Having access to clean, safe water is vital for our daily lives To maintain water infrastructure and operations, the city of Lake Jackson provides this essential service for residents and charges a monthly water bill Read on for a comprehensive guide to paying your Lake Jackson water bill conveniently online.
Overview of Lake Jackson Water Billing
The city of Lake Jackson is responsible for water service for residents and businesses located within Lake Jackson city limits The Public Works department handles the operations, maintenance and billing related to water
Customers are billed monthly for water service based on metered usage. Water meters are read around the 20th of each month. The bills are sent out by the first of the next month and are due by the 21st.
There is no late fee if payment is received by the due date. Accounts past due will incur a 10% penalty on the balance. Payments received after cutoff date are charged a $25 delinquent fee. Failure to pay may result in water service suspension.
Checking Your Water Usage
Lake Jackson’s water bills are made up of two main parts: a fixed monthly base rate and a usage charge that is based on how much water is used. The usage charge makes up the bulk of your monthly water bill.
It’s important to monitor your household’s water usage regularly. Compare it month-to-month to spot any spikes that likely indicate leaks or excessive use.
Check your water bill or online account to see usage measured in gallons along with meter readings. Take measures to reduce use if you see spikes. Installing water-efficient fixtures, fixing leaks, and adjusting landscaping practices can help cut usage and lower water bills.
Accessing Your Water Bill Details Online
The city offers a convenient online portal for residents to access water account details and make payments. Here are the steps to view your water bill online:
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Go to the online payment portal.
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Enter your 10-digit account number located on your water bill statement.
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The dashboard displays account balance, amount due, due date and usage graph.
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Click “View Bill” to see a detailed statement with all charges, meter readings, and comparisons to previous bills.
You can also see pending payments, account history, billing address and other details. The online portal makes it easy to monitor your water usage and charges regularly.
Paying Your Water Bill Online
Lake Jackson offers several options to pay your water bill conveniently without having to mail payments or visit City Hall.
Pay via the Online Portal
The easiest way is to make secure online payments via the customer portal:
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Log in to your water account.
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Click “Make Payment” and enter payment amount.
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Select payment method – credit/debit card or e-check.
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Enter details and submit payment.
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The portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express cards for a small 2.95% fee.
Pay via the Mobile App
You can also make payments on-the-go via the Lake Jackson mobile app for Android and Apple devices. Just download the app and you can quickly view bills and pay using your preferred payment method.
AutoPay
For hassle-free payments every month, you can enroll in automatic payments through the online portal. Your bill amount will be deducted on the due date from your chosen bank account.
Pay by Phone
Call the utility billing office at 979-415-2413 during business hours to make check or card payments over the phone.
Pay by Mail
Mail a check or money order payable to City of Lake Jackson with your water bill stub to:
City of Lake Jackson
Attn: Utility Billing
P.O. Box 519
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Allow 5 business days for mailed payments to avoid late fees. Include your account number on the check.
Payment Assistance Programs
If you are facing financial hardship and unable to pay your water bill, Lake Jackson offers payment assistance programs:
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Payment arrangements can be set up to pay past due balances over multiple installments.
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Senior citizen and disability discounts are available for qualifying low-income residents.
Contact the utility billing department to learn more about available payment assistance options. Communicate with them if you anticipate any issues with bill payment.
Avoiding Water Shutoff
Failure to pay water bills will eventually lead to water service shutoff. This can disrupt your daily life and lead to additional fees for reconnection.
Follow these tips to avoid potential water shutoff:
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Pay bill amount in full by due date each month. Sign up for reminders.
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Look into payment assistance if you are unable to pay full balance.
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If you are temporarily out of town, make arrangements to have someone pay bills on your behalf.
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Update billing address if you move houses to avoid missing bills.
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Set up text/email alerts to get notified for past due accounts.
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Contact utility billing department about alternative payment options before the shutoff date.
Taking proactive measures will help avoid the major inconvenience of water shutoff while maintaining your good credit standing with the city.
