Pay Your Utility Bill offers information on how to pay your utility bill.
What are the upcoming water and sewer rate increases?
Beginning June 1, 2016, and every year afterwards, the yearly water rates shall be raised upwardly, if applicable, by applying the preceding year’s rate of inflation, according to the Municipal Code of Chicago. This increase is based on the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index – Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (Chicago All Items) for the 365-day period ending on the most recent January 1. However, any such annual rise must be limited to 105 percent of the preceding year’s rate.
Water and sewer rates rise in lockstep with the rate of inflation. These hikes are required to meet the ongoing costs of delivering safe, clean drinking water as well as eliminating waste water and storm runoff from Chicago’s streets. All of this is performed through a network of purification plants, tunnels, pumping stations, water mains, sewer mains, valves, and structures that need to be maintained on a regular basis. These services are required to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s water quality criteria. Chicago’s rates for fresh, clean water will remain among the lowest in the country, at less than a cent a gallon.
How do I determine if I have a metered or non-metered account?
Your account type is indicated in the blue box next to the Bill Summary on your consolidated utility bill. It will say whether the account is non-metered, metered, or MeterSave.
How are non-metered accounts billed?
Non-metered accounts are for properties without a water meter to track usage. Non-metered accounts, unlike metered accounts, are charged a set fee depending on characteristics such as building size, lot size, and plumbing fixtures, according to the Municipal Code of Chicago. A breakdown of the computed charges particular to the property is presented on the reverse of non-metered utility bills. See Chapter 11-12-270 of the Chicago Municipal Code for more information on non-metered charges.
How are metered accounts billed?
The actual water usage measured by the water meter is used to bill metered accounts. Water usage is measured in gallons or cubic feet, depending on the type of water meter installed on your home. Metered accounts’ water charges are computed by multiplying the amount of water used by the water rate.
Depending on the property type, metered accounts are billed monthly or bi-weekly.
The Department of Water Management (DWM) is occasionally unable to obtain an accurate meter reading. You will be sent an approximate bill if this happens. When DWM is able to obtain an accurate meter reading, you will be sent a bill that accurately reflects your usage. Customers are encouraged to request the installation of an automatic meter reader to minimize estimated reads that may not accurately reflect real usage. For further information, contact the DWM at 312.747.2862.
Can I manage my utility billing account online?
For utility bills, we now have a new web gateway. The following are some of the useful online features:
You can pay your bills with automatic debits from your bank account using the AutoPay feature. You won’t have to remember to pay your bill if you use AutoPay. There are no service costs, and you will be notified via email before the automated deduction takes place.
What is the Water-Sewer Tax?
Water and sewer tax costs have been included on utility bills since March 2017. The money raised from this tax will be used to make certain pension payments that are required by law. All non-exempt Chicago companies and residents are subject to the tax, which is reported as a distinct line item on utility bills. The Water-Sewer Tax FAQ lists the specific tax rates for each year.
What is the Garbage Fee?
The garbage fee is assessed to all premises that receive waste collection from the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. See the Garbage Fee website for further details.
How do I dispute my utility bill?
We recommend paying online, over the phone, or in person at a City of Chicago Department of Finance Payment Center if you have received a notification of water service termination.
Payment plans are available if you are unable to pay your amount in full. More details can be found under utility bill payment plans.
How do I change the name on an account when a property has transferred or is going to be transferred?
Through the Full Payment Certificate Process, the owner’s name is changed. When real estate is transferred in the City of Chicago, the transferor must acquire a Full Payment Certificate (FPC) from the Chicago Department of Finance, as required by ordinance. The FPC application informs the Department of Finance that service should be transferred from the transferor’s name to the transferee’s name.
Please contact the Department of Finance/Utility Billing & Customer Service if you continue to receive invoices in the previous owner’s name. You can request a change by filling out the Change of Owner Name/Mailing Address Form. You may be needed to produce a copy of the deed and/or full payment certificate if Utility Billing & Customer Service does not have a record of the Full Payment Certificate from your closing.
How do I get a refund?
A Refund Application is available for download. Fill out the application completely and thoroughly. Make sure it’s entirely filled out and that you’ve attached all of the required supporting documents. Due to a lack of paperwork, an incomplete application will be declined.
Why am I receiving an estimated bill?
Meters are typically read every 30 to 60 days. The Department of Water Management is occasionally unable to obtain an accurate meter reading. This could happen if we are unable to receive an electronic signal from your meter or if access to the meter is restricted. You will be sent an approximate bill if this happens. When the Department of Water Management is able to obtain an accurate meter reading, you will be sent a bill that accurately reflects your usage.
Customers are encouraged to request the installation of an automatic meter reader to make it easier to collect accurate meter readings and assure accurate billing. For further information, contact the DWM at 312.747.2862.
I received a letter stating that my meter is running continuously, what does this mean?
