How to Pay Your Elk River Utilities Bill Online, By Phone, or In Person

Living in Elk River, Minnesota? Then you likely get your electric and water services from Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) As a local, public utility, ERMU makes paying your monthly utility bill quick and convenient through multiple options Read on to learn the easiest ways to pay your ERMU electric and water bill to avoid late fees and disconnection.

As an Elk River resident for over 5 years, I’ve paid my ERMU bill through various methods. Recently I signed up for auto-pay to make it effortless each month. But before that, I’d paid online, by mail, phone, and in person at their office.

Below I’ll outline the most common ways to pay your ERMU utility bill, including:

• Paying online through SmartHub
• Calling to pay over the phone
• Mailing in a physical check
• Dropping off payment at the ERMU office
• Setting up recurring auto-pay
• Understanding your ERMU bill charges
• Avoiding late payment fees
• Getting account help from customer service

Read on to learn how to quickly and easily pay your ERMU electric and water bill every month

Paying Your ERMU Bill Online

The most convenient way to pay your utility bill to ERMU is through their online SmartHub portal. Here’s how to pay online in just minutes:

1. Go to www.ermumn.com and click on “My Account”

2. Choose the SmartHub icon and either log into your account or register as a new user

3. Once logged in, click on the “Billing & Payments” tab

4. Select the account and amount you want to pay. Click “Pay Now.”

5. Enter your payment details. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or e-check.

6. Carefully review everything before submitting payment.

7. You’ll receive instant payment confirmation onscreen and via email.

Paying online is my preferred method since I can do it in my PJs whenever it’s convenient. The SmartHub portal is user-friendly with a simple payment process. I also like getting digital confirmation that my payment went through.

Paying Your ERMU Bill by Phone

In addition to online payments, ERMU offers a pay-by-phone option:

• Call 763-441-2020 to reach the ERMU automated phone payment system

• Enter your ERMU account number and the payment amount using your keypad

• Select whether you want to pay by credit card, debit card, or e-check

• Provide your card number or bank account information when prompted

• Stay on the line until you receive a payment confirmation number

Paying by phone is handy when you’re on the go or need to make a last minute payment before your bill’s due date. Just know ERMU charges a small phone payment fee for using this service.

Mailing a Check to ERMU

To pay your ERMU bill by mail, send your check to:

Elk River Municipal Utilities
PO Box 430
Elk River, MN 55330

Make checks payable to “Elk River Municipal Utilities” and write your account number on the memo line.

Allow 5+ business days for mailed payments to reach ERMU before your bill’s due date. Include your payment stub or write your account number on the envelope.

Paying Your Bill In Person

You can pay your utility bill in person at the ERMU office located at:

13069 Orono Pkwy
Elk River, MN 55330

The office is open 8am – 4:30pm Monday thru Thursday, and 8:30am – 4:30pm on Fridays. In-person payments must be made before 4:30pm on your bill’s due date to avoid late fees.

ERMU accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards for in-person bill payment. Be sure to get a paper receipt when paying at the office.

Setting Up Auto-Payments

The easiest option is enrolling in ERMU’s auto-pay program so your utility bill gets paid automatically each month. Here’s how to set up recurring payments:

1. Register for a SmartHub online account on the ERMU website

2. Under “My Profile,” click on AutoPay Program

3. Choose whether to link your bank account or credit/debit card

4. Enter your payment information and confirm enrollment

5. Your monthly bill will now debit automatically on the due date

With auto-pay, I don’t have to think about my ERMU bill ever again. The amount due gets deducted from my account each month, saving me time and avoiding late fees. Just be sure to review your bill for errors before the payment date.

Understanding Your ERMU Bill Charges

When reviewing your monthly ERMU bill, you may see these common line items:

• Electric Usage – This varies based on metered kilowatt-hour usage each month.

• Water Usage – Also fluctuates monthly based on metered water consumption.

• Customer Charge – A fixed monthly fee covering metering, billing, etc.

• Municipal Franchise Fee – A surcharge paid to local government.

• Taxes – Local sales tax and other applicable taxes.

• Past Due Balance – Any remaining balance carried over from your prior bill.

Carefully review all charges before paying your ERMU utility bill. Contact them with any bill questions.

Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection

Pay your ERMU electric and water bill by the due date each month to avoid:

• Late Payment Fees – ERMU tacks on a penalty around $10 for overdue bills.

• Disconnect Notice – Get a shut off warning if your bill is 20+ days past due.

• Utility Shut Off – ERMU can physically disconnect electric and water for non-payment.

• Collections – Delinquent accounts may get sent to a collection agency, damaging your credit.

Set bill reminders, enroll in autopay, and monitor usage to prevent late fees or disconnection. Notify ERMU immediately if you expect payment challenges. Keep your account current to avoid credit damage.

Getting Billing Help and Disputing Charges

If you have questions on your ERMU bill or think your charges are wrong, contact ERMU customer service right away:

• Phone: 763-441-2020

• Email: Use the online contact form

• In person: Visit the office at 13069 Orono Pkwy in Elk River

Some common billing issues ERMU can help with:

• Unusually high usage

• Meter read errors

• Payment posting problems

• Billing for someone else’s service

• Applying for payment assistance

Don’t ignore questionable charges on your bill. Call ERMU as soon as possible with your account number, disputed charges, and any documentation.

Paying Your Elk River Utility Bill is Simple