How Do I Pay My Chicago Water Bill? A Guide to Paying Your Chicago Utility Bill

Paying your water bill in Chicago can seem complicated but it doesn’t have to be! The City of Chicago offers a variety of convenient payment options to make paying your utility bill quick and easy. In this article we’ll walk through everything you need to know about paying your Chicago water bill.

Overview of Chicago Water Billing

In Chicago water billing is handled by the Department of Finance’s Utility Billing and Customer Service division. This covers your water sewer, and garbage collection charges.

Chicago utility bills can be either metered or non-metered. With a metered account, you pay for your actual water usage based on meter readings. Non-metered accounts pay a flat rate each month based on factors like building and lot size.

Bills are sent out monthly or bi-monthly. You’ll receive a unified utility bill covering all your water-related charges.

Ways to Pay Your Chicago Water Bill

Online payment through the City of Chicago is the easiest way to pay your water bill. But you have several options:

• Online: Use an electronic check or a credit or debit card to pay through the online payment portal. You can also set up autopay and paperless billing here.

• Phone – Call 312-744-4426 to pay over the phone using an electronic check or credit/debit card.

• Mail – Mail a check, cashier’s check, or money order to:

  City of Chicago Utility Billing
  P.O. Box 6330
  Chicago, IL 60680-6330

• In-Person – Pay in-person at City Hall, a neighborhood payment center, or automated EZ Pay station. You can pay with check, money order, cash, or credit/debit card.

• EZ Pay Station – Pay with a personal check, credit/debit card, or cash at one of the EZ Pay Stations located throughout the city.

• Online: Electronic check or credit/debit cards
• Phone: Electronic check or credit/debit cards
• Mail: Check, cashier’s check, or money orders
• Payment Center: Check, cashier’s check, money order, credit/debit cards, or cash
• EZ Pay Station: Personal check, credit/debit cards, or cash

Payment Plans

If you can’t pay your full balance, Chicago offers payment plans. You can enroll online, by phone, or in-person. Payment plans allow you to break your balance into smaller installments over time.

Avoid Late Fees

Be sure to pay your bill by the due date to avoid late fees. Chicago charges a 1.25% penalty on late utility bills.

If you fall behind on payments, you may receive a notice threatening to shut off your water service within days. To avoid termination, you’ll need to pay immediately or get on a payment plan.

Notification of Estimated Bills

Sometimes the water department can’t get an actual meter reading and has to estimate your bill. This may happen if they can’t get an electronic reading or can’t physically access your meter.

If you receive an estimated bill but then get billed for much higher actual usage later, you can dispute the charges. Just contact Utility Billing to review possible errors. You still need to pay the estimated amount on time though.

Changing Your Account Name or Address

If you move, you’ll need to submit an address change to Utility Billing so your bills go to the right place. You can do this online through your account portal.

If ownership changes, the new owner will need to get a Full Payment Certificate transferred into their name as part of closing. This shifts utility billing responsibility to them.

Assistance for Low-Income Households

Chicago offers financial assistance for low-income households struggling to pay their water bills. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides grants to help cover bills.

You can also get discounted rates through the Utility Billing Hardship Program if you meet income eligibility rules.

Disputes and Refunds

If you think your bill is incorrect, don’t just ignore it! Contact Utility Billing right away to dispute the charges. While they investigate, you still need to pay the amount owed on time.

If they determine you were overcharged, you’ll receive a refund in the form of an account credit. To get a check refund, you need to submit a refund application with documentation.

Accessing Your Account Online

The easiest way to manage your Chicago water bill is through the online self-service portal. You can:

• View, download, or print bills
• Go paperless with e-bills
• Check payment history
• Make one-time payments
• Set up recurring autopay
• Monitor water usage

This allows you to stay on top of your billing and avoid surprises each month. Sign up for an online account as soon as possible.

Key Points to Remember

Here are some key takeaways when it comes to paying your Chicago water utility bill:

• Pay online for fastest processing and convenience
• Set up autopay or e-bills to stay organized
• Pay on time every month to avoid penalties
• Dispute suspected errors quickly
• Update your account with any address or ownership changes
• Explore financial assistance programs if needed
• Manage your account online for full control

Paying your Chicago water bill doesn’t need to be painful. Now that you know the process and all your options, you can pay with confidence and avoid hassles going forward. Reach out to Utility Billing with any other questions.