and sewer bills every other month. You’ll receive one around the end of even-numbered months – February, April, June, August, October, December.

Since billing cycles align with calendar months, your due date will be near the end of odd-numbered months – January, March, May, July, September, November.

Bills are sent to commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties every month, so they are due every month.

How Much is a Typical Water Bill?

Of course, how much you pay for water depends on your usage. But on average, Buffalo Grove residential customers pay around $80-$100 bi-monthly. Expect your bill to be higher in the summer months when water usage increases.

The village has different commercial water rates depending on business type and meter size. These customers pay monthly bills ranging from $100 to over $10,000.

Reading and Understanding Your Water Bill

Your Buffalo Grove water bill will have a summary of your charges as well as a breakdown of how much water you have used recently and in the past.

Key sections to look at are:

• Account information: This verifies the service address and account details. Check that your name, address, and account number are correct.

• Billing period: This shows the date range covered by the current bill. For residential customers, this should be a 2-month period.

• Water usage history: A bar graph shows your current period usage compared to the previous 3 periods. Review this to spot any unusual spikes or drops in consumption.

• Meter readings: Your bill shows the read dates and meter readings at the start and end of the billing period. This is used to calculate usage.

• Water and sewer charges: These are the actual charges for the metered water used and sewer services. The rates applied are listed here.

• Account balance: This shows your previous balance, any payments made, new charges, and the total now due.

How to Pay Your Buffalo Grove Water Bill

The Village of Buffalo Grove offers several convenient payment options:

• Automatic bank draft (EZ-Pay): This free option automatically deducts your bill from your bank account. Complete an EZ-Pay enrollment form to sign up.

• Online via user profile: Pay by credit/debit card through your account dashboard on the village website. A 3.95% transaction fee applies.

• Electronic payment from bank: Arrange a direct bank bill pay through your financial institution. No fee.

• Mail: Send a check or money order using the remittance stub from your bill. No fee.

• In-person: Drop off a check or money order at Village Hall during business hours or use the 24/7 drop box.

• One-time online payment: Pay without an account at www.vbg.org/pay. A $3.50 transaction fee applies.

• By phone: Call 888-973-6238 anytime to pay by Visa, Mastercard or Discover. A 3.95% fee is charged.

What If I’m Having Trouble Paying My Bill?

If you’re ever unable to pay your entire water bill by the due date, contact the village’s Utility Billing Department right away. They can discuss payment plan options and work with you on a solution. It’s important to reach out before your account becomes delinquent.

The village does charge late fees on past due balances. But as long as you communicate with them, they’ll do their best to set up a payment arrangement that works with your financial situation.

Why is My Water Bill High? How to Get Help

See a spike in your Buffalo Grove water bill? Don’t panic – there could be a reasonable explanation. Common causes include:

• Increased usage from guests, new appliances, etc.

• An undetected leak somewhere on your property

• A faulty meter recording more usage than actual

• An error on your bill

If you notice your bill is unexpectedly high, the first step is contacting Buffalo Grove Public Works. Their team can help investigate potential issues and determine if your bill accurately reflects your household’s water use.

To get started, submit a request through the Public Works online portal describing the problem. Make sure to provide your account number, service address, and any details about appliances, leaks, or other factors that could be increasing your usage.

The village also offers free leak detection surveys. A technician will come inspect your home’s plumbing system and detect any leaks that could waste water and make your bill higher. Schedule a survey if you suspect your bill doesn’t match your actual usage.

More Resources on Buffalo Grove Water Bills

Hopefully this guide provided a helpful overview of paying your water bill in Buffalo Grove! Here are some additional resources for more information:

• Village of Buffalo Grove Utility Billing: www.vbg.org/waterbilling
• Set Up or Manage Your Online Payment Profile: www.vbg.org/onlinebilling
• Buffalo Grove Payment Portal for One-Time Payments: www.vbg.org/pay
• Utility Billing Contact Information: 847-459-2500 or [email protected]
• Buffalo Grove Public Works Online Service Requests: www.vbg.org/publicworksportal

Paying your water services bill on time is an important responsibility as a Buffalo Grove resident or business owner. Following the tips in this guide will help you understand the process, pay on time, get assistance if needed, and keep your water flowing!