How to Pay Your Atlanta Watershed Management Bill

Paying your water bill to the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) is an important responsibility for residents and businesses. Failure to pay on time can lead to service interruptions penalties and other hassles. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the various options for paying your Atlanta Watershed Management bill conveniently and on time.

Online Bill Pay

The easiest way for most customers to pay their DWM bill is online through the DWM Customer Web Portal. You can make secure online payments using your checking account, credit card, or debit card.

To get started, first create an online account on the DWM website Make sure to have your account number handy Then you can log in anytime to view your balance and make a payment. The online system also allows you to

• Check your consumption history
• Sign up for paperless billing
• Provide meter readings
• Request reminders and alerts
• Manage autopay setup

Online payments via the DWM portal are fast, convenient, and post to your account instantly. You can pay any time of day or night. It’s the best option for most Atlanta water customers.

Pay By Phone

If you prefer to pay your bill over the phone, DWM offers pay-by-phone services at 1-404-546-0311. This automated system is available 24/7 and allows you to use your checking account, credit card, or debit card to make quick payments.

To use the pay-by-phone option, you’ll need your 10-digit DWM account number and your 5-digit zip code. The system will walk you through prompts to take your payment information and apply it to your account. Confirmation numbers are provided at the end of the call for your records.

One downside to the phone payment system is that you cannot see your current balance before making a payment. So you’ll need to log into your account online or reference your latest bill. But it’s still a convenient way to quickly handle your bill if you prefer phone-based payments.

Pay By Mail

If you don’t have online access or prefer not to pay by phone, you can always mail in a payment the old-fashioned way. On your printed water bill is a payment stub and mailing address to detach and include along with a check or money order.

Make your check or money order payable to “City of Atlanta.” Be sure to write your 10-digit DWM account number on the check memo line. Then mail your payment stub and check to the address printed on your bill.

Mailed payments can take 7-10 business days to post to your account. So make sure to mail your payment at least a week before the due date to avoid late fees. Setting up automatic bill pay through your bank can help avoid forgetting to mail payments.

In-Person Payments

For customers who prefer to pay their water bill in person, DWM provides several options:

• DWM Customer Service Center – Located on the 1st floor of Atlanta City Hall, payments are accepted 8:15am-5:00pm Monday through Friday.

• City Hall Night Deposit Box – For after hours payments, a drop box is located at the 68 Mitchell Street entrance of City Hall. Checks or money orders only.

• Authorized Retailers – Major retailers like Kroger, Publix, Walmart, and Western Union locations can accept DWM bill payments with convenience fees.

Cash, checks, credit/debit cards are accepted at the Customer Service Center. You can also get receipts, account information, and any assistance needed with your account. Just keep the operating hours in mind if making an in-person payment.

Auto Bill Pay Through Your Bank

Many banks and credit unions offer automated bill pay services that can automatically handle your DWM bill each month. This ensures your bill is paid on time without needing to remember to log in and manually pay each month.

Just make sure you check your account regularly to verify the correct payment amount was sent based on your actual water usage that month. But otherwise, auto bill pay can provide peace of mind that your due date will not be missed.

Is There An Option to Pay Online Without Fees?

Most of the online and phone payment options will charge you a small convenience fee that goes to the payment processor, not DWM. This covers the cost of credit card transactions and digital payments infrastructure. The fees are typically around $1-$1.50 per transaction.

To avoid the online/phone convenience fees, you can have your bank send paper checks each month using their online bill pay feature. This allows online payments but via mailed checks instead of digital processing, so no fees. Just remember it takes 7-10 days to post to your account with the mail time.

The other no-fee options are dropping a check at the City Hall drop box or mailing in your payment the traditional way. So you can still avoid fees by sticking with paper checks rather than digital payments.

What Are Some Tips for Paying Your DWM Bill?

Here are some top tips for DWM customers related to timely bill payment:

• Set payment reminders to avoid late notices.
• Enroll in paperless billing to get due date alerts.
• Review charges promptly in case adjustments are needed.
• Pay a few days early to account for processing time.
• Keep your account number handy to simplify payment.
• Automate payments so they are never late.
• Contact DWM immediately if you anticipate issues paying on time.

Staying on top of your water bill payments is an important responsibility as an Atlanta resident. Following these tips and understanding the various payment options should make the process smooth and painless. Reach out to DWM customer service if you ever have any questions or concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions About DWM Bill Payment

Here are answers to some common bill payment questions fielded by DWM customer service representatives:

How long does it take mailed payments to process?

Allow 7-10 business days for mailed payments to post to your account to avoid late fees.

Are in-person payments processed instantly?

Yes, payments made at the DWM customer service center or City Hall drop box credit to your account same-day.

Where can I get a copy of my water bill?

Sign up for paperless billing via the online DWM portal to access PDF copies of your current and past water bills.

What do I do if I lost my bill and don’t know the amount due?

Log into your DWM account online or call customer service at 404-546-0311 to check your latest balance.

What is the deadline for paying my bill online to avoid late fees?

Online/phone payments process instantly so can be made anytime on the due date until 11:59pm EST.

Is there an installment plan for large water bills?

Yes, DWM offers payment arrangements for customers having difficulty paying their balance in full. Call customer service to set up a plan.

What is the charge for late payments?

Accounts not paid within 15 days of the net due date are subject to a 10% late fee on the unpaid balance.

How do I check if my payment processed correctly?

After paying, log into your DWM account to confirm your current balance reflects the payment.