How to Easily Pay Your Port Huron Water Bill

Living in Port Huron, Michigan means being a customer of the city’s municipal water system Paying your Port Huron water bill on time each month is important to avoid any service disruptions The city offers multiple ways to pay your water bill conveniently. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain the payment options, online bill pay, fees, and provide tips for managing your Port Huron water account.

Overview of Port Huron Water Utility

The City of Port Huron provides water service to over 30,000 residential and commercial customers across the region The water system is maintained and operated by the Port Huron Water Office located at 100 McMorran Blvd in Port Huron.

Customers are billed monthly for water service based on actual or estimated meter readings. Bills are issued at the beginning of each month, with payments due by the 10th to avoid late fees. The utility provides clean, safe drinking water delivered through nearly 200 miles of water mains.

Understanding your water usage and bill payment options helps ensure reliable service. Here’s what you need to know about paying your Port Huron water bill.

Ways to Pay Your Port Huron Water Bill

The City of Port Huron offers several payment methods to provide convenience and flexibility:

• Online – Pay via the city’s online payment portal using e-check or credit/debit card.

• Mail – Send a check or money order payable to City of Port Huron using the payment stub from your water bill.

• Drive-Up Window – Pay by cash, check or money order at the drive-up window at City Hall.

• Drop Box – Place your water bill payment in the secure drop box at City Hall entrance.

• In Person – Pay by cash, check or money order at the Water Office service counter.

• AutoPay – Enroll to have payments automatically deducted from your bank account each month.

• Phone – Call the Water Office during business hours to pay over the phone.

Having these options makes paying on time before the monthly due date easy and convenient.

Paying Your Water Bill Online

The easiest way to pay your Port Huron water bill is online through the city’s web payment portal. To pay online:

1. Go to www.porthuron.org and click on “Online Payments”

2. Select “Utility Billing Payment” from the dropdown menu

3. Enter your 10-digit account number and 4-digit PIN

4. Choose a payment method – e-check or credit/debit card

5. Enter payment amount and submit

The online system is available 24/7 for payments by e-check or credit/debit card. You’ll receive an email receipt for your records. Online payments made by 5:00 pm are reflected in your account the same day.

Understanding Your Water Bill

Your monthly Port Huron water bill provides detailed information on your charges, water usage, account status and more. Key sections include:

• Account Summary – Shows previous and current charges, payments received, and account balance. Lists due date.

• Meter Readings – Usage in gallons along with service period dates for current and previous meter read.

• Consumption Analysis – Graph of your monthly water usage history for the past 13 months.

• Message Board – Important notifications like rate changes from the Water Office.

Closely monitoring your usage and charges enables you to catch any billing errors. Keep bills to compare monthly consumption. Contact the Water Office with any bill questions.

Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection

Port Huron water bills must be paid by the due date to avoid penalties and potential service disruption. Here are key deadlines:

• Due Date – Full payment must be received by the 10th of each month.

• Late Fee – A 10% penalty is applied to past due accounts after the due date.

• Shut Off Notice – If a bill is 30 days past due, a Shut Off Notice is mailed advising disconnection.

• Shut Off Date – Accounts with balances outstanding for 60+ days will have water service disconnected.

• Reconnection Fee – A $50 fee is charged to resume service after disconnection.

Paying on time shields you from these fees and service interruptions. If you anticipate issues paying, contact the Water Office immediately to set up a payment plan.

Payment Plan Options

Port Huron understands occasional financial difficulties in paying your water bill. Payment arrangements are available by contacting the Water Office.

Some options include:

• Deferred Payment Plan – Allows past due balance to be paid over a 90 day period along with current charges.

• Line 5 Assistance – Reduced rates are offered based on qualifying income levels to help manage bills.

• Payment Extensions – Due dates can be extended by 7-10 days for those paid monthly or bi-weekly.

• Leak Adjustments – One adjustment annually is provided if a leak caused higher usage.

Establishing an approved payment solution prevents water service disconnection. Payment plans give you flexibility when bills are unaffordable.

Tips for Managing Your Water Account

Here are some tips for staying on top of your Port Huron water bill:

• Provide accurate contact information and update any changes to ensure you receive bills and shut off notices.

• Review bills monthly and report any unusual spikes in usage which could indicate leaks.

• Sign up for reminders about your bill’s due date and to receive usage alerts.

• Enroll in Autopay or schedule reminders to pay prior to the monthly due date.

• Compare pricing on budget billing to determine if it makes sense for managing seasonal variance.

• Take advantage of high usage email alerts to monitor abnormal spikes.

• Check the city’s website and social media for any billing announcements and updates.

Proactively monitoring your water usage and account habits prevents surprise late fees and allows resolving issues early.

Paying your water bill in Port Huron is stress-free when you understand the payment options and account management tips. Pay online, by phone, or use the drop box for convenience. Sign up for billing reminders and monitor usage closely each month. Contact the Water Office if you need help paying on time.