A Guide to Paying Your Charles County Water Bill Online

Having access to clean water and effective wastewater services is vital for any community In Charles County, Maryland, the Department of Planning and Growth Management oversees water and sewer utilities for county residents and businesses. Paying your water and sewer bills promptly each month is an important responsibility In this guide, we’ll provide an overview of Charles County’s water/sewer services and give step-by-step instructions for paying your bill online.

About Charles County Water and Sewer

Charles County provides public water and sewer services to over 15,000 customers in the region. Key facts

• Provides drinking water sourced from aquifers and the Potomac River

• Operates 7 water production facilities, 11 water towers, over 300 miles of water mains

• Wastewater is treated at 6 facilities before being discharged

• Governed by the Board of County Commissioners

• Rates and fees are set annually based on operating costs

• Monthly billing for water and sewer usage and base service charges

Ensuring this infrastructure functions properly and expands as needed requires regular revenue from customer billing.

Your Monthly Bill

Charles County utility bills arrive monthly and charge for that period’s water usage plus a fixed service fee. Wastewater service is also billed monthly based on your water consumption.

Key bill sections:

• Account number and service address

• Meter readings – previous and current

• Water usage in CCFs (hundred cubic feet)

• Itemized charges – water, sewer, base fees etc.

• Total amount due

• Due date

Review your bill carefully to ensure accuracy, comparing usage and charges month-to-month.

Paying Your Water Bill On Time

The due date for payment is typically 3 weeks after the billing date. The specific due date is printed on each statement.

Paying by the due date prevents penalties and service disruption:

• 10% late fee assessed on overdue balances

• Water service may be shut off for non-payment after 60+ days

• $30 fee to restore service once bill is paid

Setting up automatic payments or paying immediately upon receipt are great ways to avoid late fees. Online, phone, mail, drop box, and office payment options are available.

How to Pay Your Water Bill Online

Paying online via the customer portal is fast and easy. Follow these steps:

1. Visit www.charlescountymd.gov and search “water bill pay”

2. Click on the link to access the online payment system

3. Login using your account number and password

4. Select ‘Make Payment’ and choose which account to pay if you have multiple

5. Enter the payment amount – you can pay total balance or a partial amount

6. Provide credit/debit card details or checking account info

7. Review payment details and click ‘Submit’

8. Get a confirmation number for your records

Payments made by 5 PM on business days credit to your account the next day. You can also set up recurring payments.

Paying Your Water Bill by Phone

To pay by phone:

1. Call 1-866-929-8277 for the payment system line

2. When prompted, enter your Charles County account number

3. Say or select the payment amount when asked

4. Provide credit/debit card information or checking account details

5. Confirm payment details like account, date, amount

6. Get a confirmation number at the end

7. Note the confirmation number and details for your records

A $1.50 processing fee applies to phone payments. Allow 1 business day for payments to post to your account.

Paying by Mail

To pay by mail:

1. Write your account number clearly on the check or money order

2. Make it payable to Charles County Government

3. Indicate the payment amount in digits and words

4. Mail to: Charles County Water Bill, PO Box 5069, Elkton, MD 21922

Allow 5 business days for mailed payments to process. Include the remittance stub from your bill.

Paying in Person

You can pay in person at:

• Charles County Government Building – 200 Baltimore St, La Plata, MD

• Drop box outside the Government Building (checks only)

In-person payments before 4:30 PM on business days will credit to your account same day. Bring your bill or know your account number.

Payment Arrangement Options

If unable to pay your balance in full, you can set up a payment plan by calling the billing office. Provide information on your financial hardship and call as soon as possible before your account becomes delinquent. Payment plans can help avoid service disruption but late fees may still apply.

Tips for Paying Your Water Bill

• Provide updated contact information to the billing office if you move or change phone numbers

• Sign up for e-bills to get statements electronically vs mailed paper copies

• Review monthly usage – identify spikes that may indicate leaks

• Pay a fixed amount by your due date then pay remainder later

• Set up automatic payments to avoid forgetting and ensure on-time payment

Paying your Charles County water/sewer bill promptly is essential for maintaining uninterrupted services. The online customer portal offers a quick and easy way to pay 24/7. Just remember your due date each month and utilize available payment options as needed.