Paying your water bill is an essential task as a resident of Cottage Grove. Having access to clean, potable water in your home or business is a modern convenience many of us take for granted. However providing water service to a community requires extensive infrastructure and operations that need to be funded. Understanding your water bill the various payment options, and any programs available to assist with payments will help you manage this necessary expense.
Overview of a Cottage Grove Water Bill
A Cottage Grove water bill typically includes charges for water usage, sewer service, stormwater management fees, and other services provided by the city’s Public Works department.
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Water Usage This covers the amount of water supplied to your property by the city’s water system measured in hundreds of cubic feet (CCF) or gallons. The rate per CCF or gallon depends on your property type and water meter size. Water usage charges are typically the largest portion of your total bill.
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Sewer Service This helps fund the city’s wastewater collection and treatment system, It is usually a flat monthly charge or based on your water consumption
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Stormwater Fees: These charges help maintain the storm sewer system and mitigate flooding and pollution from stormwater runoff. Stormwater fees are determined by factors like your property’s impervious surface area.
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Miscellaneous Fees: Other smaller fees may include account service charges, backflow prevention charges, late payment fees, etc.
Your water bill will show current charges, previous balances, payments made, and total amount due. Reviewing the details can help you understand what goes into providing your water service. Monitoring your water usage can also help detect leaks and identify areas to conserve water.
Payment Options in Cottage Grove
The city provides several options to pay your water bill conveniently:
Pay Online
The city offers online bill payment through their website. You can pay by debit/credit card or eCheck. One-time or recurring payments can be set up. Paying online allows 24/7 access and locks in the payment date. However, a processing fee (around 3.5%) is typically charged for online credit/debit card transactions.
Pay by Mail
Water bill payments can be mailed to the city’s Finance Department address. Enclose your payment stub and a check or money order payable to the City of Cottage Grove. Allow enough time for the payment to reach the city by the due date.
Pay in Person
You can pay your water bill in person at Cottage Grove City Hall, 400 E Main St. The Finance Department accepts cash, check, or money order payments. City Hall is open Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm.
Drop Box
For after-hours payments, a secure drop box is located at the City Hall entrance. Place your payment (no cash) in the drop box with your remittance stub.
Auto Pay / Recurring Payments
Set up automatic withdrawals from your bank account through the city’s online bill pay system. Payments are made on their due date each month. Be sure to update your account information if your details change.
Pay by Phone
In some cities, payments can be made through an automated phone system. However, phone payment options may involve third-party processing fees.
Assistance Programs
If you are having difficulty paying your water bill, Cottage Grove offers some assistance programs:
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Payment Arrangements: Payment plans can be set up for accounts with overdue balances. Arrangements require paying the current month’s charges plus a portion of the past due amount.
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Late Fee Waivers: Late payment fees may be waived in qualifying financial hardship cases. You’ll need to provide documentation of your situation.
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Utility Billing Rebate: Low-income seniors and disabled individuals can get up to $200 per year in rebates on city utility bills through an assistance program.
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Water Bill Discount: A 10% discount is available for low-income residents who meet income eligibility requirements. You’ll need to apply and provide income documentation.
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Water Leak Adjustment: You may be eligible for a bill adjustment if high usage was due to an unknown leak that has been fixed. Details of the leak and repair must be provided.
If you anticipate having trouble paying your water bill, contact the city right away to learn about available assistance programs and avoid service disruption.
Avoid Late Payments and Disconnection
It is important to pay your water bill by the due date each month. Not only will you incur late fees, but your service may eventually be disconnected for non-payment.
Disconnection can happen if your account is more than 60 days overdue. A shut-off notice will be sent 10-15 days prior to disconnection. For reconnection the same day, the full account balance and fees must be paid immediately. Service will not be restored outside of regular business hours.
Avoid late fees and inconvenient shut-offs by paying on time. Sign up for reminders like email billing and due date notices. Have a backup plan for making payments if unforeseen circumstances arise.
New Water Billing System in Cottage Grove
In January 2025, Cottage Grove rolled out a new utility billing and payment system to improve customer service. All account numbers changed, so existing customers needed to update any auto-pay arrangements.
