How to Pay Your Water Bill in Iowa City – A Complete Guide

Living in Iowa City gives you access to arts events, schools, and the charm of the Midwest. But since you live there, you also need to pay your water bill so that the service keeps going. You can easily pay your Iowa City water bill online, over the phone, through the mail, or in person. This complete guide will show you all the ways you can quickly and easily pay your Iowa City water bill.

Overview of Iowa City Water Utility Billing

The Iowa City water utility provides clean drinking water and sewer service to around 75,000 residents in Iowa City and some of Johnson County. Water meters are read and bills are calculated monthly based on your water usage.

Bills are released on the 10th of each month, and payment is due by the 28th to avoid late fees. If bills remain unpaid for multiple months, water service will be disconnected. That’s why it’s crucial to pay your Iowa City water bill fully and on time every month through one of these simple methods

• Online through the payment portal
• By phone through the automated system
• By mail by sending a check
• In person at City Hall
• Auto-pay bank account withdrawals

Below we will explore the step-by-step process to utilize each payment option making paying your monthly Iowa City water bill quick easy and stress-free.

Paying Online Through the Payment Portal

Going through the self-service payment portal is the fastest and easiest way to pay your Iowa City water bill. You can safely pay through the portal at any time of the day or night with a credit or debit card or an e-check.

Follow these simple steps to pay online:

1. Visit the payment portal website at https://www.icgov.org/residents/payment

2. Click on the “Water Bill Payment” button.

3. Enter your 10-digit account number without dashes. First-time users must register their account.

4. Select whether you want to make a one-time payment or set up recurring payments.

5. Choose your payment amount and payment method.

6. Provide your credit/debit card or checking account information.

7. Carefully review payment details before clicking Submit.

Once submitted, your water bill will immediately show as paid on your account. The online portal offers a contactless payment solution and gives you 24/7 account access.

Paying by Phone

For fast, automated payments, you can call the Iowa City Utility Billing’s pay-by-phone system anytime to pay your water bill.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Call 319-356-5066. This is the automated payment line.

2. Enter your 10-digit account number.

3. Choose a payment amount by pressing 1 for the total due or 2 to select your own amount.

4. Select your payment method by pressing 1 for credit/debit card or 2 for e-check.

5. Enter your card or checking account details.

6. Listen to the payment summary and press 1 to confirm and process the payment.

You’ll receive a confirmation number at the end verifying your payment. The bill will update as paid immediately. The automated system is quick and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Paying by Mail

To pay your Iowa City water bill by physical check or money order through the mail, follow these instructions:

1. Wait for your monthly paper bill to arrive by mail.

2. Detach the payment stub from the bottom of the bill.

3. Write a check or money order payable to City of Iowa City for the Total Due amount.

4. Write your account number on the memo line.

5. Place the payment and stub in an envelope addressed to City of Iowa City, PO Box 5127, Iowa City, IA 52244.

6. Mail at least 7-10 calendar days before the due date listed to allow for delivery time.

While paying by mail takes more effort and planning, it remains a viable option for those who prefer using physical checks or money orders. Just be sure to account for mailing time so payments arrive on time.

Paying in Person

You can also pay your Iowa City water utility bill by cash, check, or credit/debit card in person at the City Hall Utilities counter. City Hall is located at 410 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52240.

To pay in person:

• Visit City Hall Monday-Friday between 8AM-5PM.

• Take your bill or know your account number and total due amount.

• Be prepared to show identification.

• Payment can be made by cash, check, or card. Cards have a service fee.

In-person payment allows direct interaction with City staff but requires travelling to City Hall during business hours. You can also use the after-hours drop box to leave a check or money order.

Signing Up for Automatic Payments

For maximum convenience, you can enroll in automatic monthly payments to have your Iowa City water bill paid automatically on the due date via direct bank account withdrawals.

To start automatic bill pay:

1. Visit the online payment portal and log into your account.

2. Click on AutoPay under the My Account tab.

3. Enter your bank account information for withdrawals.

4. Check the authorization box and click Submit to activate automated payments.

Now each month on the 28th, your total billed amount will be automatically deducted from your configured bank account. Auto-pay saves time and gives peace of mind knowing payments are always on time. Just ensure sufficient account funds on withdrawal day.

Avoid Late Fees and Service Interruption

Having flexible payment options makes it simple to pay your Iowa City water bill each month. Just be sure to pay the full Total Due by the 28th of the month to avoid a $30 late fee.

If bills remain unpaid after one month, a past due notice will be sent stating water service will be shut off without payment. To restore service after disconnection, all past due amounts plus a $100 reconnection fee must be paid immediately. Don’t let it get to that point! Stay on top of payments to keep the water flowing.

Living in the culturally vibrant city of Iowa City is a privilege. Paying your monthly water bill keeps your household happily connected to the high-quality H2O supplying this thriving community. Use this guide to choose a convenient payment option that fits your lifestyle. The utility billing department stands ready to help at any time if you have questions or account issues. Reach them at 319-356-5066 or [email protected].