A Complete Guide to Paying Your Water Bill in DeSoto, TX

Paying your monthly water bill is an essential responsibility as a resident or business owner in the city of DeSoto TX. The city’s Public Utilities department provides water and sewer services to over 53000 residents across DeSoto’s 37 square miles. They make paying your water bill quick and convenient through various online, phone, mail and in-person options. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about paying your DeSoto water utility bill.

Understanding Your DeSoto Water Bill

DeSoto water bills are mailed out monthly and are typically due around the 10th of each month. The bill includes charges for water and sewer services based on your property’s meter readings and any other applicable fees. Your bill will show:

• Previous balance
• New charges for water used and sewer services
• Any adjustments or payments made
• Total amount due

Carefully review each monthly bill to ensure accuracy. Contact the Utility Billing department promptly with any questions or disputes over charges.

When and How to Pay Your DeSoto Water Bill

To avoid late fees, your water bill must be paid in full by the due date printed on your statement, generally around the 10th of the month. DeSoto offers several payment options:

Pay Online

The fastest and most popular method is paying online through the city’s online payment portal You can pay by e-Check or credit/debit card The online system also allows you to

• View payment history
• Enroll in paperless billing
• Set up automatic payments

Pay by Phone

Call 972-230-9627 and select option 7 to access the automated phone payment system. Have your account number and credit/debit card ready to make a payment.

Pay by Mail

Detach the payment stub from your paper bill and mail it along with a check or money order to:

City of DeSoto
P.O. Box 960007
DeSoto, TX 75115

Allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to be processed.

Pay in Person

Bring your water bill to the Utility Billing office located at DeSoto City Hall, 211 E. Pleasant Run Rd. A drive-thru window is open 8am-5pm Monday-Friday for convenient payment drop-off. A 24-hour walk-up kiosk is also available outside.

Cash payments can be made at select payment centers such as Fiesta Mart and Amigo locations around DeSoto.

Auto-Pay

Sign up for auto-pay through your online account to have your water bill paid automatically each month on the due date via bank account debit. This ensures you never miss a payment.

Financial Assistance Programs

If you are having difficulty paying your water bill, DeSoto offers assistance programs including:

• Payment arrangements – Set up a plan to pay your balance over time.

• Leak adjustment – You may qualify for a billing adjustment if a leak caused unusually high water usage.

• Senior discount – Seniors 65+ receive a discount on water service.

Contact Utility Billing to learn more about qualification requirements and how to apply for these programs.

Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection

DeSoto charges a 10% late fee on any unpaid water bill balance remaining after the due date. You can avoid this by paying on time every month.

If your account remains delinquent for two billing cycles, your water service may be disconnected. A $50 disconnection fee and $50 reconnection fee will be charged. Service will only be restored once the full past due amount is paid.

Losing water service can significantly disrupt your life and business operations. Be proactive with payment to avoid cutoff. Notify Utility Billing immediately if you foresee any issue with paying on time.

Payment Receipts and Records

There are several ways to access receipts and records for DeSoto water bill payments:

• Email receipts are sent for online payments.

• Payment histories are available through your online account.

• Call 972-230-9627 to request mailed payment records.

• Retain printed receipts or bank statements for in-person and mailed payments.

Good record keeping helps resolve any payment discrepancies quickly if they arise.

Moving and Closing Your Water Account

Notify Utility Billing at least 3 business days before your move date to close your water account. Provide a forwarding address to receive your final bill. Failure to close your account will result in continued billing and collection efforts.

When opening water service at your new home or business, contact Utility Billing to complete the necessary applications and establish service in your name. A deposit may be required to start new service if you did not have an account with the City of DeSoto previously.

More DeSoto Water Billing Tips and Details:

• New service activation takes 1 business day after submitting applications and deposit, if applicable. Same-day rush service is available for a $15 fee.

• The Utility Billing office is open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday for in-person assistance. A payment drop-box is available 24/7.

• DeSoto only mails paper bills upon request. Standard billing is paperless/electronic.

• Watch for seasonal changes in your usage on sewer-only winter bills for irrigation meters.

• Check your meter read if consumption seems abnormal. You may have a leak.

• Garbage and recycling are billed separately through a contract with Republic Services.

Paying your water bill ensures that you continue to receive this vital service that we often take for granted. DeSoto’s Utility Billing department aims to make payment as quick and hassle-free as possible. Don’t hesitate to contact them with any billing questions or for help signing up for online account access and automatic payments. Staying on top of your water bill helps avoid unwanted fees and disruption of services.