How to Pay Your Public Works & Utilities Bill in Wichita, KS

The Public Works & Utilities department oversees essential services like water sewer sanitation, and stormwater management for the city of Wichita. As a customer, it’s important to know how to quickly and easily pay your utility bill each month. This comprehensive guide will walk through the entire process.

Overview of Public Works & Utilities

The Public Works & Utilities department provides:

• Drinking water supply and distribution
• Wastewater treatment
• Solid waste disposal and recycling
• Stormwater drainage system management

They serve residential commercial, and industrial customers within Wichita city limits. Services are billed monthly based on metered usage and fees.

On your Public Works & Utilities bill you’ll see charges for

• Water usage
• Sewer usage
• Stormwater fee
• Solid waste fee
• Other taxes and fees

Bills are issued around the 20th of each month and due by the 10th of the following month. There are several ways to pay your utility bill conveniently.

Payment Options for Public Works & Utilities Bills

The city offers flexibility in how and where you pay your monthly utility bill:

Pay Online

The easiest way to pay is through the online payment portal. You can go to wichita.gov and click on the “Pay Water Bill” link.

With online bill pay you can:

• Check your balance
• View payment history
• Pay immediately by credit/debit card or e-check
• Set up autopay

You’ll need your 10-digit account number from your bill. A small service fee applies.

Pay by Phone

Call 1-844-843-6829 to use the automated phone payment system. Payments can be made by credit/debit card or e-check. The same small phone payment fee applies.

Pay by Mail

Detach the payment stub from your paper utility bill and mail it along with a personal check or money order to:

City of Wichita
P.O. Box 2169
Wichita, KS 67201

Allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments.

Pay in Person

Bring your bill to the Public Works & Utilities office at 455 N Main St to pay in person. They accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards.

Enroll in AutoPay

For hands-off convenience, enroll in auto-pay through the online portal to have payments automatically deducted from your bank account each month. You’ll still receive a bill for your records.

When and How to Pay Your Utility Bill

Now let’s walk through the step-by-step process to pay your Public Works & Utilities bill on time every month:

1. Receive Your Utility Bill

Bills are mailed out around the 20th of each month and typically arrive within 5-7 business days. If you don’t get your bill, call the city to verify your mailing address is correct.

2. Review Your Bill

Open your utility bill and look over all the details carefully. Your bill should include:

• Account number
• Service address
• Billing date
• Previous & current meter readings
• Usage amounts
• Rates
• Total amount due
• Due date

If anything looks incorrect, contact the utility billing office right away to get discrepancies fixed, before the due date.

3. Select Your Payment Method

Decide how you want to pay your bill:

• Online
• By phone
• Mail in the payment stub
• In person at the utility office
• Through auto-pay if enrolled

Choose the most convenient option for your needs each month.

4. Pay Your Bill Before the Due Date

Wichita utility bills are due on the 10th of each month. Make sure payment is received (not just mailed) by the 10th to avoid a late fee.

For mailed payments, allow 5-7 business days for delivery time. Online and phone payments can deduct funds from your account almost instantly.

5. Confirm Payment

Keep your payment confirmation or processed check as a record showing your utility bill was paid on time. This proof of payment could help resolve any errors.

You can also log into your online account to view payment history for documentation.

6. Review Next Month’s Bill

When your next utility bill arrives, check that your previous balance shows as $0 paid and verify your recent payment is listed. Notify the city if any amount seems to carry over incorrectly to the next bill.

Assuming all looks accurate, repeat the process and pay the new bill by the new due date.

Late Fees and Disconnection

If payment is not received by the 10th of the month, Wichita will apply a late fee on the next bill. The late fee is based on the size of your outstanding balance:

Overdue Balance	Late Fee
Under $30	$5
$30-$100	$10
Over $100	$15

In addition, a $20 fee is charged for payments returned or declined for insufficient funds.

If a bill remains unpaid long enough, the city can disconnect utility services on the account. Basic service fees continue to accrue even during shutoff.

A $30 reconnection fee applies if service is disconnected for nonpayment. Service resumes within 24 hours once overdue balance is paid in full.

Avoid fees and potential disruption by carefully paying your utility bill in full each month by the 10th. Communicate immediately with the city if you anticipate difficulty paying on time.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are struggling financially and unable to pay your utility bill, Wichita does offer some assistance programs:

• Payment plans – Setup a monthly payment plan to pay off an outstanding balance over time. Requires city approval.

• LIHEAP – Federal energy assistance grants are available for qualifying low income households.

• Nonprofit aid – Organizations like Salvation Army or United Way sometimes provide one-time utility bill grants.

• Rental assistance – Renters affected by COVID-19 may receive federal emergency help for utility bills.

Contact the utility billing office if you need payment assistance to avoid disconnection. There are options available to customers facing financial hardship.

Lowering Your Utility Bill

Take steps to use resources wisely and reduce the amount of your monthly Public Works & Utilities bill:

• Monitor water usage and fix any leaks
• Adjust sprinkler timers to avoid overwatering
• Install low-flow faucets and showerheads
• Replace inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR models
• Turn off lights when not needed
• Unplug devices when not in use

The city also offers rebates on some water-saving equipment and appliances. Conserving resources will help shrink utility costs.