Paying bills is often seen as a tedious chore. Everyone is busy, so who has time to pay all of their bills by hand every month? Luckily, Houston residents with a city water bill can pay quickly and easily by phone. In this article, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of paying your Houston water bill over the phone and show you how to do it.
Why Pay Your Houston Water Bill by Phone?
Paying your Houston water bill by phone offers several advantages
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You can make a payment in less than 5 minutes by following a few simple steps. You don’t even need to log in or go to multiple pages. This makes it simple to make a payment, even when you’re very busy.
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You can pay whenever you want because the automated phone payment system is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There’s no need to call during business hours or rush to pay before the due date.
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Multiple payment options – Payments can be made with a credit card, debit card or electronic check over the phone. This provides flexibility based on your preferred payment method.
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Put a phone alert on your phone every month to remind you to pay your bill. This way, you won’t forget and get charged late fees. It is simple to pay on time every time because of the ease of use.
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Paperless – With phone payments, you don’t have to use paper checks or worry about mailing in payments. It’s a paperless, eco-friendly option.
How to Pay Your Houston Water Bill by Phone
Paying your Houston water bill by phone is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps:
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Have your account number ready – Locate your latest bill to reference your 10-digit Houston water account number. This is required to access your account.
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Dial 713-371-1400 – This is the automated Houston Water Customer Service phone number for payments.
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Select option 1 for residential customers – Press 1 on your phone’s keypad if you are paying a residential water bill. For commercial accounts, press 2.
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Enter your 10-digit account number – Use the phone keypad to input your 10-digit account number.
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Select your payment amount – Press 1 to pay the total amount due. Press 2 if making a partial payment, then enter the payment amount.
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Enter payment information – Follow the prompts to enter your credit card, debit card or bank account details.
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Confirm payment details – Verify your payment amount and account number are correct.
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Receive payment confirmation – You will receive an automated confirmation number when the payment is processed successfully.
And that’s it! In just a few quick steps, you’ve securely paid your Houston water bill completely over the phone.
Tips for Paying Your Houston Water Bill by Phone
To ensure a smooth phone payment process each month, keep these tips in mind:
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Set reminders – Mark monthly due dates on your calendar and set payment reminders to avoid late fees.
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Have payment info ready – Save time by having your payment card or checkbook in hand before you call.
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Pay early – Don’t wait until the due date, when phone lines may be busier. Pay early to get it out of the way.
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Save confirmation number – Write down or take a photo of the confirmation number for your records.
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Check account activity – Log in online periodically to verify payments were processed as expected.
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Update contact information – Keep your phone number updated on your account for any notifications.
What Payment Options Are Available?
When paying your Houston water bill by phone, you have options in terms of payment type:
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Credit or debit card – Most major card brands are accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
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Electronic check – You can pay directly from your checking account by entering your routing and account numbers.
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AutoPay – For hands-free payments each month, you can enroll in AutoPay to have payments automatically debited from your card or bank account.
The ability to pay by credit/debit card or electronic check adds significant convenience. You don’t have to worry about buying money orders or stamps for checks.
What Information is Needed to Pay by Phone?
To complete a payment over the automated Houston Water phone system, you will need:
- Houston water account number
- Service address on the account
- Payment amount (full or partial)
- Credit/debit card number or bank account details
- Expiration date of card
- Billing zip code for card
Having this information handy when you call will allow the payment process to go quickly and smoothly.
Are There Other Ways to Pay a Houston Water Bill?
In addition to phone payments, the City of Houston offers residential customers other convenient ways to pay their water bill:
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Online – Through the Houston Water customer portal, you can pay by credit/debit card or electronic check.
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In person – Pay with cash, check or money order at an authorized payment center such as HEB, Fiesta Mart or CVS.
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Mail – Send a check or money order to the address listed on your printed Houston Water bill.
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AutoPay – Sign up to have payments automatically drafted from your credit card or bank account each month.
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Mobile app – Download the Houston Water app to monitor usage and pay on the go.
So while the phone method is quick and easy, you have options if another payment channel is better suited to your needs and preferences.
Common Questions About Houston Water Bill Phone Payments
If you’re new to paying your Houston water bill by phone, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What are the phone payment hours?
You can pay by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using the automated system.
Is there a fee to pay by phone?
No, there is no fee charged by the city for paying your water bill by phone. However, your card issuer may charge a transaction fee.
Can I get a receipt?
Yes, you can request an email receipt after paying by pressing 2 when prompted. Ensure your email address is updated on your account.
What if I entered the wrong amount?
If you realize you entered the wrong payment amount, call back in and pay the remaining balance owed on your account.
What if my payment won’t go through?
If there is an issue processing your card, you will be prompted to call Houston Water Customer Service during regular business hours for further assistance.
Paying your monthly Houston water bill doesn’t have to be a hassle. By taking advantage of the convenient phone payment option, you can quickly pay your bill on your schedule and avoid late fees. Give it a try next month and see for yourself how phone payments can simplify bill pay!
