How to Pay Your Athens Water Bill: A Complete Guide

Paying your water bill on time and in full is an important responsibility as a resident of Athens. While it may seem straightforward there are actually a few different options for how to pay your Athens water bill. This guide will walk through the available payment methods tips for avoiding late fees, and how to get assistance if you’re struggling to pay.

Overview of Athens Water Utility Billing

The water utility in Athens is run by the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities Department (ACC PUD). They handle billing and payment collection for water and sewer services in the area.

Customers receive monthly bills by mail that are due 20 days after the billing date. If payment is not received by the due date a 10% late fee will be added to the account. Accounts more than 30 days past due may have water service disconnected until payment is made.

Now let’s look at the different ways Athens residents can pay their water bill

Pay Online

The easiest way for most customers to pay their Athens water bill is online through the ACC PUD website. You can make secure credit or debit card payments 24/7 without any fees.

To pay online, first create an account on the ACC PUD website. You’ll need your account number from a recent bill. Once your account is set up, you can log in anytime to view your balance and make payments.

The online payment portal allows you to:

• Pay by credit/debit card with no fee
• View payment history and balance
• Set up automatic payments
• Receive email bill reminders

Paying online is fast, convenient, and helps avoid late fees. It’s the recommended option for anyone who wants to easily manage their water bill payments online.

Pay by Phone

You can also pay your Athens water bill over the phone by calling 706-613-3500. The ACC PUD office staff will take your payment info and process credit/debit cards for phone payments.

This can be a good option if you don’t have time to deal with mailing a check or missed the online payment deadline. Just keep in mind that the office is only open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.

Pay by Mail

If you prefer to mail in payments the old fashioned way, that’s still an option too. Each monthly bill comes with a payment stub and return envelope that you can use to send in a check or money order.

Be sure to allow 7-10 days for mailed payments to reach the billing office and be processed to avoid late fees. Send your mailed payments to:

ACC Water Business Office
PO Box 106058
Atlanta, GA 30348-6058

One downside to mailing payments is that they can get lost or delayed. If you go this route, be sure to mail at least 7-10 days before the due date to ensure on-time delivery.

Pay in Person

For those who prefer to pay bills in person, you can drop off payment at the ACC PUD Water Business Office located at 124 E. Hancock Ave in Athens.

Their lobby is open for bill payments Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card when visiting the office.

After hours, you can use the drop boxes located in front and back of the building to leave checks or money orders anytime.

Bank Bill Pay or Auto Draft

Two other options for effortless bill payment are bank bill pay or auto draft through ACC PUD.

With bank bill pay, you provide your water account details to your bank, and they will mail a check to ACC PUD each month on your behalf. This avoids you having to remember to pay, but does mean waiting for the check to arrive.

For hands-off convenience, ACC PUD offers an auto draft program where they deduct your water bill directly from your checking account each month. No hassles, no late fees – just smooth automated payments.

You do have to enroll and provide bank account info to use the ACC auto draft program. Get details on their website or by calling their billing office.

Avoid Late Fees

Now that you know how to pay your Athens water bill, a key tip is making sure you pay on time every month. ACC PUD charges a 10% late fee on any bills not paid by the due date.

You can avoid late fees by:

• Paying online and setting bill reminders
• Using bank auto pay or ACC autodraft
• Mailing payments 7-10 days early
• Tracking your bill due dates and paying on time

If you do end up with a late bill, call ACC PUD immediately and politely ask if they can waive the late fee. If it’s a one-time oversight they may forgive the fee, especially if you enroll in autopay.

Get Payment Assistance if Needed

For low-income residents or those facing financial hardship, paying water bills can be challenging. If you anticipate having trouble paying, contact ACC PUD before you miss a payment to ask about assistance programs.

Some options include:

• Payment plans – ACC PUD may let you divide the balance into smaller monthly payments.
• LIHEAP federal aid – Provides utility bill assistance for qualifying low incomes.
• Nonprofit funds – Some charities like LIFT-UP offer utility bill grants.

ACC PUD also has instructions on their website for requesting an adjustment to your water bill if you feel there are errors.

Reaching out early is key – help is available but works best if you contact them before falling behind on payments.

In Summary

Paying your monthly Athens water bill doesn’t have to be painful or confusing. Just remember:

• Pay online for convenience and avoid late fees
• Mark your calendar with bill due dates
• Ask about assistance programs if needed
• Setup autopay or bill reminders
• Contact ACC PUD with any billing questions

Sticking to a routine and utilizing the online payment options will make paying your Athens water bill a breeze.