This letter is being sent to you as a courtesy to alert you about the possibility of a water leak in or on your property. A meter that keeps running is a sign of a leak. It could also be the amount of water you use on a regular basis. This is something you should look into further.
By ordinance, the Department of Finance must bill and collect for all water usage recorded on your water meter. When water has been used, squandered, or lost due to leakage after registration, no account modifications or billing cancellation can be performed.
I received an Orange Notice of Water Service Termination what does this mean?
This implies that owing to non-payment, your water will be turned off as of the date on the notice. You must make payment or enter into a payment plan by the shut-off date on the notice to avoid water service termination.
I received a Yellow Notice of Water Service Termination what does this mean?
This implies that your water will be turned off as of the date on the notice because DWM has been denied access to the building’s water meter. To avoid having your water supply terminated, call DWM at 312.747.9090 to schedule a meter reading within 10 days of the notice’s date.
What should I do if my water has been shut-off for non-payment?
You must either pay your account in full or enroll in an eligible payment plan if you qualify.
Before your water service can be restored, you must sign a Release of Liability if your water has been turned off for more than 30 days.
NOTE: A $500.00 punishment will be imposed if your water is unlawfully restored. The Department of Water Management inspects properties on a regular basis to see if the water has been unlawfully restored.
Can a tenant have the water bill put in their name?
Although a property owner may request that water bills be delivered to a tenant’s name, this does not absolve the owner of the subject property of duty for unpaid utility expenses. To include the tenant’s name in the mailing address, please fill out a Change of Owner Name/Mailing Address Form.
Does filing bankruptcy relieve me of outstanding utility charges?
Your account will be updated to reflect that the bankruptcy was filed for the stated pre-petition charges after you have been notified. All new post-petition charges must be paid in whole and on time by you. We reserve the right to pursue collection actions, including the termination of your water service, if your current costs are not paid.
How do I remove my name from an account for a property lost in foreclosure?
The titleholder of record is responsible for all utility billing account charges up to the date of foreclosure, according to the Chicago Municipal Code. The borrower may still have certain rights to the property until a Foreclosure Deed is signed. The titleholder of record remains liable for utility billing obligations if the foreclosure is only pending (Lis Pendens) and not yet executed.
Is it possible to change the name on my water bill?
Correcting the name on your account is a reasonably simple process if you only need to update the name or title on your utility invoices, but the payment information remain the same. The simplest approach to do this is through your supplier’s website’s customer interface. Although different websites have slightly different user interfaces, the following steps should be followed:
- Re-access your account and repeat the second and third steps to ensure your name has been altered.
How do I change my bank account details?
Alternatively, you might keep the name at the top of your statement the same but alter the account from which the bill is paid. You may want to modify your utility accounts so that your bank information are used for payment if your spouse is wounded, unwell, or unable to work. The bill’s name, however, stays the same.
If you don’t want to change your name on your utility bills online, you can call your supplier and request that they correct your information for you. If you have an online-only energy tariff, however, you may not be able to do so.
Getting consent for changes on the account
Your energy provider may ask the current account holder, the new account holder / payer, or both for permission. They may make this request orally (in which case you can simply give consent over the phone). If the supplier asks a letter of authority, you can either send it in the mail or scan it and send it electronically.
Can you have 2 names on a utility bill?
If you’ve just moved in with a partner, married, or taken on a new housemate, you should update your utility bills and account to include their name. Although you may not be able to accomplish this online, it is quite simple to do. In most circumstances, calling, writing, or emailing your energy provider to add a new name to your utility account is the only option to do so. You should be able to resolve this with the help of a customer support professional.
It’s worth noting, though, that when a new name is added to your utility bill, that individual now shares responsibility for the payments, as well as the potential consequences if they aren’t paid on time. They also have an effect on both partners’ credit scores.
Other ways to pay:
You can also pay by phone, mail, or in person at a payment center or an automated EZ Pay Station in addition to paying online.
- In-Person Payments: City Hall, neighborhood locations, and automated EZ Pay stations are all available for in-person payments.
- 2) The Central Hearing Facility is located at 400 W. Superior, 1st Floor, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Forms of Payment
Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover are the major credit cards accepted by the city. The Visa or MasterCard logo is required on debit cards.
- Check, cashier’s check, money order, credit/debit cards, or cash are accepted at the payment center.
Payment Plans
There are payment plans available if you are unable to pay your utility bill in full. You can enroll in a plan online, over the phone at 312.744.4426, or in person at any of the neighborhood payment centers at City Hall.
What is the average Chicago water bill?
Your household’s average water bill may differ significantly from the city’s average water bill in Chicago. However, we can provide you with an estimate to help you figure out your pricing.
The average person uses 100 gallons of water each day for indoor use, according to estimates. This includes showering, going to the bathroom, cooking, and doing the dishes.
In 2021, based on Chicago water rates, this would imply that a resident uses $0.41 worth of water each day. The monthly water cost would be $12.50 as a result.
