Paying your water bill is an essential responsibility for all residents and businesses in Hialeah. While it may seem like a routine task, there are a few things you should know to pay your water bill efficiently and avoid any late fees. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through all the details on how to pay your Hialeah water bill.
Overview of Hialeah Water Bills
The city of Hialeah provides water and sewer services to residents and charges for this service through monthly water bills These bills include charges for water usage, sewer service, recycling fees, stormwater fees, and taxes The city reads water meters and sends out bills monthly.
The amount of your water bill is based on your water usage measured in thousands of gallons (Kgal). The rate per Kgal depends on whether you are a residential or commercial customer. Residential customers are also charged a base facility charge each month.
Water bills in Hialeah are typically sent out in the first week of the month and are due by the 28th of each month. If your bill is not paid by the due date, a 10% late fee will be added to your account balance. The city will send late notices and can eventually shut off your water service for non-payment.
Checking Your Water Account Balance
You can check your current water account balance and payment history online through the city’s website. This allows you to monitor your usage and payments.
To check your balance online
- Go to www.hialeahfl.gov
- Click on “Make Payments” at the top of the page
- Select “Make Payments for Public Works”
- Click on “Account Balance”
- Enter your account number and 4-digit PIN
Your account balance, payment history, water usage, and next bill amount will be displayed. Tracking this information regularly makes it easier to budget for your water bill.
Payment Options for Hialeah Water Bills
The city offers several options for paying your water bill conveniently:
Pay Online
The easiest way to pay is through the city’s online payment system. You can make secure online payments using your checking account, credit card, or debit card.
To pay online:
- Go to www.hialeahfl.gov and click on “Make Payments”
- Choose “Make Payments for Public Works”
- Select “Bill Pay”
- Enter your account number and 4-digit PIN
- Choose a payment method and enter your payment information
- Confirm your payment details and submit
Online payments are processed instantly, so your account balance will update right away. You will receive a confirmation email with your payment details. Paying online saves time and gives you peace of mind that your bill is paid on time.
Pay by Phone
Call the city’s payment line at (305) 556-3800 (option 4) to pay your water bill over the phone. You will need to provide your account number, PIN, and credit/debit card information. Phone payments are processed immediately.
Pay by Mail
If you prefer, you can mail in a check or money order payable to the City of Hialeah Utility Billing. Include your account number on the check memo. Use the payment stub from your water bill or write your account number on the check.
Payments should be mailed to:
City of Hialeah Utilities
PO Box 912820
Denver, CO 80291-2820
Allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to be processed and avoid late fees by mailing at least 7 days before the due date.
Pay in Person
You can pay your water bill in person at the City of Hialeah Public Works office at:
3700 West 4th Ave
Hialeah, FL 33012
Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm. The drive-thru is open from 7:00am to 5:00pm. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards. Come prepared with your account number, PIN, and payment. In person payments are processed right away.
Recurring Payments
For hassle-free bill pay, enroll in recurring payments through the online billing system. You can set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account or credit card. Payments will be made automatically each month for the statement balance, so you don’t have to remember to pay on time.
To enroll:
- Go to www.hialeahfl.gov and click “Make Payments”
- Choose “Make Payments for Public Works”
- Select “Bill Pay”
- Enter account number and PIN
- Click “Recurring Payments”
- Enter your payment information
- Select payment date and frequency
- Agree to terms and submit
Review the recurring payment confirmation and start avoiding late fees!
What to Do If You Cannot Pay Your Bill
If you are struggling to pay your water bill, contact the city right away to discuss payment plan options. You may qualify for a payment extension or installment plan that spreads payments over several months.
The city also offers discounted bills for low income seniors and disabled customers through their HELP Program.
As a last resort if you cannot pay, request to have your service temporarily turned off to pause billing and avoid extra fees. Make sure to call back when you are able to pay the past due balance so your service can be restored. Acting quickly prevents your account from being sent to collections or having a lien placed on your property for unpaid bills.
Avoid Late Fees with Reminders
Since water bills are only sent out once per month, it’s easy to forget your due date. Set up reminders to help you pay on time each month:
- Mark your due date on your calendar
- Set a reminder in your planner or phone
- Sign up for text or email reminders through your online account
- Enroll in autopay through your bank or Hialeah’s website
- Pay as soon as you receive your bill to stay on track
Getting your payment in by the 28th of each month avoids expensive late fees so you don’t pay extra.
Changes to Your Hialeah Water Service
If you need to start, stop, or transfer water service in Hialeah, contact the Public Works department by phone at (305) 556-3800 option 4 or visit the office at 3700 West 4th Ave.
To start new service when moving in, you will need to provide the service address and date, your name, contact information, and driver’s license number. A deposit may be required to open your account.
To stop service, call at least 3 days before your move out date to schedule shut off and provide a forwarding address. Your final bill will be sent to you with any deposit refund due.
To transfer service to a new name, both parties will need to be present at the Public Works office and show identification. Ownership/lease verification is required.
Keeping your account information current ensures proper billing as your circumstances change.
Disputing Your Water Bill
If you notice an unusually high water bill, don’t panic. First, check your home for leaks and review your usage history online for discrepancies. If you find no cause for the high balance, contact Public Works right away to dispute the bill.
Provide proof of leak repairs or past average usage to back up your dispute. The city will investigate usage on their end and may adjust your bill if an error occurred. Don’t let a faulty bill go unpaid – make sure to dispute inaccurate charges promptly to avoid penalties.
Hialeah Water Assistance Programs
Hialeah offers programs to help residents who are struggling to pay their water and sewer bills including:
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HELP Program: Offers a discounted utility rate for seniors age 65+ and disabled customers meeting income limits. Apply at www.hialeahfl.gov/116/Water-Sewer.
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LIHEAP: Provides assistance paying water/sewer bills for households meeting 150% of poverty guidelines. Apply through Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services.
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Emergency Utility Assistance: Temporary help for families facing hardship. Apply through Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services.
Contact the Public Works office to learn about eligibility and how to apply. Don’t let past due bills pile up without seeking assistance first.
Key Takeaways
- Monitor your water usage and account balance online
- Pay your bill online, by phone, mail or in person
- Set reminders to avoid late fees
- Notify Public Works with any service changes
- Dispute any billing errors promptly
- Ask about assistance programs if struggling to pay
Paying your monthly water bill is easy with Hialeah’s convenient online and in-person options. Following these tips will help you stay on track with payments and avoid extra fees. Reach out to the city’s Public Works department with any questions on your account. Keeping open communication ensures the