How to Pay Your Erie County Sewer and Water Bill

The people who live in Erie County, Ohio can use the county’s public sewer and water systems. These utilities provide vital services that require ongoing infrastructure and operations. You are in charge of paying a monthly bill for sewer and water that includes your share of the costs. This article will give you an overview of how Erie County bills work and the different ways you can pay your monthly sewer and water bills.

Understanding Your Erie County Sewer and Water Bill

As a resident served by the county’s sewer and water systems, you will receive a single combined monthly bill covering charges for both utilities. This billing statement provides important details like:

• Your account number for referencing payments
• Service address where you receive sewer/water
• Previous meter readings and total usage amounts
• Sewer charges based on your water consumption
• Water charges according to the rate schedule
• Any unpaid balances or adjustments from prior cycles
• Current total amount due for the billing period

Each month, carefully read over your statement to understand the charges and make sure they are correct. Contact the county utility department immediately with any questions or concerns. To avoid late fees, you must pay the full amount by the due date.

Payment Options for Erie County Sewer and Water Bills

Erie County offers several convenient ways to pay your monthly sewer and water bill. Choose the option that works best based on your needs and preferences

By Mail

• Send a check or money order using the return payment envelope provided with your bill. Be sure to include your account number on the payment.
• Mail to: Erie County Service Center Annex, 2900 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870

In Person

• Pay by cash, check, or credit/debit card at the Erie County Service Center Annex, Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm.

Online Bill Pay

• Sign up to receive and pay bills electronically at the county’s online payment portal.
• Make quick one-time payments or set up recurring automated payments.

By Phone

• Call 1-888-399-6065 to pay by credit/debit card using the county’s automated phone payment system.

Night Depository

• Place check/cash payments in the secure night box at the Erie County Service Center Annex after normal business hours.

Automatic Bank Draft

• Authorize the county to automatically withdraw the amount due from your bank account each month.

Take advantage of options like online, phone, and auto-pay to avoid mailing delays and ensure on-time payment every month The county does not accept payments in person at other offices or field locations

Avoid Late Fees and Service Disruption

Erie County will assess substantial late payment fees if your sewer and water bill is not paid in full by the listed due date each month. Frequent late payments can also result in water service shut-off penalty fees to restore service, and other issues.

Setting up automatic payments is the best way to never miss a payment deadline. Otherwise, allow 5-7 days for mailed payments to reach the county utility department and be credited to your account. Online and phone payments offer faster processing if paying close to the due date.

If you think you might have trouble paying on time, call the county right away to talk about possible payment plans before the due date passes. Talking about problems before they get out of hand is very helpful. If you wait until a bill is past due, the county can’t help you as much.

Moving In or Out of Erie County?

Contact the Erie County utility department right away if you are establishing or terminating sewer and water service. Failing to do so can result in continued billing and charges for an unused account.

When moving into a new residence in Erie County:

• Schedule an appointment to have the water meter read and activated on your start date.
• Provide the county your contact info and billing address to open a new sewer/water account.

When moving out:

• Similarly, arrange for a final meter read and account deactivation when vacating the property.
• Pay any remaining balance in full prior to closed the account.

Proper account setup ensures billing goes to the correct party during transitions between tenants or owners. Don’t leave unpaid utility charges in your name by neglecting to close your account when moving.

Disputing Your Erie County Sewer and Water Bill

If you believe your bill contains an error or inaccurate charges, contact Erie County immediately to dispute the bill and request an investigation. Clarify the specific issue – unusual spikes in consumption due to leaks or billing mistakes do occasionally occur.

While disputing a bill, you must still pay the undisputed portion by the due date to avoid late fees. The county will assess the complaint and issue any corrections or adjustments needed on a future statement after reviewing the account. Evidence supporting your claim of inaccuracy will help resolve a dispute quickly in your favor.

Budget Billing Program for Consistent Payments

Erie County offers an optional budget billing program that lets you pay a fixed amount each month, providing consistent predictability. The fixed bill amount gets determined based on your average usage over the past 12 months. Every 6 months, your budget amount gets recalculated and adjusted up or down accordingly.

To enroll, you need at least 12 months of established service with the county utilities and a zero account balance. The program runs for 12 months at a time – sign up early to get on the next annual cycle beginning in January. Budget billing helps households on fixed incomes manage their utilities expenses.

Financial Assistance for Qualified Erie County Residents

For low-income residents facing economic hardship and struggling to cover utilities bills, Erie County administers state and federal programs that provide financial assistance. These include:

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – Helps pay a portion of winter heating bills for eligible households.

• Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) – Reduces and maintains utility bills at an affordable level based on your income.

• Low Income Household Water Assistance Program – Offers $500 annually to qualifying households for water bill assistance.

Contact the county social services office to learn more about applying for these and other utility financial assistance programs if needed. Don’t let an inability to pay result in service shut-offs – help is available.

Contact Erie County with Any Sewer and Water Bill Questions

Reach out to the Erie County utility department with any other questions not covered here. They can explain your specific account charges, payment history, and any assistance available. Stay in close communication, pay bills on time, and enjoy reliable sewer and water service throughout Erie County.