Because the sewage rate is 100 percent of the water rate, your monthly water bill at this consumption would be roughly $25.
The higher your typical water bill is, the more people you live with. Despite higher water usage, you’ll see a cheaper cost per person if you have more roommates to assist you pay down the expenditures.
Keep in mind that this is just an estimate based on national averages and the water rate in Chicago.
Is it necessary to have joint electric bills?
Unless you live in an apartment or condo with utilities included, the most common costs are phone, gas, electric, cable TV, and Internet. You should definitely put both names on these bills if one of you has never received a gas or electric bill in his or her name. If one of you passes away, the surviving spouse will still require service, but utilities typically want a deposit if you have no previous experience with them. This problem is avoided by having both names on the bill. If you get a landline, make sure it’s in both of your names, as is the cable bill. You may want to keep your cell phones separate if you have them.
What can I do to lower my water bill?
Frequently Asked Questions about Water Bills
- Do not hand-wash dishes; a full dishwasher load uses up to 1/6 less water.
- When shaving or brushing your teeth, don’t let the water flow less water, less money.
What is the minimum amount of money required to live comfortably in Chicago?
So, how much more will you have to pay in the city to have the same degree of comfort as in the suburbs?
According to a recent analysis by GOBankingRates, here’s a look at some of the country’s biggest cities and how much you’d need to earn to live there.
Chicago, IL
Surprisingly, the Windy City is one of the most cheap metropolitan cities to live in. While it has the country’s third-largest population, the cost of living isn’t nearly as costly as some of the smaller cities on the list.
To live comfortably in Chicago, you’ll need to earn roughly $94,917 as a renter or $84,765 as a homeowner, after taking in housing costs, transportation, utilities, and groceries. Unfortunately for many Chicago residents, the city’s median income is only $52,497, leaving a $32,000 gap on average.
Philadelphia, PA
Although Philadelphia is known as the “City of Brotherly Love,” the cost of living there is everything but loving. Here, you’ll need to earn around $82,439 as a renter or $92,639 as a homeowner in order to live comfortably. However, the city’s median income is only $40,649, less than half the national average cost of living!
Tuscon, AZ
First, the good news about living in Tuscon: to live comfortably in the city, you only need $74,070 as a renter and $72,870 as a homeowner.
Now for the bad news: Tuscon’s median income is a pitiful $39,617, significantly below the national average and less than half of what you’d need to live here.
San Diego, CA
You’re probably not shocked to find California towns on this list, given the state’s reputation for exorbitant housing costs and other high living costs. The actual numbers, on the other hand, may be enough to scare you away from ever migrating to California.
The median household income in San Diego is $71,535. This appears to be a large numberand well over the national averageuntil you consider the typical cost of living: to live comfortably as a renter, you’d need $120,786 and to live comfortably as a homeowner, you’d need $137,826.
Virginia Beach, VA
Not all bad news for residents and their salaries comes from big cities. Take, for example, Virginia Beach.
The median household income in this area is $70,500, which is significantly more than the national average. As a renter, you’d only need $87,328 and as a homeowner, you’d only need $83,176, a far lower difference than in most other major cities.
Despite the fact that Virginia Beach is the largest city in the state of Virginia, many people would leave it off the list of big cities in America. It’s simple to see why when contrasted to cities like New York, which has a population of nearly 8 million people.
San Francisco, CA
The average annual salary in San Francisco is a staggering $96,265 dollars, which would get you very far in most other American cities. However, it won’t make nearly as big of a hole in the cost of living here: as a renter, you’ll need $164,214 and as a homeowner, you’ll need $230,286 to pay your bills.
Kansas City, MO
Residents of Kansas City will not be hit as hard by rising living costs as their counterparts in other metropolitan cities. The median salary in this town is a modest $50,136, but if you’re a homeowner, you’ll only need $67,647 and if you’re a renter, you’ll only need $72,303 to live comfortably.
Yes, there is still a gap between income and expense of living, but it is significantly lower than in many other large cities we’ve visited.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is near (though not always dear) to my heart as a resident of northern Virginia. It is, however, very expensive to live here!
The median annual income in D.C. is $77,649 dollars. To live comfortably here, they’ll need $122,934 as renters and $142,230 as homeowners.
New York, NY
Have you ever felt like you needed to make twice as much as you did before you could get ahead? Then you might want to consider relocating to New York City.
Residents of the Big Apple have a median income of $57,782, which is barely below the national average. The cost of living, on the other hand, is dramatically higher: $128,552 for renters and a terrible $148,448 for homeowners, which is over three times what inhabitants really make each year.
Miami, FL
You might be as surprised as I was to find that Miami is actually more expensive to live in than New York City or several of the California cities on this list (in terms of cost of living).
The typical household income is $33,999, which is substantially below the national average. To make ends meet, you’d need to earn $104,965 as a homeowner and $109,525 as a renter. This is more than three times what the average person earns in a year.