A Guide to Paying Your Water Bill with Council Bluffs Water Works

Having reliable access to clean, safe drinking water is something most of us take for granted when we turn on the tap. But delivering high-quality water to homes and businesses takes meticulous planning and infrastructure by your local water provider.

For residents of Council Bluffs, Iowa, the Council Bluffs Water Works is the public utility responsible for water treatment and distribution in the city. Read on for a comprehensive overview of Council Bluffs Water Works, including billing and payment options for your water service.

About Council Bluffs Water Works

Council Bluffs Water Works is a municipal water utility owned by the city of Council Bluffs, Iowa They’ve been providing water service to the city since 1886 – over 135 years!

The water system serves approximately 62,000 residents across 19 square miles of Council Bluffs and neighboring areas. This includes both residential and commercial customers.

Key facts about Council Bluffs Water Works:

• Treats roughly 12 million gallons of water per day
• Maintains over 390 miles of water mains and pipes
• Operates 3 different water treatment facilities
• 24 certified water operators on staff
• Rates among the lowest for midwest water utilities

The utility is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Mayor and City Council. Daily operations are handled by the utility’s professional management team.

Council Bluffs Water Works consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. Their commitment to delivering safe, high-quality water has earned recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Water Works Association (AWWA).

Water Rates & Billing

As a customer of Council Bluffs Water Works, you receive monthly water bills for service at your home or business Here’s an overview of how water billing works

Meter Reading

• Meters read monthly around the 15th
• Usage stated in hundreds of cubic feet (CCF)
• 1 CCF = 748 gallons of water

Billing Schedule

• Bills issued monthly
• Covers prior month’s usage
• Due around the 5th of each month

Late Fees

• Bills past due after the 15th
• 10% penalty fee added

Service Shutoff

• Shutoff for non-payment after 10 days late
• $100 fee to restore service

Water Rates

• Based on monthly water consumption
• Tiered rate structure
• Avg. monthly bill $20-$40 for residential customer

Rates are set by Council Bluffs Water Works to cover operational costs like treatment chemicals, electricity, infrastructure maintenance, staffing, and other expenses.

Customers are encouraged to conserve water to keep rates affordable. Check your bill each month and address any leaks that may drive up unusual usage.

Paying Your Water Bill

Council Bluffs Water Works offers several options to pay your monthly water bill conveniently:

Online Payment

• Pay via the customer web portal
• Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
• $1.95 convenience fee per transaction

Phone Payment

• Call the automated payment line at (712) 256-5398
• Have account number and card ready
• Same $1.95 convenience fee

Mail-In Payment

• Detach payment stub from bill
• Enclose check or money order
• Use return envelope provided
• Allow 5 business days for receipt

Drop Boxes

• Place check or money order in sealed envelope
• Deposit after hours at City Hall or utility office

In-Person

• Cash, check, money order, or card
• City Hall – 209 Pearl Street
• Water Works – 2000 N 25th Street

Auto Bill Pay

• Sign up to have bill paid automatically each month
• Deducted from checking/savings account
• Avoid late fees and save time

I recommend setting up automatic bill pay if possible to make one less thing to remember each month. But Council Bluffs Water Works offers enough flexibility to pay your bill in a way that works for you.

What to Do if You Can’t Pay Your Bill

If you’re struggling to pay your water bill, contact Council Bluffs Water Works right away. Don’t let it go past due and risk shutoff.

You may qualify for one of these assistance programs:

• Payment plan – Arrange smaller payments over time
• LIHEAP – Federal heating/cooling assistance
• LEAP – Iowa energy assistance program
• Payment Matching – Whirlpool matches payments for eligible customers

Council Bluffs Water Works will work with you on a solution to keep your water flowing. Disconnection is always a last resort. Be proactive in communicating any financial hardship.

Accessing Your Water Account Online

Council Bluffs Water Works has an online customer portal to access your account details 24/7.

Register your account at www.cbwaterworks.com to:

• Pay your bill
• View monthly usage and billing history
• Update account information
• Enroll in paperless billing
• Monitor water consumption trends
• Report service issues
• And more!

This self-service portal makes managing your water account quick and convenient on your schedule. Use it to monitor your usage and bill details.

Water Service Disruptions

While water service is remarkably reliable, occasional disruptions do occur to make repairs or during major construction projects. Check the Council Bluffs Water Works website for any current water outages impacting service.

If you experience no water or low pressure at your location, report it right away at (712) 328-4625. This 24-hour hotline helps dispatch crews to assess any issues and restore water ASAP.

For planned maintenance that will result in shutdowns, the utility issues advance notices to affected residents. But unexpected water main breaks can happen anytime. Prompt reporting assists with a swift response.

Quality & Conservation Programs

Council Bluffs Water Works actively monitors water quality through regular testing to ensure safety standards are met. This includes detecting lead levels and other potential contaminants.

Annual consumer confidence reports detail the results of all drinking water testing. Review yours to understand the source and quality of your water.

Various conservation initiatives also aim to reduce water usage, like:

• Meter audits to detect leaks
• Rebate programs for water-saving appliances
• Educational resources on conservation
• Water restriction guidelines for dry conditions

Getting involved in local public meetings and education programs is a great way to learn more about Council Bluffs’ water.

Keeping Water Affordable for the Community

Delivering safe, reliable water service at reasonable rates is the top priority for Council Bluffs Water Works.

Costs are carefully managed to avoid large spikes in water bills. Any rate increases go through a transparent public review process before approval.

Stay informed by reading your monthly statements, attending public meetings, reporting leaks promptly, and practicing responsible water usage. We all play a role in keeping this vital service affordable.

Summary of Key Points

• Council Bluffs Water Works provides water to the city through treatment plants, wells, and water main infrastructure
• Customers are billed monthly based on metered water consumption
• Payment options include online, phone, mail, auto bill pay, and in-person
• Financial assistance programs exist for those struggling with bills
• Monitor your usage and report any leaks to avoid waste
• Check the website for account access, outages, conservation tips, and more

Safe water is critical to public health. Council Bluffs Water Works’ professional staff works around the clock to deliver this essential service. Maintaining community infrastructure relies on customers paying bills promptly and using water wisely. We must all do our part to keep water clean, accessible, and affordable now and for future generations.