Paying Your Water Bill with Amador Water Agency

Having access to clean reliable water is essential for every community. In Amador County California, the Amador Water Agency (AWA) provides this critical service for residents and businesses. AWA manages water delivery, wastewater treatment, system maintenance and more throughout the county.

For customers, an important aspect of this relationship is being able to easily pay their water bills. This article will explain the bill pay options available through AWA and provide tips for managing your water account.

Understanding Your Water Bill

AWA sends out water bills on a monthly or bi-monthly basis depending on your service area Bills are typically sent via mail but email delivery is also available

The bill includes charges for water usage, service fees and any other applicable rates. The back of the bill outlines the current water rates in detail. Usage is measured in hundreds of cubic feet (CCF) based on your water meter.

Beyond usage you may see service charges for things like water service, wastewater service and pumping zones if you live at higher elevations. Other fees like backflow device testing or turn on/off fees may apply as well.

Comparing your current usage and charges to previous bills can help you understand spikes and detect leaks. AWA also offers charts showing your last 12 months of usage online.

Ways to Pay Your AWA Water Bill

When it’s time to pay your water bill, AWA offers several convenient options:

• Online – Pay by e-check or credit card via the online payment portal. You can set up recurring payments or make one-time payments.

• Phone – Call AWA to make a payment over the phone using a credit card, debit card or checking account.

• Mail – Send a check or money order via standard mail to AWA’s office. Include your payment stub.

• In person – Visit the AWA office in Sutter Creek to pay with cash, check or credit/debit. A drive-up payment drop box is also available.

• Bank Bill Pay – Set up automatic monthly payments through your bank’s online bill pay system.

No matter how you prefer to pay bills, AWA likely has an option that fits your needs.

Tips for Paying Your Bill Smoothly

Follow these tips for keeping your water bill payments on track:

• Provide updated contact information like your mailing address, email and phone number to AWA. This ensures you receive bills and notices.

• Review bills promptly to check for errors and avoid late fees. Contact AWA with any bill concerns.

• Sign up for paperless e-billing to receive bills faster and reduce clutter.

• Enroll in autopay or recurring payments so your bill is always paid on time.

• Take advantage of budget billing to spread costs evenly over the year.

• Ask about payment plans or extensions if you are ever unable to pay by the due date.

• Notify AWA prior to moving so final bills go to the right address and your service stops correctly.

Staying organized and communicating with AWA when issues arise are key to smooth billing.

Paying Your Bill Online

AWA’s online bill pay system is a convenient way to take control of your water account. To get started, visit AWA’s website and click on the “Pay My Bill” link.

You will first need to establish an online account connected to your water service address. Have your account number handy to link your home.

Once your account is created, you can:

• View and pay current or past due bills
• Access 12 months of billing history
• Set up recurring auto payments
• Store payment methods for faster checkout
• Go paperless by opting out of mailed bills
• Receive email reminders when bills are ready

The online system stores all your payment information securely. You can log in any time to manage payments and monitor your water usage.

Finding Bill Pay Assistance

For customers facing financial hardship, AWA provides options like payment plans and extensions to make paying water bills more manageable.

You can also inquire about available bill pay assistance programs like:

• Low-income discount programs – Offers reduced rates to qualifying households.

• HELP Program – Provides bill credits for seniors, disabled, and low-income residents.

• LifeLine Program – Discounts connection fees and monthly charges for low-income customers.

Let AWA know if you are ever struggling so they can connect you with programs that help cover water costs. Establishing prompt payment plans for overdue balances is key to avoiding service disruption.

Access to water is too essential to lose over an unpaid bill. Thankfully, AWA provides resources to help customers get back on track.

Switching to a New Online Payment Provider

In late 2022, AWA transitioned to a new online payment platform called Xpress Bill Pay.

If you paid your AWA bill online previously, you will now need to:

• Set up a new account on the Xpress Bill Pay website.

• Re-establish any autopay or paperless billing settings.

• Update payment information and stored payment methods.

The new platform offers enhanced features and convenience. But the transition does require customers to take action to avoid disrupted service.

Check your email or visit AWA’s website for detailed instructions on establishing your new online account. AWA’s customer service team can also assist with any questions.

Staying Informed as a Water Customer

As an AWA customer, staying informed helps you manage your account and understand your local water system.

Ways to stay in the loop include:

• Reading newsletter and updates sent by AWA via mail and email

• Following AWA on social media for news and alerts

• Attending board meetings and reviewing meeting minutes/agendas

• Visiting AWA’s website for water quality reports, project updates and other info

• Setting up emergency and water shortage alerts through notification services

• Contacting AWA by phone, email or in person with any inquiries

Engaged customers help AWA provide the best possible service to Amador County.

Paying your water bill and staying informed are both key parts of being a valued AWA customer. Utilize all the convenient billing and informational resources AWA offers to simplify water account management.