How to Pay Your Water Bill in Madera, CA

Paying your water bill is an essential part of being a resident in Madera, CA The City of Madera provides water service to residents and businesses, and they make the payment process easy As a Madera resident myself, I want to walk through the various ways you can pay your Madera water bill, discuss rates and fees, and provide tips for saving money on your water service.

Ways to Pay Your Madera Water Bill

The City of Madera offers several convenient ways to pay your water bill each month.

• Online Payment – The easiest way is to pay online through the City’s payment portal. You’ll need to register an account using your account number and customer ID from your water bill. Once registered, you can pay by e-check for free or credit/debit card for a fee.

• Phone Payment – Call the automated phone payment system at 877-360-3479. You’ll need to enter your account and customer ID numbers to process the payment. There is a $3.85 convenience fee per transaction.

• Mail-In Payment – Send a check or money order payable to City of Madera Utility Billing Department at 205 W 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637. Be sure to include your remittance stub.

• Drop Boxes – The City has drop boxes at City Hall and Fire Station #56. Drop off your payment with remittance stub before the due date.

• In-Person – Visit the Utility Billing counter at City Hall to pay with cash, check, credit/debit card, or money order.

• ACH Withdrawal – Set up automatic monthly payments through your bank account Complete the ACH authorization form and submit a voided check to the Utility Billing Department

I personally like to use the online payment system for the convenience but the automated phone system is great when I’m on the go. The option to pay by mail or use a drop box also comes in handy when time is short before the bill due date.

Understanding Your Water Bill

Before paying your water bill, it helps to understand what charges are included and how rates are calculated. There are two main parts of your water bill – the base service charge and the commodity usage charge based on the amount of water used.

The base service charge covers basic costs like meter reading, billing, customer service, infrastructure maintenance and repairs. This charge is fixed based on your meter size.

The commodity usage charge depends on the amount of water you use during the billing period. The City uses an increasing block rate structure, so your rate per unit (748 gallons) increases as you use more water. Rates are tiered as follows:

• Tier 1: 0-10 units – $1.064 per unit

• Tier 2: 11-22 units – $1.268 per unit

• Tier 3: 23-44 units – $1.472 per unit

• Tier 4: 45+ units – $1.676 per unit

So if you use an average of 15 units of water, your rate would be $1.064 for the first 10 units and $1.268 for the remaining 5 units. The more you conserve, the less you’ll pay per unit!

Your water bill may also include separate charges for sewer service, refuse collection, street sweeping, and taxes/fees. Understanding each component can help you budget and reduce costs where possible.

Tips for Reducing Your Water Bill

Here are some tips to lower your water usage and save money on water bills in Madera:

• Install water-efficient toilets, faucets, showerheads, and appliances. Look for the WaterSense label.

• Use drip irrigation and low-flow sprinkler heads for outdoor watering. Water early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.

• Let your lawn go brown and dormant in summer. Don’t overwater just to keep it green.

• Fix leaks promptly! A small leak can waste hundreds of gallons per month.

• Take shorter showers and turn off water when brushing teeth or shaving.

• Run full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher. Scrape dishes rather than rinsing.

• Wash your car at a commercial car wash that recycles water. Don’t use a hose.

• Use mulch around plants and trees to retain moisture.

• Replace grass with drought-tolerant plants native to Madera’s climate.

Even small changes can lead to big savings on your water bill over time. And you’ll be conserving precious water resources for our community. The City’s water conservation program also offers rebates on water-efficient upgrades to help offset costs.

Understanding Billing Cycles, Due Dates, and Late Fees

The City of Madera bills residents for water service at the beginning of each month. Your bill covers usage from the prior month’s meter read.

Payment is due by the 25th of the month to avoid late fees. A 10% penalty is added to any outstanding balance after the 25th. The late fee and any unpaid charges also accrue 1.5% monthly interest until paid.

If your payment is late, the fees will show up on your next bill. But you can avoid late fees by paying on time through one of the methods discussed above. Sign up for e-billing and automated payments to prevent forgetting and ensure on-time payments.

Getting Help with High Water Bills

If your water usage and bill seem exceptionally high, don’t panic. Here are some steps to take:

• Rule out leaks by checking your meter when all water fixtures are shut off. If it’s still running, you likely have a leak.

• Contact the City to check for billing errors or meter issues. They can investigate on their end.

• Compare usage to the same billing cycles last year. Summer heat usually increases usage through irrigation.

• Ask about payment plan options if you need help catching up on a high balance.

• Request a water usage review to identify the problem. The City can check equipment and provide conservation advice.

• For low income residents, inquire about available utility assistance programs. These can help qualified households pay water bills.

The City of Madera wants to help residents maintain water service. Reach out to their customer service department at 559-661-5459 if you need bill assistance or want to understand usage changes. Conserving water and fixing leaks will also keep your costs in check.

Setting Up Automatic Payments

To avoid late fees and free yourself from bill reminders, enroll in automatic payments through the City’s ebilling system. You can set up recurring bank account withdrawals (ACH) directly from your account dashboard.

To get started, complete the ACH authorization form available on the City’s website or by calling the billing department. Submit the signed form with a voided check from your chosen bank account.

Once set up, your bill amount will automatically be deducted from your bank account each month on the due date. You’ll receive an e-bill for your records but don’t have to take any action. It provides peace of mind that your bill is always paid on time!

Moving In or Out of Madera? Opening or Closing Your Water Account

If you’re moving to a new home in Madera, you’ll need to open a new water account with the City before your move-in date. This ensures service is connected for you on day one.

To open an account, complete the water service application and pay the $23 application fee. This can be done by phone, email, fax, mail, or in person. Provide valid ID and other required documents listed on the application.

When moving out, close your account by submitting a termination request in writing. Indicate your shut-off date and provide a forwarding address for your final bill or deposit refund. Until the City receives this request, you’re responsible for additional charges to the account.

Making these arrangements ahead of your move will ensure a smooth transition of your water service. The Madera Utility Billing department stands ready to help with any questions about opening or closing accounts.

Contacting the City of Madera Utility Billing Department

The Madera Utility Billing team is available to assist customers with all water service needs. Contact them at:

Address: 205 W 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637

Phone: (559) 661-5459

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

The customer service team can answer billing questions, set up new service, process payments, and handle water account maintenance. Reach out to them by phone or email if you ever need assistance with your City of Madera water bill.

Paying Your Water Bill is Easy in Madera

Monitoring your usage, fixing leaks, and conserving water are also great ways to control costs. And enrolling in automatic payments eliminates the worry of remembering to pay each month. Contact the Madera Utility Billing Department if you ever have questions