Colton Public Utilities Bill Pay: A Comprehensive Guide

Paying your utilities bill on time every month is an important responsibility for residents of Colton, CA. The city’s Public Utilities department offers several ways to pay your water, sewer, trash, and other utility bills conveniently online or in person This comprehensive guide provides key details on how to pay your Colton public utilities bill through the available online and offline options.

Overview of Colton Public Utilities

The City of Colton Public Utilities department handles water, sewer, and trash services for local residents and businesses. They bill customers monthly and payment is due upon receipt of your utility bill. If not paid on time, late fees can apply. The Public Utilities department provides the following services:

• Water delivery and wastewater treatment
• Water meter reading
• Water quality testing and compliance
• Sewer line maintenance
• Trash, recycling, and bulky item collection
• Landfill management and recycling center

Public Utilities serves over 25,000 residential and commercial accounts in Colton. They are committed to providing high quality utility services to support the community.

Online Payment Options

Paying your Public Utilities bill online is the most convenient way for most customers. The City of Colton offers two ways to pay online

City of Colton Website Payments

• You can make one-time payments through the City’s Online Payments website.
• No registration required. Just enter your account number and other basic details to process payment.
• Accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or check by phone.
• $3.50 convenience fee applies to credit/debit card payments.

Utility Billing Online Account Access

• For recurring payments, you can create a web account on the Utility Billing website.
• Registration required using your utility account number, address, and email.
• Store payment methods for future automatic or one-time payments.
• Free for payments directly from a bank account. 2.95% fee applies to credit/debit card payments.
• View billing history and usage information.
• Sign up for paperless e-bills.

Offline Payment Methods

If you prefer to pay in person or by mail the City offers several other payment options

• Mail check or money order payments to the Public Utilities office at Colton City Hall.
• Drop off payment by check, money order, or cash at the 24-hour drop box at City Hall.
• Pay by cash, check, or credit/debit card at City Hall during business hours.
• Automatic recurring payments can be set up to be deducted from your checking account.
• Call the Public Utilities department to pay over the phone.

What Happens If You Miss a Payment?

It’s important to pay your utilities bill in full and on time each month. Here’s what happens if your payment is late:

• A 10% late penalty will be applied to your account if not paid by the due date.
• If still unpaid, a second $10 late fee will be added after another 30 days.
• Accounts more than 90 days past due may have service disconnected.
• A $50 fee will be charged to restore service after disconnection.
• Partial payments are accepted, but late fees will still apply on unpaid balances.
• Multiple late payments may result in a deposit being required for future service.

Avoid these fees and potential service interruptions by paying on time! Set up automatic payments or reminders if needed.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are having difficulty paying your utilities bill, Colton does offer programs to help qualified customers:

• The Low Income Rate Payer Assistance (LIRA) program offers a discount of 30% on water for households meeting income guidelines.
• Senior and disabled customers may be eligible for a 15% discount on water through the Senior Low Income Rate Payer Assistance (SLIRA).
• Deferred payment plans can be arranged if you are experiencing a temporary financial hardship. Late fees may be waived with an approved plan.

Contact the Public Utilities department to learn more about assistance programs and eligibility. They can help customers navigate available options.

Key Tips for Paying Your Colton Utilities Bill

To summarize, here are some key tips for effectively managing Public Utilities bills in Colton:

• Sign up for a web account to access billing 24/7 and automate future payments.
• Mark your calendar with bill due dates each month as a reminder to pay on time.
• Review your water usage each billing cycle and address any spikes or changes.
• Contact the Public Utilities department right away if you anticipate payment issues.
• Ask about budget billing to spread costs evenly throughout the year.
• Enroll in paperless billing to receive bills electronically rather than by mail.
• If funds are tight, prioritize paying utilities bills first before less essential expenses.
• Seek out payment assistance programs if eligible based on income or age.

What Are Customers Saying About the Payment Experience?

Based on reviews and local feedback, customers appear generally satisfied with the utility payment options offered by the City of Colton:

• Most appreciate the convenience of being able to pay online through the website portal or their online account.

• Many customers specifically praise the ability to set up automatic recurring bank draft payments to ensure their bill is always paid on time.

• Some customers felt the convenience fees for online credit/debit payments were a bit high compared to other cities.

• Most online comments from residents were positive about the customer service experience interacting with staff from the Public Utilities department.

• Customers noted that personnel are friendly and willing to help resolve any issues or payment difficulties.

Overall, the City provides solid ways to pay Public Utility bills conveniently online or through multiple offline options. Excellent customer service helps make the payment process straightforward for Colton residents.