A Complete Guide to Paying Your City of Oak Ridge Utility Bill

The City of Oak Ridge provides electricity, water, sewer, and trash services to local homes and businesses. Paying your municipal utility bill on time each month is important to maintain uninterrupted service. This comprehensive guide will walk through the various ways Oak Ridge customers can pay their city utility bills.

Overview of Oak Ridge Utilities

The City of Oak Ridge Utility Business Office handles billing and payment collection for city-provided utilities including

• Electric power
• Water and sewer
• Trash and recycling

Utility rates are based on your service level and usage each month. Bills are issued monthly and payment is typically due within 20 days of billing.

Key details on Oak Ridge utility bills

• Bills are sent out on the last business day of each month.

• Payment is due on the 20th of the following month.

• A 10% late fee applies to overdue balances.

• Services may be disconnected if a bill is 60+ days past due.

• Payment options include online, phone, mail, auto-draft, and in-person.

Now let’s look at how to pay your Oak Ridge utility bill.

Paying Online

The fastest way to pay is through the online Customer Self Service (CSS) portal:

1. Go to customerservice.oakridgetn.gov

2. Click “Login” and enter your account credentials.

3. Locate your current bill and click “Make Payment”

4. Select a payment amount and enter your payment details.

5. Review and submit your payment.

Online payments via credit/debit card or e-check are processed instantly. You’ll receive an emailed receipt. It’s quick, easy, and available 24/7.

Paying by Phone

To pay your utility bill by phone:

1. Call the City of Oak Ridge at (865) 425-3400.

2. Select the billing and payment options.

3. Have your account number ready to check your balance.

4. Follow prompts to make your payment over the phone.

5. A $3 service fee applies to phone payments.

Phone payments must be made by credit/debit card. Speak to a representative if you need help paying by phone.

Paying by Mail

To pay your bill by physical mail:

1. Write your Oak Ridge account number on your check or money order.

2. Make payable to City of Oak Ridge.

3. Mail to P.O. Box 1, Oak Ridge, TN 37831.

Make sure to mail at least 7 days before your due date so it arrives on time. Check payments avoid fees but take longer to process.

Paying In Person

To pay your bill in person:

1. Visit the Oak Ridge Utility Business Office at 200 S. Tulane Ave.

2. Have your account number and payment ready.

3. Payments are accepted in cash, check, or money order.

4. Get assistance from a billing representative if needed.

In-person payment allows you to get same-day help with any account or billing issues.

Enrolling in Auto-Draft

For automatic payments, enroll in auto-draft:

1. Log into CSS and click “AutoPay Program.”

2. Choose bank account or credit/debit card.

3. Review and accept the terms and conditions.

4. Save your payment details to set up recurring payments.

With auto-draft, your bill is paid automatically each month by the due date. It prevents late fees and disruption of your utilities.

Avoiding Late Fees and Disconnection

Follow these tips to avoid late fees and potential shut-offs:

• Pay your bill in full by the 20th of each month.

• Contact Utility Billing if you need a due date extension.

• Set up autopay or reminders to pay bills on time.

• Keep your contact information current to get billing notices.

• Pay early online if traveling when your bill is due.

With on-time payment, you can receive uninterrupted electricity, water, sewer, and sanitation services in Oak Ridge!

Getting Account Support

If you need assistance with your Oak Ridge utility account, contact:

• The Utility Business Office online at oakridgetn.gov

• By phone at (865) 425-3400

• In person at 200 S. Tulane Ave.

Representatives can help with bill questions, due date changes, payment arrangements, service level changes, and final account closure.

Closing Your Utility Account

To close your account, you must:

• Pay off any outstanding balance owed.

• Notify Utility Billing to deactivate your account.

• Provide a forwarding address for your final bill.

• Return any rented equipment like water meters.

This cancels your services and closes the account permanently. Make sure to pay all final bills on time to avoid impacting your credit or future service eligibility.

Paying your Oak Ridge utilities is quick and easy through the online CSS portal, phone, mail, or in person. Enroll in auto-draft to prevent any worries about late payments. Just be sure to pay your bill in full each month by the due date to maintain uninterrupted utility services from the City of Oak Ridge. Use this guide for a smooth billing and payment experience.