Elkhart Public Utilities provides essential electric water and wastewater services to residents and businesses in the city of Elkhart, Indiana. It’s important for customers to understand their utility bills and know the ways to pay them on time. This guide will walk through reading your Elkhart utility bill, examine the rates, and outline the payment options available.
Overview of Elkhart Public Utilities
Elkhart Public Utilities (EPU) is the city utility department that manages:
- Electric distribution
- Water treatment and distribution
- Wastewater collection and treatment
They serve around 20,000 residential and commercial utility customers within the Elkhart city limits. EPU bills each customer monthly for usage of these utility services and infrastructure.
Paying your EPU bill is crucial to avoid late fees, disconnection, or other penalties. The utility offers multiple payment channels to make it easy and convenient.
Understanding Your EPU Utility Bill
Your monthly statement from EPU provides a breakdown of your charges for electric, water, sewer, and any other fees Here are the key sections
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Account summary – Displays your account number, service address, meter info, billing dates, and due date.
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Amount due – Total you owe for the current billing period. Shows payments and prior balance.
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Meter readings – Your meter readings at start and end of billing period for calculating usage.
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Consumption history – Charts your usage over the past 13 months to identify trends.
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Rates – Lists the utility rates assessed for the billing period.
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Itemized charges – Breaks down each utility service charge including base fees, volumetric rates, taxes, etc.
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Messages – Important notices like rate changes or peak usage alerts.
Carefully review your bill each month and contact EPU with any questions. Promptly paying the amount due by the due date will avoid late payment penalties.
EPU Electric, Water, and Sewer Rates
As an EPU customer, your monthly bill is based on:
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Electric Usage – Charged per kWh used based on tiered volumetric rates. Plus a fixed customer charge.
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Water Usage – Rate per 1,000 gallons based on winter or summer water rates. Plus a monthly water service charge.
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Sewer Usage – Based on your water consumption or winter average. Plus a wastewater service charge.
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Taxes & Fees – Includes sales taxes, utility receipts tax, lifts station charges, etc.
Rates are set by the Elkhart Board of Public Works and can change year to year. Check your bill messages for the current utility rates each month.
When is My EPU Utility Bill Due?
EPU bills for utility service monthly, with bills being issued around the 10th of each month.
The due date for payment is shown on your bill, typically around the 27th of the month. Payments must be received by EPU by this due date to avoid late fees.
If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, you payment is still due on that date. Plan to pay early if needed.
Ways to Pay Your EPU Utility Bill
Elkhart Public Utilities offers several options to pay your monthly utility bill:
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Online – Pay by credit/debit card or eCheck via the customer portal anytime.
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By phone – Call the EPU automated phone payment system at 574-293-2628 and pay with a card or check.
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Mail-in – Send a check or money order with your payment stub to the utility billing address.
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In person – Pay with cash, check, or card at the EPU office during business hours.
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Drop box – Place check or money order in the secure drop box behind the EPU building.
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AutoPay – Enroll to have your bill paid automatically from your bank account each month.
Paying online is the most convenient way to ensure your bill is paid on time each month. But pick the option that fits your needs. Just don’t forget the due date to avoid late fees!
Payment Assistance Programs
If you are having trouble paying your utility bill, EPU partners with community organizations to offer programs that may help including:
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LIHEAP – Provides federal energy assistance grants for low income households.
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Township Trustees – Can provide emergency utility bill assistance for residents in need.
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Salvation Army – Offers limited utility bill support for eligible households.
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Payment arrangements – Allows past due balance to be paid over time in installments.
You must meet income and eligibility guidelines for these assistance programs. Contact EPU for how to apply.
Disconnection and Late Payment Policy
If your EPU utility bill is not paid on time, late fees and potential disconnection can result:
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A one-time 10% late charge will be added if not paid by due date.
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After 15 days past due, a final notice is sent warning disconnection will occur if unpaid after 10 more days.
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A $25 disconnection visit fee is charged if EPU visits to shut off service, whether disconnected or not.
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A $25 reconnection fee applies if service is disconnected and must be restored.
Avoid fees and service interruptions by promptly paying your EPU utility bill in full each month. If you expect issues, contact them immediately for possible payment arrangements.
Moving or Closing Your Utility Account
If you are moving within or outside of Elkhart, you must close your EPU utility account. Take the following steps:
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Notify EPU at least 3 days before your move date to end service.
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Provide new mailing address for final bill.
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EPU will read your meters on the move out date and disconnect service.
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Receive and pay final bill, which will prorate charges to your disconnect date.
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Pay any unpaid balance before EPU can finalize account closure.
Be sure to open new service at your new address if moving locally. Closing your account properly ensures you don’t continue getting billed.
Contact EPU for Utility Account Help
Elkhart Public Utilities offers various resources to help customers:
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Contact EPU customer service by phone Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm at 574-264-4273.
