How to Pay Your Dorchester County Water and Sewer Bill

Having access to clean water and effective wastewater treatment is something we often take for granted. But providing these essential services in a community takes significant infrastructure and resources. As a customer of Dorchester County’s water and sewer utility services, understanding your bill and payment options is an important responsibility. This guide will walk through everything you need to know to easily pay your Dorchester County water and sewer bill.

Online Bill Pay

The easiest way to pay your water and sewer bill is online through the county’s website. To set up online payments

1. Visit www.dorchestercountysc.gov and click on “Pay Water/Sewer Bill”.

2. Click “Pay Bill” and enter your account number and ZIP code from your bill

3. Select “Sign Up” to create an online profile and register your account.

Once registered, you can view your balance, payment history, and make one-time or recurring payments by credit/debit card or e-check. You’ll receive confirmation emails for added peace of mind.

Pay by Phone

For quick one-time payments, use the pay-by-phone option by calling 1-844-846-2695. You will need to enter your account number, ZIP code, and card details. A convenience fee does apply to phone payments.

Pay by Mail

If you prefer to mail in your payment, send your check or money order along with your payment stub to:

Dorchester County Water & Sewer
500 N Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483

Be sure to allow 5-7 business days for your mailed payment to process.

Pay in Person

You can also pay your water and sewer bill in person at:

Dorchester County Water & Sewer Office
500 N Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483

Payments can be made weekdays 8:30am-5pm by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.

Automatic Bank Drafts

For no-hassle bill payment, sign up for automatic bank drafts from your checking or savings account. Download the ACH authorization form from the website, complete it, and mail it in with a voided check. On the due date each month, your bill amount will automatically be drafted from your bank account.

Budget Billing

To make bills more predictable, Dorchester County offers an optional budget billing plan. This evens out payments over the year so you pay a fixed amount each month based on your average annual usage. Contact customer service to enroll.

Understanding Your Bill

When you receive your monthly bill, be sure to review the details closely. Your consumption will vary month-to-month based on usage of water for showering, laundry, irrigation, etc so compare your usage to the same month last year. Check for any meter reading discrepancies or unexpected spikes.

Your bill will show current monthly water and sewer charges plus any previous unpaid balance. It will note the due date and amount due. Take note of any overdue or remaining account balance so you know how much to pay each month.

Avoid Late Fees

If payment for the full amount due is not received by the due date, a 10% late penalty will be applied to any overdue balance. This late fee will show up on your next month’s bill.

You want to avoid late fees whenever possible, as these additional charges add up. Be sure to pay your bill on time each month to keep your account in good standing.

Service Disconnection

If your account becomes delinquent for non-payment, your water and/or sewer service may be disconnected. This requires paying a reconnection fee to resume service once the overdue amount is paid.

Disconnection can usually be avoided by contacting customer service before the shut-off date to discuss payment plan options if you are unable to pay. Strive to keep your account active and in good standing by paying on time.

Moving Your Service

If you are moving within Dorchester County, you will need to transfer or disconnect your water/sewer services. Contact customer service at least 3 business days before your move date to schedule turning off service at your old address and transferring or starting service at your new property. Make sure any final bills are paid to avoid collections actions.

Billing Disputes

If you find any discrepancies or unclear charges on your water/sewer bill, contact customer service right away to dispute the bill before the due date. Errors need to be identified and corrected quickly to ensure you pay the proper amount owed. Keep records of any billing communications and resolutions.

Payment Assistance

If you are struggling to pay your water and sewer bill, Dorchester County offers a limited Utility Assistance Program for qualified low-income households. You can also discuss special payment arrangements with customer service if you are unable to pay on time.

Don’t let an overdue bill spiral out of control. Seek help early on if needed so your account stays active. Small consistent payments are better than unpaid growing balances.

Easy Bill Management

Dorchester County provides residential and commercial customers with water and wastewater removal services that are essential for public health and cleanliness. Pay your share for these services responsibly by understanding your usage and bills.

Take advantage of the county’s online account tools, budget billing, payment plans, and assistance programs when needed. Setup automatic payments for efficiency. Most importantly, pay on time each month to avoid penalties. Keeping your water/sewer account current is an important responsibility!