How to Pay Your New Castle County Sewer Bill

Paying your sewer bill is an important responsibility for homeowners and residents in New Castle County, Delaware. This guide will explain everything you need to know about understanding managing and paying your New Castle County sewer bill.

Overview of New Castle County Sewer Billing

New Castle County takes care of sewer services for residents and charges a fee every year. Here are some key points about New Castle County sewer billing:

• Bills are sent out once per year in January for the full calendar year For example, the bill sent in January 2023 will cover service from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

• Bills are based on your actual water usage over the prior 12 months, as well as a fixed charge based on your meter size.

• The total sewer charge on your bill covers sewer maintenance, operations, capital improvements, and administrative costs.

• The county figures out your sewer fees by getting information about how much water you use from your local water company.

• The typical due date is the end of February. New Castle County may change the due date, though, if mail delivery is late.

• Residential bills are usually $500-600 per year. Commercial property bills are higher.

• If you have questions about your bill, you can contact New Castle County at 302-395-5340.

When and How Sewer Bills Are Sent Out

• Sewer bills are mailed out annually in mid-January.

• The county mails your sewer bill to the billing address listed for your property.

• If you need to update your billing address, you can submit this Billing Address Change Form to New Castle County.

• The due date for payment is typically the end of February. However, the county may extend the due date a few weeks if there are mail delivery delays.

• If you don’t receive your bill by mid-February, contact the county at 302-395-5340. You can also look up your bill online.

Understanding the Charges on Your Sewer Bill

Your New Castle County sewer bill includes several charges. Here’s what the charges mean:

• Usage fee – This covers the cost of treating your wastewater. It’s based on your actual water usage over the prior 12 months. The county gets your usage data from your local water company.

• Meter charge – This is a fixed charge that depends on the size of your water meter. It helps cover infrastructure and administrative costs.

• Maintenance charge – This fixed fee helps pay for preventative maintenance and repairs to keep the sewer system working properly.

• Debt service charge – This goes towards paying off bonds issued to fund capital sewer projects.

• Administrative charge – This fixed fee covers administrative costs for billing, customer service, etc.

• Bay Restoration Fee – This state-mandated fee helps fund projects to restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Options for Paying Your Sewer Bill

You have several options for paying your New Castle County sewer bill:

• Online – Pay online through the county’s Online Payment Center. You can use a credit card, debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or bank account e-check.

• Phone – Call the payment provider Paymentus at 877-225-7351 to pay over the phone with a card or e-check.

• Mail – Send a check or money order using the self-addressed return envelope provided with your bill. Make sure to send to the proper lockbox address printed on the envelope.

• In person – Drop off a payment at the secure drop box at the New Castle County Government Center.

• Auto-pay – Set up monthly auto-payments from your bank account through the county treasury office.

Paying Your Bill in Installments

If you cannot pay your entire sewer bill at once, you may make installment payments:

• Online or phone payments allow you to split the total into multiple transactions.

• Consider enrolling in monthly auto-pay through your bank account to make automatic payments.

• You can mail in partial payments anytime before the due date. Be sure to note it is a partial payment.

• An unpaid balance will accrue interest, so pay off as much as you can by the due date.

What to Do if You Can’t Pay Your Bill

If you are having difficulty paying your sewer bill, here are some options:

• Contact New Castle County at 302-395-5340 to explain your situation and request an extension.

• Payment plans may be available for those who qualify. Ask about applying for a payment plan.

• The county can connect you with local assistance programs or non-profits that may be able to help.

• Make partial payments as you are able so you don’t fall further behind. Prioritize paying the fixed charges first if possible.

• As a last resort, you may qualify for a waiver of interest or penalties on a delinquent balance if you have extenuating circumstances.

Avoiding Late Fees and Collections

To avoid late fees and collections, be sure to pay your bill by the due date:

• A 10% late fee is assessed if payment is not received within 30 days of the due date.

• Accounts over 90 days past due are sent to the county’s collection agency. Additional fees apply.

• Service may ultimately be terminated for failure to pay, but only after multiple written notices.

• Avoid extra fees and damage to your credit by paying on time. Contact the county immediately if you anticipate difficulty paying.

Prepaying Your Sewer Bill

New Castle County allows you to prepay your sewer bill in advance:

• Prepayments are applied as credits to your next bill.

• You can prepay any amount at any time to reduce your balance due.

• To prepay, enroll in monthly auto-pay, use an online bill pay service through your bank, or mail in prepayment checks.

• Note your parcel number on prepayments so the county can properly credit your account.

• Prepaying helps avoid a large lump sum bill and may earn interest at your bank.

Getting a Refund for Overpayment

If you believe you overpaid your sewer bill, you can request a refund:

• Download and submit the [Sewer Payment Refund Request Form](https://www.newcastlede.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4661/Refund-Request