How To Pay Your Sewerage and Water Board Bill in New Orleans: A Complete Guide

If you live in New Orleans, you likely receive water and sewer services from the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO). Paying your SWBNO bill on time each month is essential to avoid service disruptions. But what are all the ways you can pay your New Orleans SWBNO bill? Let’s discuss the various bill payment options available.

An Overview of SWBNO

The SWBNO is a public utility agency that provides water, sewer, and drainage services to the City of New Orleans. It serves over 400,000 residents across the greater metro area.

The SWBNO bills customers monthly for water and sewer usage based on metered rates. They also collect a monthly flat fee for drainage service. Failure to pay your SWBNO bill can result in late fees, penalties and even water service shut offs.

That’s why it’s crucial to understand your payment options and pay on time. The good news is that SWBNO offers various convenient payment methods.

Online Bill Pay

The best and easiest way to pay your SWBNO bill is through their customer portal. You have to make an online account before you can use the online bill pay option.

Here is how to set up and use online bill pay with SWBNO:

• Visit account.swbno.org and click “Register Now” to create your online account. Provide your account and contact information.

• Once registered, you can log into your account dashboard by entering your username and password.

• Select the “Billing & Usage” tab to view your outstanding balance and payment due date.

• Choose the “Make Payment” button and enter your payment details including the payment method.

• Accepted payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and electronic checks.

• Confirm your payment information and submit the transaction.

Online bill pay allows secure 24/7 access to manage payments. You also avoid mailing delays and save on postage costs.

Phone Payments

If you prefer to speak with someone directly, SWBNO offers a pay-by-phone option.

To pay your SWBNO bill over the phone:

• Call 1-504-529-2837 anytime 24/7

• Provide your 12-digit account number and verify your billing details

• Choose your payment method and amount

• Accepted methods include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and electronic checks

• A processing agent will complete the payment and provide a confirmation number

Phone payments give you the benefit of personal assistance while still being quick and easy. Just be aware that additional processing fees may apply.

Auto Bill Pay

For maximum convenience, enroll in SWBNO autopay directly from your bank account. Here’s how it works:

• Log into your SWBNO online account and navigate to the Payment Methods page

• Select the option to enroll in Auto Bill Pay

• Provide your bank account information and confirm your enrollment

• Your bill amount will now be automatically debited from your bank account each month

With autopay, you never have to worry about missing a payment. Your bill gets paid on time without any effort on your part.

In-Person Payments

If you want to pay your SWBNO bill in cash or prefer in-person assistance, visit one of the SWBNO customer service centers:

East Bank:

• 625 Saint Joseph St, New Orleans, LA 70165

• Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm

• Accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit

West Bank:

• 4021 Behrman Pl, New Orleans, LA 70131

• Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm

• Accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit

In-person payments allow you to pay with multiple methods while getting face-to-face support. Just watch out for long wait times during peak hours.

Third-Party Locations

In addition to SWBNO customer centers, you can pay your bill at authorized third-party locations including:

• Fidelity Express pay stations
• Check cashing outlets
• Certain pharmacies and supermarkets

To find pay stations near you, visit the Fidelity Express location finder. Take your payment stub or account number.

Third-party locations offer added convenience, but may charge extra service fees. Also, debit/credit cards are not accepted.

Pay by Mail

If you prefer to mail in payments the old fashioned way, you can send a check or money order to:

Sewerage and Water Board
625 Saint Joseph St
New Orleans, LA 70165

Just make sure to allow 7-10 business days for mailed payments to reach the SWBNO. Late fees can apply if your payment arrives after the due date.

What About Late or Missed Payments?

If you miss an SWBNO payment, you will incur the following penalties:

• A 10% late fee on the overdue balance
• Water service shut off after non-payment for 60 days
• Additional $50 penalty to restore water service once disconnected
• Potential hits to your credit score

Avoid late fees and shut offs by paying on time, enrolling in autopay, or contacting SWBNO to discuss alternative payment plans if you are struggling to pay.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are having trouble paying your SWBNO bill, take advantage of these assistance programs:

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Helps qualified low income households pay SWBNO bills

• Water Help Program – Offers up to $200 in bill credits for eligible customers

• Payment Arrangements – Set up a personalized payment plan with SWBNO

Best Practices for Paying Your SWBNO Bill

Follow these tips for successfully managing and paying your SWBNO bill:

• Provide accurate account and contact information to SWBNO

• Opt for autopay or schedule calendar reminders for due dates

• Pay early to avoid late fees if mailing payments

• Review statements closely to check for errors

• Contact SWBNO immediately if you cannot pay on time

• Ask about assistance programs if experiencing financial hardship

Paying your SWBNO water and sewer bill doesn’t have to be a chore. By understanding and utilizing the various payment options at your disposal, you can easily keep your account in good standing.