How to Pay Your Bill with North City Water District

Living in the Pacific Northwest, we are lucky to have access to fresh, clean drinking water. But that water comes at a cost that shows up in our monthly utility bills. If you live in parts of Shoreline or Lake Forest Park, your water service likely comes from North City Water District. Here’s a complete guide on how to understand and pay your North City Water bill.

Overview of North City Water District

North City Water District is a public utility providing water to around 26000 residents across Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. They’ve been serving the community since 1946.

Some key facts about North City Water:

• Provides drinking water sourced from Seattle Public Utilities and the Tolt Pipeline.

• Monitors and tests water quality for over 70 different contaminants.

• Maintains infrastructure like water mains, valves, hydrants, and meters.

• Governed by an elected 3-member Board of Commissioners,

• Bills residents monthly for water usage and infrastructure charges

Now let’s look at the billing process and how you can pay your North City Water bill.

Understanding Your North City Water Bill

North City Water bills residents monthly. Here are some key elements to understand on your bill:

• Service address – The location receiving water service. Check it’s correct.

• Account number – Your unique billing account number. Have this handy when contacting customer service.

• Billing date – The date your bill was issued that month.

• Due date – When payment must be received, typically around the 27th of the month.

• Previous balance – Any unpaid balance from your prior bill.

• Payments received – Payments processed since your last bill.

• Water usage – How much water you used in cubic feet or CCF. Tiered rates apply above certain levels.

• Base charge – A fixed monthly fee to maintain the water system infrastructure.

• Taxes – Washington State public utility taxes.

• Current charges – Total of all fees, usage, and taxes for the current billing cycle.

• Amount due – Total payment due by the due date.

When are Bills Issued and Due?

North City Water bills monthly on a consistent schedule:

• Bills issued – On or around the 27th of each month

• Due date – Around the 17th of the following month

• Late after – Payments received after the 17th are considered late

So for example, your February bill is issued on January 27th and due by February 17th. Pay attention to due dates to avoid late fees.

How to Pay Your North City Water Bill

North City Water offers several convenient payment options:

Pay Online

• Visit www.northcitywater.org and click on Pay Your Water Bill.

• Login or register for an online account.

• Pay by e-check from your bank account or with a credit/debit card (fee applies).

• View billing history and make recurring payments.

Pay by Phone

• Call 206-362-8100 and select option #3.

• Pay with a debit/credit card over the phone (fee applies).

• Have your account number handy to process payment.

Pay by Mail

• Send a check or money order payable to North City Water District.

• Mail to PO Box 55367, Shoreline, WA 98155.

• Allow time for USPS delivery to avoid late fees.

Pay In-Person

• Visit the North City Water office at 1519 NE 177th St, Shoreline, WA 98155.

• Pay at the drive-up window or front office during business hours.

• Use the drop box to the left of the front doors after hours.

Pay by Direct Debit

• Set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account.

• Download the Direct Debit form from the website and submit to North City.

• Deducts payment on your bill’s due date each month.

Financial Assistance Resources

If you’re facing financial hardship and struggling to pay your water bill, North City partners with Washington 2-1-1 to connect residents with assistance programs and resources.

What Happens If You Pay Late?

As of January 2022, North City has resumed assessing late payment fees and shutting off water service for overdue accounts. Here’s what to expect:

• A 1.5% late fee applied to overdue account balances.

• Shut off notices mailed after 2 missed payments.

• Water service discontinued around 2 weeks after final shut off notice.

• Service restoration fee of $25 once a past due balance is paid.

Avoid fees and disruptions by paying on time, setting up a payment plan if needed, or contacting North City immediately if you anticipate difficulty paying your water bill.

Tips for Managing Your Water Bill

Here are some tips to control costs and keep your North City Water bill affordable each month:

• Monitor your daily usage and watch for leaks.

• Compare pricing tiers to track when you move into more expensive rates.

• Install water efficient fixtures like low-flow showerheads.

• Run full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher.

• Don’t let taps run unnecessarily.

• Consider water usage when nurturing your lawn and landscaping.

• Contact North City if your usage seems abnormal or to discuss payment plans.