The new system features an online customer portal for account management, paperless billing, payment history review, and enrolling in new services like pay-by-text. However, some processing fees are now charged for certain payment methods to help cover costs.
Customers needed to create an online profile using their new account number provided on their first bill. This gave access to the full capabilities of the new billing system. Overall, the updated system aims to provide more convenience and transparency for Cottage Grove utility customers.
Moving to Cottage Grove? Establishing Service
If you are relocating to Cottage Grove, you’ll need to set up new water service in your name once you move in. This involves an application, account activation fee, and security deposit. The deposit amount will depend on your property type and payment history with other utilities.
Provide your move-in date and service start date. Confirm if the prior occupant has an outstanding balance – you may be responsible for some portion of it. The city can provide information on average monthly bills and rates for the property so you know what to expect.
To avoid service interruption, complete the application process well in advance of your move-in. Be ready to pay the new account setup fees and initial water bill for the new property.
Cottage Grove Offers Reliable Water Service
Having clean, safe water supplied directly to our homes and businesses is something we often take for granted. Yet, considerable infrastructure and resources are needed to make this possible. Your water bill helps sustain these systems that are so vital to the community.
Understanding Cottage Grove’s billing process, payment options, and assistance programs allows customers to manage this necessity responsibly. Paying water bills fully and on-time ensures uninterrupted service while keeping utility rates reasonable for everyone. Reach out to the city’s Finance Department or Public Works team if you need guidance on paying your Cottage Grove water bill.
Utility office has moved!
The Water & Sewer Utility office is now located at Village Hall, 221 E. Cottage Grove Rd. Please bring payments to this address going forward.
Payment of your utility bill can be done in person, by mail or online. If paying online, it is recommended to schedule your payment 3-5 business days prior to the due date to ensure that it is properly applied to your bill and no late charges are incurred. When paying online, please note that your utility account number should be entered without the period (ex: Account 1234.56 should be entered as 123456) To access online utility bill pay, please click here or on the link provided below.
Online Bill Pay – Cottage Grove
FAQ
How do I pay my water bill in California?
You can pay your Cal Water bill over the phone by calling (888) 598-9824 (toll-free). You can use a bank account, a Visa (credit or debit), MasterCard (credit or debit), or Discover card.
Where do I pay my water bill in Laurel Mississippi?
Our water bill drop box is on the side of City Hall that faces Yates Avenue. You can also pay in person at City Hall, or you can mail your payment to us. You can also pay online from this website.
How do I pay a bill in Cottage Grove?
Mail-in payment: Send a check or money order to 400 E Main Street, Cottage Grove, OR 97424. Make sure it’s made out to the City of Cottage Grove. Auto-Pay – Each month your payment can be automatically deducted from your checking account. It is the customer’s responsibility to keep this information updated prior to the due date.
How do I pay my rent in Cottage Grove?
Pay Online – We now accept payment by Debit/Credit card. You have the option to choose a one-time payment or a recurring payment. Pay in person at City Hall – Finance Department. You can mail your payment to 400 E Main Street, Cottage Grove, OR 97424. Make sure the check or money order is made out to the City of Cottage Grove.
Does Cottage Grove send out utility bills?
The City of Cottage Grove sends out utility bills on a monthly basis. Residents are billed for water, sewer, stormwater and street lights on this bill. See the following for a summary of the rates that are charged. Summary of Water/Sewer/Stormwater Rates as of January 1, 2024. The City of Cottage Grove sends out utility bills on a monthly basis.
How do I pay a check in Cottage Grove?
Payable to the City of Cottage Grove, put your check or money order in the drop slot on the left, right inside the first set of main doors at City Hall. (No Cash Payments).
What does the Cottage Grove Public Works Department do?
The Cottage Grove Public Works Department answers phone calls 24-hours a day including weekends and holidays. The Water Division makes sure that our customers have a safe supply of drinkable water and that the water distribution system and other facilities are managed and kept in the best and most cost-effective way possible.
How do I report a water leak in Cottage Grove?
NOTICE: If you have a water leak, an emergency water problem, a sanitary sewer back-up, or an emergency sewer problem, please call 651-458-2808. The Cottage Grove Public Works Department answers phone calls 24-hours a day including weekends and holidays.
