How to Pay Your Water Bill in Rochester, NY

Paying your water bill is an essential part of being a resident in the city of Rochester, NY The city provides clean, reliable drinking water to all residents, and in return expects on-time payment of water bills Here’s a complete guide on how to pay your Rochester water bill quickly and easily.

Overview of Rochester Water Billing

The City of Rochester bills residents quarterly for water usage, with the exception of larger meters (3 inches or more) which are billed monthly. Your water bill consists of two charges:

• Base charge – A flat fee based on your water meter size. This covers fixed costs like infrastructure maintenance.

• Consumption charge – Based on the actual amount of water used, as measured by your water meter readings This covers variable costs like chemicals and electricity for purification and pumping

Water meters are read by the city quarterly or monthly and used to calculate your consumption charge. If the city cannot access your meter they will estimate usage based on past readings.

When and How Much is Your Water Bill?

If you live in a house or smaller apartment building, expect a quarterly water bill with the current rates:

• Base charge: $20.50 for a typical 5/8” residential meter

• Consumption: $4.38 per 1,000 gallons

So for example, if you used 7,000 gallons your quarterly bill would be:

• Base charge: $20.50
• Consumption: 7 * $4.38 = $30.66
• Total: $20.50 + $30.66 = $51.16

Water bills are issued at the beginning of January, April, July, and October for the previous 3 months. They are due about 4 weeks after the issue date.

Payment Options for Your Water Bill

The City of Rochester offers numerous ways to pay your water bill so you can choose the most convenient method:

Pay Online

The easiest way to pay is through the city’s online payment system at cityofrochester.gov/paybill. You can make a one-time payment or set up recurring payments from a checking account, credit card or debit card.

Pay by Phone

Call 311 to pay over the phone using automated system. You can pay using a checking account or credit card.

Pay by Mail

Detach and mail the payment stub from your paper bill with a check or money order. Allow 5 business days for mail delivery. Send to:

City of Rochester Water Bureau
30 Church St.
Rochester, NY 14614

Pay in Person

Bring your water bill and payment to:

• City Hall at 30 Church St.

• neighborhood service centers

You can pay with cash, check or money order. City Hall and most service centers accept credit cards.

Payroll Deduction

If you work for a Rochester employer, you may be able to set up automatic deductions from your paycheck to cover water bills. Check with your company’s HR department.

Auto Bank Draft

Authorize your bank to automatically pay your water bill from your checking or savings account. Sign up online or call 311.

Avoid Late Fees and Penalties

Water bills become delinquent if not paid by the due date. This results in:

• Late fees – Either 3% (quarterly bills) or 1% (monthly bills) of the overdue balance. This is charged every billing period until paid.

• Property tax penalty – Unpaid bills as of May 15 get added to your July property taxes with a 10% penalty and administrative fee.

Protect your credit and avoid extra costs by paying your water bill on time. If you anticipate having difficulty paying, contact the water bureau right away to set up a payment plan.

What to Do if You Have a High Bill

If your water bill seems unusually high, first check your property for leaks and ensure no taps were left running. Also verify the meter reading is accurate by checking your meter yourself and providing the city a reading.

If the bill still seems too high after this, contact the city at 311 to request a meter accuracy test and investigation of potential leaks on their end. Catching a leak early can save thousands of gallons of water.

Change Your Account Details Online

Use the city’s website to update the mailing address on your water account if you move. You can also go paperless by enrolling in e-bills which are more environmentally friendly.

Water Billing Contact Info

For any questions about your City of Rochester water bill or service, contact the water bureau:

• Phone: 311 (585-428-5990 outside city)
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: cityofrochester.gov/waterbilling

The city staff can explain charges, set up payments, investigate billing issues, and more to help you get the most out of your water service.