How to Pay Your Charleston Water Bill Online, by Phone, or In Person

Having reliable access to clean water is something we often take for granted. But providing high-quality water relies on complex infrastructure maintained by companies like the Charleston Water System. As customers, paying our water bills not only covers our usage but helps fund these critical systems we depend on.

In Charleston, SC, residents and businesses receive monthly water bills from Charleston Water. And they make it easy to pay through multiple options – online, by phone, auto-draft, mail or in person This comprehensive guide will walk through the various ways to pay your Charleston Water bill. I’ll also share tips for avoiding late fees, reading your bill, and getting billing questions answered. Let’s dive in!

Online Bill Pay

The fastest and most convenient way to pay your Charleston Water bill is through online bill pay on their website Here’s an overview of how it works

• Visit CharlestonWater.com and click “Pay My Bill”.

• Sign into your account or register as a first-time user.

• Select a payment method – bank account or debit/credit card,

• Enter payment details and submit.

Online payments can be made anytime up to your due date. Funds will withdraw from your selected account immediately after submitting.

The online system also allows you to:

• View current and past water bills

• Update account information

• Enroll in paperless billing

• Monitor water usage

I like to pay as soon as I receive my bill reminder email to get it off my mind!

Paying by Phone

If you prefer to talk to a real person, Charleston Water bills can be paid by phone as well:

• Call 1-855-214-6830 to reach the payment line.

• Provide your account number and payment details.

• Payments can be made with most major credit/debit cards.

• Confirmation number will be provided at the end.

The phone payment line is available 24/7 for your convenience. Just be sure to call a few days before your due date in case manual processing causes a delay.

Auto-Draft Payments

For true bill paying on autopilot, Charleston Water offers an auto-draft option from your bank account.

To enroll:

• Download the auto-draft form from their website.

• Complete the form with account & banking details.

• Mail or drop off the form at the Charleston Water office.

Once set up, your water bill is deducted from your bank account each month on the due date. One less bill to remember to pay!

Paying by Mail

Sending a physical check through the mail is still an option if you prefer. Simply make checks payable to Charleston Water and mail to:

Charleston Water System
PO Box B
Charleston, SC 29402

I recommend allowing 7-10 business days for mailed payments to avoid late fees. And track the payment if mailing close to your due date.

Paying In Person

For those who prefer in-person bill payment, you can pay at the Charleston Water office Monday – Friday during business hours:

Charleston Water System
103 St. Phillip Street
Charleston, SC 29403

In-person payment options include cash, check, money order or credit/debit card. Make sure to bring your paper bill or know your account number. Get a receipt as proof of payment.

Avoid Late Fees

Charleston Water bills are due by the 15th of each month. Late payments will trigger a penalty like this:

• After the 15th – 10% of balance due

• After the 25th – Additional $10 plus 1% interest

Avoid late fees by signing up for reminders, paying early, or setting up auto-draft. But if you do get hit with a late fee, call customer support right away to ask about a one-time waiver.

Reading and Understanding Your Bill

Charleston Water bills summarize your water usage and charges. Here are the key sections:

• Account summary – Customer details, account number, service address

• Billing summary – Billed usage, current charges, payment due date

• Meter readings – Water usage for the month in CCF (hundred cubic feet)

• Billing history – Payment received, previous balance, payments to date

• Message center – Important updates like rate changes

Monitor your usage each month to catch leaks or changes in habits. And reach out if you have questions on charges or readings.

Getting Billing and Payment Support

The Charleston Water team is available to help with any billing or payment questions:

• Call (843) 727-6800 Monday – Friday during business hours

• Email support requests to [email protected]

• Visit the office at 103 St. Phillip Street in downtown Charleston

Some reasons to call include payment issues, bill clarification, leak adjustments, or payment arrangement requests if you’re struggling to pay.

Key Takeaways

• Online bill pay on the Charleston Water website

• Phone payments with the automated line

• Auto-draft deduction from a bank account

• Mailing a physical check

• In-person payments at the Charleston Water office

Be sure to pay on time, monitor your usage, and reach out for any billing or payment help needed. Having access to water in Charleston relies on customers like us doing our small part by paying bills promptly. It’s one way we can all support the water system infrastructure we depend on each and every day.