Oak Ridge is in the foothills of the Appalachians and is known as the “Secret City” because it was the site of the Manhattan Project during World War II. Today, Oak Ridge offers city services to residents and businesses, such as trash collection, water, electricity, and sewers. The city lets people pay their utility bills easily every month by letting them do so online or in person.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the available methods to pay your Oak Ridge utility bill. We’ll also outline assistance programs if you are having trouble making payments. With this information, you can choose the most convenient way to pay bills and avoid service interruptions.
Online Bill Pay with Oak Ridge Utilities
In Oak Ridge, the Customer Self Service (CSS) portal is the best way to pay your bill online. This allows customers to:
- View current charges
- Check account balance
- View billing history
- Make one-time payments
- Setup recurring auto-pay
- Receive notifications and reminders
To use the online system, you’ll first need to register for an account. Have your utility account number handy to link it to your profile.
You can use the Oak Ridge TN app on your phone or the web to get to the CSS system. Payments are posted to your account immediately when made online.
In-Person Payment Options
Customers who prefer to pay their utility bills in person have several options:
Municipal Building
- 200 S. Tulane Ave.
- Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
- Accepts cash, checks, money orders and credit/debit cards
- Night drop box available
Authorized Payment Stations
- Kroger – Oak Ridge Hwy
- Walmart – Oak Ridge Turnpike
- Food City – Illinois Ave
- CVS – Oak Ridge Turnpike
- Accepts cash or checks only
When paying at an authorized pay station, allow 48 hours for payment to be applied to your account to avoid late fees.
Payment by Phone
Call the Oak Ridge Utility Business Office at (865) 425-3400 to make a payment by phone. Have your account number and debit/credit card information ready. Convenience fees apply to phone payments.
Payment by Mail
Utility payments can be mailed with your remittance coupon to:
City of Oak Ridge
PO Box 1
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
Allow 7-10 business days for delivery to avoid late payment fees
Recurring AutoPay
Forget late payments! Enroll in automatic monthly payments through CSS to pay your bill on time, every time directly from your bank account.
Log into your CSS account and complete the AutoPay authorization to get started. There are no fees to use AutoPay.
Account Balance Email Alerts
The CSS system also provides the option to receive email alerts when your account balance goes above a threshold you set. These can help you monitor usage and avoid high bills
Assistance for Overdue Bills
If you are experiencing financial difficulties and unable to pay your utility bill, Oak Ridge offers assistance programs:
- Payment arrangements – Set up a payment plan for overdue balances
- Low-income assistance – Qualified customers can receive grants from Project Safe and ADFAC
- Third-party notice – Designate a friend or agency to be notified if your service is in danger of disconnection
Contact the Utility Business Office as soon as possible if you anticipate having trouble paying your bill. They can help avoid disruption to your electric, water or sewer service. Disconnection fees may apply if balances are unpaid for long periods.
Tips for Paying Oak Ridge Utility Bills On Time
Follow these tips and tricks for staying on top of City of Oak Ridge utility bills:
- Enroll in paperless billing to receive statements electronically
- Mark your calendar with due dates for each month
- Pay early in your billing cycle
- Check account balance frequently in your online account
- Setup low balance email alerts
- Notify the city if your phone, email or mailing address changes
- Contact customer service immediately if you are having payment issues
Online Bill Pay Provides Convenience and Control
Paying your municipal electric, water, sewer and sanitation bills online with the City of Oak Ridge provides convenience, savings and control over your monthly expenses. Avoid late fees, keep services active and monitor your household utility usage by signing up for an account today. The CSS online portal and mobile app make it easy to stay on top of City of Oak Ridge bills from anywhere.
City of Oak Ridge North
Quick pay Just need to pay your bill? Click quick pay below. Youll need your account number. No login necessary.
Sign in or sign up Create an account to view details, manage single & multi-accounts, multi-bill pay, and e-Billing. Announcements
You can now receive your monthly bill by email! Sign-up to get notifications about your bill via email or text. Be sure to add your email and phone number to your account.
There is a $2.00 transaction fee for each online payment. This is not a fee from the City. This is a third-party transaction fee that does not come to the City.
Office Hours:
Monday thru Thursday 7:30am – 4:30pm
Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm. Contact us
