Having access to clean, reliable water is a necessity we often take for granted But keeping water service running requires residents to pay their share by regularly settling water bills This comprehensive guide covers everything Montgomery County, Texas residents need to know about convenient ways to pay water utility bills.
Overview of Water Service in Montgomery County
Montgomery County provides water service to unincorporated county areas through five Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) These MUDs bill residents monthly and the bills include usage-based water charges plus flat service fees. Bills are mailed out around the 20th of each month and due by the 10th of the following month
The five Montgomery County MUDs are:
- MUD 6
- MUD 7
- MUD 9
- MUD 46
- MUD 47
The city of Montgomery handles water service for city residents. Montgomery bills bimonthly and also charges service and volume-based water fees.
Paying Your Water Bill in Montgomery County
Residents have several options for paying Montgomery County and Montgomery city water bills conveniently
Pay Water Bills Online
The easiest way to pay your Montgomery County or Montgomery city water bill is online through the utility website.
For county MUDs, go to MCMUD15.com and click “Pay Water Bill”. You can pay using credit/debit cards, e-checks or digital wallet.
For Montgomery city accounts, visit MontgomeryTexas.gov and click “Online Bill Pay”. Pay via credit/debit card or e-check.
Online payments post instantly to avoid late fees. You can also set up automatic payments.
Pay via Mail
Mail a check or money order payment to the address printed on your water bill. Allow 7-10 days for mailed payments to process. Include payment stub or write your account number on the check.
Pay in Person
Visit the MUD office or Montgomery City Hall utility department to pay your water bill in person with cash, check or card. In-person payments process same-day.
Pay via Phone
Call the MUD billing office at 281-367-5511 or Montgomery utility department at 936-597-3275 to pay your water bill over the phone. Have your account information and card ready.
Other Payment Options
Some banks allow you to pay bills online via their bill pay service. Or you can visit authorized pay stations like H-E-B, Fiesta Mart, or CVS Pharmacy where you can pay with cash or card. A convenience fee may apply to pay station payments.
Tips for Paying Your Water Bill on Time
Paying on time avoids penalties and service disruption. Follow these tips:
- Mark due dates on your calendar and set reminders.
- Enroll in text/email billing reminders.
- Allow 5-7 days for mailed payments.
- Go paperless with eBills to avoid mail delays.
- Sign up for autopay to have bills paid automatically every month.
- Pay a few days early in case of processing delays.
Setting reminders and automating payments ensures you never miss a water bill payment.
What Happens If You Pay Your Water Bill Late?
If you miss the due date, a 10% late fee is added to your current water charges. At 30 days past due, a termination notice is issued with a $10 fee and service is subject to disconnection unless the full past due amount is paid immediately.
Reconnection after water shutoff incurs a $50 fee during business hours ($100 after hours). Service remains off until past dues and fees are settled.
Avoid headaches by paying your water bill on time every month. Late fees and service disruption are expensive inconveniences.
Can You Make Partial Water Bill Payments?
Yes, you can pay part of your balance early in the month and then pay the remainder before the due date. However, the full account balance must be paid to avoid late fees. The online payment portal shows your remaining balance due after partial payments.
Note that autopay will still deduct the full billed amount on the due date regardless of partial payments. You must adjust the autopay amount accordingly.
Are There Payment Assistance Programs Available?
Qualifying low-income families can receive help paying water bills through:
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LIHEAP – Federal assistance program that helps pay home energy bills, including water.
-
Project SHARE – Montgomery County program that provides emergency water bill aid.
Contact the utility billing office for information on enrolling in these programs if you are struggling to cover water bills.
Payment assistance is available to ensure all families maintain access to essential water service. Beyond financial help, conserve water and promptly report any leaks to reduce your monthly water bill.
Can You Contest Unexpectedly High Water Bills?
If your water bill spikes much higher than normal, don’t panic. First, rule out causes like leaks, house guests increasing usage, or filling a pool. If it’s clearly an unexplained spike, contact the water utility billing office right away to have your meter double checked for issues and to investigate the charges. Provide past bills showing your normal usage.
Note when exactly the spike occurred. Check for leaks starting around that time. Capture meter readings first thing in the morning and before bed to pinpoint abnormal water flows.
If the meter was misread, the bill can be adjusted accordingly. Don’t wait – act quickly to understand the cause and rectify unfair bills.
Avoiding Water Service Scams and Fraud
Unfortunately, scammers sometimes prey on residents with fraudulent calls and emails related to water service. Be wary of:
- Calls demanding immediate payment to avoid shutoff. Real utilities mail notices well in advance.
- Calls asking for prepaid debit cards as bill payment. Utilities never demand unusual forms of payment.
- Emails with fake water utility logos and links requesting you to verify account info. Utility emails come from verified .gov or .com domains.
- Door-to-door solicitors requesting to inspect your water. Utilities always provide ID badges and marked vehicles.
When in doubt, call the utility directly to verify the situation. Never click links or call numbers provided by suspicious communications.
Customer Service Contacts for Water Bill Help
Don’t hesitate to contact utility billing offices with any questions about your water service charges or to get payment assistance:
Montgomery MUDs: 281-367-5511
City of Montgomery: 936-597-3275
The utility staff is available Monday-Friday during business hours to help residents with all aspects of water billing and payments.
Paying your water bill keeps safe, reliable water flowing to your home. Follow this guide to pay bills on time and leverage available assistance programs if needed. Maintaining good standing water service benefits your entire household.
Set Up New Service
- Log onto https://moc.starnik.net to access the online payment portal.
Did you know that Montgomery County Municipal Utility District 89 (MCMUD89) has been implementing electronic meters throughout the District in order to remotely read your water meter? Did you also know that with this service, MCMUD89 also allows you to monitor your water usage? This service is now available to MCMUD89 customers through Eye On Water. Eye On Water gives you direct access to your water usage details and provides tools to help you use water more efficiently. Eye On Water lets you see how much water you’re using and can even alert you to possible leaks on your property.
To access Eye On Water, visit www.eyeonwater.com.
City Council member George Forbes on paying water bill (**ck that bill)
FAQ
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