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Email questions or requests to [email protected].
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View FAQs and account management tips on the EPU website.
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Get account notifications by text or email through EPU Connect.
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Follow EPU on Facebook and Twitter for news and updates.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to EPU if you ever have questions or issues with your utility account or monthly bill in Elkhart. Monitor your consumption, know the rates, and pay on time each month.
Sewer Backflow Preventer Programs
The City’s combined sewer system on rare occasions can result in a sewer backup in to basements. The City has a sewer backflow preventer program to install devices on the property owner’s sewer lateral (service line) to help prevent this from happening. More information can be found in the following link.
- Water Quality Specialist
- Chief Chemist
- 4 Chemist
Our Laboratory section works with the Operations and Distribution staff to ensure the delivery of a reliable and safe water supply. The bacteriological testing of new water mains ensures that outside contamination does not enter the water distribution system. Daily analysis of chlorine and fluoride ensure correct chemical doses for optimal effectiveness without using excess treatment chemicals, therefore saving money for our customers. An extensive monitoring program requires sampling and analysis of drinking water throughout the City. The Public Works staff chooses to go beyond the federally mandated frequencies for sampling and analysis. We believe this is another safeguard to protect our customers against potentially harmful contamination.
The Laboratory staff has repeatedly won the Indiana Water Pollution Control Association’s Laboratory Excellence Award. This recognizes the production of excellent, legally defensible data resulting from an outstanding Quality Assurance program that incorporates specialized training, detailed record-keeping, a safe working environment, and detail-oriented staff.
The Laboratory section analyzes over 4,000 samples annually for multiple parameters. The laboratory’s analysis includes drinking water, wastewater, industrial effluent, groundwater, surface water, swimming pool water, biosolids, and soil samples.
Industrial Pretreatment Program
Working with local industries to protect our water!
In an effort to protect our treatment works and the quality of our rivers and streams, the Pretreatment staff permits inspects and monitors over 40 industries. The Pretreatment Program administers regulations to make sure the wastewater generated by industries is treated properly. Many industries must pretreat their wastewater before sending it to the sewer. This helps to protect the wastewater treatment system, our employees, the facilities as well as help to ensure that clean, quality water is discharged. Because of our relationships with local industries and their commitment to protecting the environment, our waterways are cleaner today than in previous decades because business practices have improved.
Industrial Discharge Forms:
Other Resources:
Dental Mercury:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Dental Category that took effect on July 14, 2017. This rule applies to all dental offices that place, remove or work on mercury amalgam fillings and discharge to the City of Elkhart wastewater treatment plant. The regulation is codified at 40 CFR Part 441.
Dental Mercury Form:
Questions?
Please contact our pretreatment staff with any questions:
Sewer and Water Insurance Programs
The City’s Utility group maintains the sanitary sewer and water mains throughout the system. Services, the pipe connecting the public main to the building, are owned by the property owner that is being serviced. These pipes can break for various reasons – tree roots, age deterioration, settlement, freeze/thaw, etc. For the vast majority of residential properties, the City operates a sewer and water insurance program to help manage the repair work and financially assist with expensive repairs to the service line. More information on these programs can be found below.
Online Bill Pay Walk Through
How do I pay my Elkhart Public utilities bill?
Elkhart Public Utilities is pleased to offer customers two quick and easy ways to make Utility account bill payments by credit card (VISA, MasterCard and Discover), debit card, and e-Check. You can pay your bill anytime, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and all payments made after 6 pm will be posted the next business day.
Does Elkhart Public utilities offer electronic check?
Electronic check option is available online only. Elkhart Public Utilities is pleased to offer customers two quick and easy ways to make Utility account bill payments by credit card (VISA, MasterCard and Discover), debit card, and e-Check.
How do I pay my Elkhart County taxes online?
Elkhart County is excited to offer residents an easy and convenient method to view and pay their real estate, personal property, and mobile home tax bills online. This is a fee based service. The fee for a credit card payment is 2.95% with a min fee of $1.00 and the fee for an e-check is $.95. New! Pay By Text
Does city of Elkhart offer nexbillpay?
City of Elkhart has partnered with Nexbillpay to extend an additional payment option for customers interested in using their check, debit, or credit cards. Nexbillpay is a trusted third-party automated payment service that allows you to pay online. You will need your Account Number provided on your statement.
How do I apply for Elkhart Water billing?
Public Record Request. Industrial Pretreatment. New and Pending Rates. Bill Pay. Please use the forms below and email your applications to [email protected] along with a lease or settlement statement and your driver’s license.
What are the hours of operation for the utility billing office?
Create an account to view details, manage single & multi-accounts, multi-bill pay, and e-Billing. Office Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm. **Warning** If you are enrolled in automatic payments (ACH) with the Utility Billing Office please do not enroll in Auto Pay through the website without contacting our office.