How to Pay Your North City Water District Bill Online, by Mail, or In-Person

It is important that as a North City Water District customer you pay your water bill on time every month. North City Water District serves thousands of people every day who depend on clean running water. They are the main water service provider in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, Washington.

Having options on how to pay your bill conveniently and on-time can make a huge difference. At North City Water District we provide various simple ways to pay each month – online by phone, by mail, or in-person. I’ll explain the step-by-step process for each method, as well as highlight the advantages and things to look out for.

Paying Online

The quickest and easiest way for most customers is paying your North City Water District bill online. Here’s how it works:

• Go to the North City Water District website at northcitywater.org.

• Click on the “Pay Your Bill” link at the top of the page. This will take you to the payment portal.

• Enter your 10-digit account number and 4-digit PIN number. These can be found printed on your monthly paper bill.

• Choose whether you want to pay the full balance or a partial payment.

• Enter your debit or credit card information and complete the payment.

Paying online is fast, secure, and lets you avoid mailing in checks or driving to the office Your payment will post to your account immediately after the transaction is completed.

The online payment system is available 24/7, so you can pay your bill anytime before the due date Just be aware of processing delays on weekends or holidays

I always recommend paying a few days early online to ensure your payment processes in time, avoiding late fees. Setting up autopay through your bank account is also an option for easy recurring payments.

Paying by Phone

If you prefer to speak to a customer service representative, paying your water bill by phone is easy. Here are the steps:

• Call the North City Water District office at 206-362-8100.

• Select option #3 for the billing department.

• When prompted, enter your 10-digit account number.

• Choose whether to pay the full balance or a partial payment amount.

• Provide your debit or credit card information to the representative.

After the payment processes, you’ll receive a confirmation number for your records. Paying by phone provides more personal service compared to online payments.

Just keep in mind that call center hours are limited, so you’ll want to call during regular business hours of Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Waiting on hold could result in longer call times as well.

Paying by Mail

For customers who don’t have internet access or prefer mailed check payments, sending your payment via US Mail is a reliable option. Here’s how to pay your North City Water District bill by mail:

• Write your 10-digit account number on the check or money order.

• Make it payable to North City Water District.

• Mail it to PO Box 55367, Shoreline, WA 98155.

• Allow 5-7 business days for standard US Mail delivery before the due date.

One advantage of mailing payments is the paper trail and peace of mind knowing your check was sent. Just make sure to account for mailing and processing time. I recommend sending your payment at least 7-10 days before the due date as an extra buffer.

Putting your bill in the mail the day before it’s due is risky and could result in late fees. You can also use bill pay through your bank which mails a check on your behalf.

Paying In-Person

For those who live nearby, North City Water District offers in-person payment options at our office location:

• Drive-up service window open during regular business hours of Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

• After-hours drop box available 24/7 to the left of the front doors.

• Pay inside at the front desk during business hours as well.

When paying in-person, be sure to have your 10-digit account number. Cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards are accepted. You’ll receive a printed receipt as proof of payment.

Paying at the office allows you to take care of other needs like starting/stopping service, billing questions, etc. However, lines and wait times can be longer during peak times of the month. I recommend paying in-person only if you have other business to handle.

Payment Due Dates and Late Fees

At North City Water District, residential bills are issued monthly and payment is due 15 days after the billing date. For example, if your billing date is January 1st, payment is due by January 16th to avoid late fees.

Commercial accounts have due dates 30 days after the billing date. Late fees are assessed if payment is not received by the due date:

• Residential accounts – $10 late fee

• Commercial accounts – 2% of the past due balance

If your payment will be late, call North City Water District immediately to see if an extension can be granted. I always recommend signing up for email bill reminders so you never miss a due date.

Avoid Water Shutoff with Payment Arrangements

Falling behind on payments can eventually lead to water service being disconnected. Here are some options if you anticipate missing a payment:

• Call North City Water District at 206-362-8100 as soon as possible to set up a payment plan if you’ll be late paying your bill. Being proactive is key.

• Payment plans allow you to pay the past due balance in installments over time. This avoids shutoff.

• Ask about other bill assistance programs you may qualify for based on income, employment status, or medical needs.

• In dire circumstances, limited emergency bill assistance funds may be available.

Water shutoffs are a last resort if payment arrangements cannot be made. I advise contacting North City Water District right away if you are struggling to pay your bill to discuss flexible solutions. Don’t wait until service is disconnected.

Moving? Opening or Closing an Account

If you’re a new resident to the North City Water District service area, you’ll need to open a water account prior to your move-in date. This initiates service and billing in your name.

Conversely, if you’re moving out of the area, you must close your account. This cancels service and stops billing charges once you vacate. Here are tips for opening and closing accounts:

• Schedule date to start/stop service at least 5 business days in advance.

• Provide new address and contact information when opening an account.

• Provide forwarding address for final bill when closing an account.

• Be present at scheduled time so water can be turned on/off by field staff.

• New customers must pay a deposit based on service size to open account.

• Expect 2-3 week delay for final bill after closing account.

Knowing the proper ways to initiate, change, or cancel service ensures correct billing and avoids unnecessary charges or disruption to your household. I recommend contacting North City Water District directly with any account changes.

In Summary

With choices like online, phone, mail, or in-person, paying is quick and convenient. Just be sure to account for processing and mail time when paying close to your due date. Set reminders for yourself as well.

If you anticipate having trouble paying on-time, call North City Water District as soon as possible to set up flexible payment arrangements. This will help avoid expensive late fees or service interruption.

Knowing how to properly open, change, or close an account as you move is also key. With these bill payment tips in mind, you can manage your North City Water District account with confidence. Reliable water service is vital – be sure your bill is paid properly and on-time each month.