What to Do If Your Water is Shut Off
If you find your water has been shut off by the city for non-payment, here are the steps to take:
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Contact utility billing office immediately to discuss reconnection.
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Pay the past due balance on your account plus reconnection fee.
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Make arrangements to pay future bills on time to avoid repeat shutoff.
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Request an extension or alternate payment schedule if you are unable to pay full past due amount.
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Learn about available financial assistance programs if you are facing hardship.
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Change account settings to receive shutoff alerts in the future.
Reconnection of water service usually occurs within 1 business day after past due payments have been processed. Avoid the headaches of shutoff by paying bills on time every month.
Monitoring Water Usage to Lower Bills
Water bills vary monthly based on consumption. Here are some tips to monitor and reduce usage in order to lower your water bills:
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Track your daily water usage by reading your water meter. Identify times of heavy use.
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Install water-efficient showerheads, faucets and toilets. Fix any leaks.
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Adjust automatic irrigation schedules based on weather and landscape needs.
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Cut down on outdoor watering in cooler months and when it rains.
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Run full loads in dishwasher and washing machine. Avoid excess use.
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Compare bills with neighbors to check if your usage is exceptionally high.
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Review bills regularly and contact the city if you see abnormal spikes in usage.
With some adjustments to water habits, most households can significantly cut usage which will directly lower their water bills.
Understanding Water Rates and Fees
Water bills in Lake Jackson consist of a fixed monthly base charge and a volumetric usage charge based on the utility rates. Here are the current rates:
Fixed Base Charge
This covers basic costs of service and operations. It is a fixed fee per month based on your meter size:
| Meter Size | Monthly Base Charge |
|---|---|
| 5/8″ or 3/4″ | $18.48 |
| 1″ | $32.98 |
| 1.5″ | $55.95 |
| 2″ | $77.91 |
| 3″ | $141.47 |
| 4″ | $232.80 |
Usage Charge
This makes up the bulk of your bill based on consumption. The rate structure is tiered.
| Usage Amount | Rate per 1,000 Gallons |
|---|---|
| First 6,000 gallons | $3.45 |
| Next 6,000 gallons | $3.95 |
| Over 12,000 gallons | $4.38 |
Wastewater Charge
This is based on your water consumption at a rate of $5.49 per 1,000 gallons.
There are also one-time connection and disconnection fees. Comparing the rate structure with your usage will help understand charges.
Finding Billing and Payment Support
Lake Jackson aims to make the billing and payment process smooth for all water customers. Here’s how to find support:
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Contact Utility Billing office at 979-415-2413 or [email protected]
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Visit the Utility Billing office at City Hall in downtown Lake Jackson
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Email support requests via the online portal
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Refer to FAQs and how-to guides on the city website
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Schedule an appointment to discuss complex billing issues
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Call City Hall main office at 979-415-2400 for general assistance
The utility billing staff are available to help resolve any bill-related issues and ensure customers have a positive experience.
Understanding your water bill
Lake Jackson water customers receive eight 28-day billing periods and four 35-day billing periods.
If you suddenly see a higher amount in your bill, check the number of days you have been billed for. You could have a bill for the longer cycle. If you still need help, you can contact our water billing department at 979-415-2434 so they can review your bill.
Cycles and Due Dates
Lake Jackson is divided into four sections for billing, called cycles. Water utility bills are processed and mailed out for one of the four cycles each Friday. Each cycle has its due date which always falls on a Tuesday.
Cycle 1 is the first Tuesday of the month by 2 p.m. Cycle 2 is the second Tuesday of the month by 2 p.m. Cycle 3 is the third Tuesday of the month by 2 p.m. Cycle 4 is the fourth Tuesday of the month by 2 p.m.
How Do You Get Your Water Bill? (Ask Lake Jackson | Municipal Q&A)
FAQ
How to check for a water bill?
Does Lake Jackson, Texas have a lake?
Why is my Houston water bill so high?