Having access to clean, reliable drinking water is something we often take for granted. As a West Milton utility customer, it’s your responsibility to pay your water bill on time each month to keep service uninterrupted. This comprehensive guide provides all the key details on how to properly pay your West Milton water utility bill.
Overview of West Milton Water Service
The Village of West Milton provides water service to approximately 2,500 homes and businesses within the village limits. Their water plant draws from a wellfield and has the capacity to produce over 1 million gallons per day.
Some fast facts about West Milton water service
- They maintain over 34 miles of water lines throughout the village.
- There are around 1,500 water accounts billed monthly.
- The utility is overseen by the Board of Trustees and Village Administrator.
- Water is tested regularly to comply with all EPA and OEPA standards.
- Fire hydrants, valves and other infrastructure are continually maintained and upgraded.
- Customers are billed for usage monthly and accounts are based on service address.
- Bills are issued around the 25th of each month.
Understanding Your West Milton Water Bill
West Milton utility bills clearly outline your water usage and monthly charges Here’s what’s generally included on your bill
- Account number, service address and billing date
- Meter number and previous and current meter readings
- Total gallons used that billing cycle
- Itemized rates and charges for that usage
- Water service base fee
- Sewer service charges
- Trash collection fee if applicable
- Past due balance if any
- Total current charges
- Due date for payment
Usage is billed in 1,000 gallon increments according to a tiered rate schedule based on amount used. Rates are set by the Board of Trustees and can change periodically.
When is my Water Bill Due?
West Milton utility bills must be paid by the due date printed on your statement to avoid penalties Due dates are generally around the 18th of each month
If your payment is not received by the due date, a 10% late fee will be assessed on any outstanding balance.
Accounts with balances 60 days past due are subject to water service disconnection. A $100 fee is charged to reconnect after shutoff for nonpayment.
Paying on time is important – even if it’s just one day late, the 10% penalty applies. Avoid late fees by paying by the due date every month.
Monthly Billing and Payment Cycles
West Milton bills residents on a monthly cycle for water, sewer and trash (if applicable). Here is how it works:
- Meters are read near the end of each month.
- Bills are processed and mailed around the 25th of the month.
- The due date for payment is approximately the 18th of the following month.
- Late fees are added to overdue accounts after the due date.
- Past due notices are sent around the end of the month.
- Shut offs for non-payment happen around the 15th of the second month if still unpaid.
- Payment arrangements must be made to avoid shut offs.
Following this schedule allows customers adequate time to pay their bill before late fees or disconnection occur.
West Milton Payment Options
West Milton offers several ways for customers to pay their water and utility bills conveniently:
Pay Online
The village website has an online payment portal through InvoiceCloud where you can pay by credit/debit card or e-check. There is a small $2.50 convenience fee to use this service.
Log into the portal through the village website and have your account number handy. Online payments are posted next business day.
Pay by Phone
Call toll-free 866-382-1727 to pay over the phone. You will need to enter your complete utility account number including asterisks.
There are $1.50 convenience fees for e-check or 3% for credit cards when paying by phone.
Pay by Mail
Detach the payment stub from your bill and mail it along with a check or money order to:
West Milton Utility Billing
P.O. Box 285
West Milton, OH 45383
Allow 5-7 days for mailed payments to avoid late fees. Write your account number on the check.
Pay In Person
Bring your payment to the West Milton Village Office at 701 S. Miami St. during business hours. They accept cash, checks, money orders or credit/debit cards.
Business hours are Mon-Fri 7:30am to 4:30pm. The office is closed weekends and holidays.
Drop Boxes
A 24-hour drop box is located by the drive-thru window behind the Village Office. Check or money order payments ONLY – do not deposit cash.
Bank Bill Pay
Check with your bank to see if they offer free bill pay services to pay your utility bill. Payments may take 7-10 days to process through the bank, so allow enough time to avoid late fees.
Auto-Pay Bank Drafts
Forget late payments by enrolling in auto-pay bank drafts. On the due date each month your bill amount will automatically be drafted from your checking or savings account.
Complete the auto-pay form from the village website and return it with a voided check. You can cancel at any time with written notice.
Payment Arrangements and Assistance
If you are struggling to pay your West Milton water bill, contact the Village Office before your account becomes past due. They have some options:
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Payment extensions – a one month extension may be granted if requested before due date. Late fees still apply.
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Payment plans – you can set up a deferred 4 month payment plan for overdue balances with a 20% downpayment.
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LIHWAP Aid – provides grants to qualifying low income households to help pay water bills.
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Leak adjustments – they may adjust your bill if a substantial leak occurred that increased usage.
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Senior citizen discount – seniors age 65+ may receive a $7 monthly credit.
Reaching out early to discuss payment issues can help avoid complete shut offs. They want to keep customers connected, so don’t hesitate to call.
Avoiding Late Fees and Disconnection
To avoid penalties and potential shut offs, be sure to pay your West Milton water bill in full by the due date printed on your statement each month. Even one day late will result in a 10% late fee added to your account.
If you mail a check, confirm it is received by the due date. If funds are not posted on time, you may need to resend payment via a faster method to avoid late charges.
Setting up automatic monthly payments through the village’s online bill pay system or your bank’s bill pay offers peace of mind that your bill is always paid on time.
Review the billing cycles and understand the process so you know when your bill is due each month. Mark your calendars with reminders to pay your water bill to prevent overdue accounts and costly penalties.
Review Bills for Errors
Carefully review your water bill each month to make sure the charges are accurate. Some common billing errors to check for:
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Unusually high usage from an incorrect meter read. Request a re-read if usage seems excessive.
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Charged for the wrong meter size. Verify your correct meter size is listed.
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Errors in billing calculation or incorrect rates charged. Have them double check the math.
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Duplicate charges already paid previously. Check for double billed amounts.
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Charged for past resident. Make sure bill is in your name with correct service address listed.
The Village wants to issue accurate bills to customers every month. So if something looks incorrect, contact them right away to investigate and make corrections before the due date.
Moving and Final Bills
If you are moving out of West Milton, there are a few steps to take to settle up your final water bill:
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Notify the utility department at least 1 week before your move date to request a final meter reading. Provide them with a forwarding address.
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Make sure any past due balance is paid to avoid transfer of unpaid bills to collections.
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Your final bill will be prorated from your last meter reading to your final move out date.
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Expect your final bill to arrive within 2 weeks after your move out. Payment is due upon receipt.
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Consider enrolling in auto-pay prior to moving to ensure your final bill is paid even after you relocate.
Following these steps will enable a smooth transition to your new location and closure of your West Milton water account.
Stay current on paying your water bill every month so this essential utility service continues uninterrupted. Use the payment options and account management tips provided in this guide to easily pay your West Milton utility bill. Contact the Village Office if you need assistance or have any billing questions.
