How to Pay Your Water Bill in the City of St. Clair Shores

Living in the city of St. Clair Shores means reliable water service from the municipality. But with service comes responsibility – namely paying your quarterly water bill The city offers several convenient payment options to fit any schedule or preference Read on to learn the simple process of paying your St. Clair Shores water bill.

Overview of Water Billing in St. Clair Shores

Let’s start with a quick overview of how water billing works in St. Clair Shores:

• Bills are issued quarterly – in January, April, July, and October
• Payments are due 3 weeks after bills are mailed
• Bills include water usage, sewer charges, and a fixed customer charge based on meter size
• Residential meters larger than 3⁄4” are billed at the 3⁄4” meter rate
• Retention basin and surcharges may also apply

As a residential customer, you likely don’t have to worry about commercial meter charges or large meter fees. But it helps to understand how the city calculates your bill.

Now let’s look at the payment options for settling your St Clair Shores water bill each quarter

Pay Online for Fast, Paperless Payment

The easiest way to pay your water bill is through the city’s online payment portal. You can make one-time payments or set up recurring payments directly from your bank account.

To pay online:

1. Go to www.scsmi.net

2. Click on “Payments” then “Pay Water Bill Online”

3. Register for an account or log in

4. Select a payment option and enter your payment info

5. Receive instant email confirmation of payment

I love paying my bill online because it’s fast, secure, and environmentally friendly. No checks to write or stamps to waste. Payments post instantly to my account too.

Use the Drop Box at City Hall for Check or Money Order

If you prefer to pay by check or money order, you can use the drop box located at the south entrance of St. Clair Shores City Hall. Payments left in the drop box before 4:30pm on business days get processed the same day.

To pay using the drop box:

• Write your water account number on your check or money order
• Place your payment in an envelope marked “Water Bill”
• Drop your envelope in the outside drop box at City Hall before 4:30pm

This is a great payment option if you are already visiting City Hall for other business or live nearby. Just remember that only checks or money orders can be left in the drop box – no cash.

Mail Your Payment with Proper Postage

You can also mail your water bill payment to the city’s payment processing center. Be sure to allow 5-7 business days for standard mail delivery to avoid late fees.

To pay by mail:

• Write your water account number on your check or money order

• Mail your payment to:

  City of St. Clair Shores
  PO Box 2122
  Detroit, MI 48231-2122

• Use proper postage – payments with insufficient postage may be returned to you as unpaid

I’d only recommend mailing your payment if needed to meet the due date. Online and drop box payments are processed much quicker. But mailing is an option in a pinch.

Pay In-Person at City Hall During Business Hours

For those who prefer to pay bills in-person, you can bring your water bill payment to the cashier at St. Clair Shores City Hall during regular business hours. Cash, check, money order and credit/debit cards are accepted.

To pay at City Hall:

• Have your water bill available for reference

• Visit the cashier during business hours:

  Monday-Friday
  8am-4:30pm

• Bring cash, check, money order or credit/debit card for payment

• Receive a printed receipt of payment

Paying at City Hall allows you to get proof of payment on the spot. Just be sure to go during cashier hours and avoid peak times like lunch hours or end-of-month.

Enroll in Recurring AutoPay for Effortless Payment

The easiest way to ensure your water bill gets paid on time every quarter is to enroll in auto-pay through the city’s EZ Pay program. This authorizes recurring payments from your bank account on each bill’s due date.

To enroll in auto-pay:

1. Download the EZ Pay form from the city’s website

2. Complete the form with your account and bank account details

3. Attach a voided check to verify your bank account

4. Mail the form and voided check to City Hall

Once enrolled, you’ll receive bills as usual but payments will process automatically on the due date. Just be sure to maintain sufficient funds in your linked bank account to cover each payment.

Going on autopilot with bill pay removes the hassle of remembering due dates. Auto-pay customers also avoid late fees and service disruptions from missed payments. It provides serious peace of mind.

Avoid Penalties by Paying Before the Due Date

However you choose to pay your St. Clair Shores water bill, be sure to remit payment before the printed due date. Payments received after the due date incur a 10% penalty.

If your payment is late by more than 5 days, a $25 fee is also assessed to your account. And extremely delinquent accounts may have water service suspended until the balance is paid in full.

As long as you pay by the due date printed on your bill, you can avoid any penalties using the payment options outlined above. Online and auto-pay help prevent late payments.

Contact the Water Billing Department with Any Questions

If you have any questions about your water bill or available payment options, the city’s Water Billing Department is available to help:

Water Billing Department

Phone: 586-447-3317

Fax: 586-445-5245

Email: [email protected]

The department can clarify billing details, assist with final payments for move-outs, enroll you in payment plans if needed, and more. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them regarding your account.

Paying your water bill on time doesn’t have to be a hassle with the convenient options provided by St. Clair Shores. Choose the payment method that suits your needs and lifestyle. Then relax knowing your city services will continue uninterrupted. It’s a simple process to fulfill your obligations as a St. Clair Shores water customer.