A Guide to Paying Your Frederick County Water Bill

Living in Frederick County, Maryland means being a customer of the county’s Division of Water and Sewer Utilities (DWSU) The county provides water and sewer service to around 75,000 households and businesses. Understanding your bill and the different payment options available ensures on-time payment and uninterrupted service.

In this guide we’ll break down everything you need to know as a Frederick County water and sewer customer including

• What’s included on your bill
• Reading and understanding your charges
• Ways to pay your bill
• Payment assistance programs
• Avoiding late fees and disconnection
• Moving or closing your account

What’s Included on a Frederick County Water/Sewer Bill

Frederick County water bills are issued monthly and include charges for both water and sewer service Here are the key components included on your statement

• Account number – Unique number to identify your property/service address

• Service address – Location receiving water/sewer service

• Billing date – Date bill was issued

• Due date – Payment is due by this date to avoid penalties

• Payment stub – Detach and return bottom portion with payment

• Previous balance – Any past due amount carried over

• Payments/credits – Recent payments or account credits

• Water usage – Water consumption in gallons along with meter read dates

• Sewer usage – Based on your water usage or a winter quarter average

• Water service fee – Monthly base charge for water infrastructure

• Water volume charge – Rate per gallon for amount of water used

• Sewer service fee – Monthly base for sewer infrastructure

• Sewer usage fee – Rate per gallon based on sewer usage

• Bay restoration fee – State-mandated charge to fund Chesapeake Bay programs

• Account information – Account name, service address, phone numbers

• Bill total – Total amount due for current monthly charges

Carefully reviewing each item on your bill ensures you understand what you’re being charged for.

How to Read and Understand Your Water/Sewer Bill

When you receive your Frederick County water bill, take a few minutes to read through and check that the amounts listed make sense based on your household usage.

• Verify the meter readings show an accurate increase in consumption from the previous month. Irregular spikes may indicate a leak.

• Check that the number of days between readings matches the typical 30-32 day billing cycle.

• Compare current usage to the same month last year. Warmer weather and increased outdoor watering will naturally increase summer usage.

• If sewer usage seems high compared to water, understand the county bases it on your water consumption. Any water that goes down the drain gets treated by the sewer system.

• Make note if your usage dramatically increased. Changes in occupants, guests, new appliances, or leaks can drive up water/sewer volume charges.

• Understand that base service fees are fixed monthly costs regardless of how much water you use.

Don’t hesitate to contact the county utility department if you have questions about specific charges or perceived discrepancies on your bill. They can explain how everything is calculated.

Payment Options for Frederick County Utility Bills

Frederick County offers many ways to pay your water and sewer bill conveniently. Choose the options that best suit your needs:

• Online – Pay via credit/debit card or electronic check through the county customer portal. No fee to use this service.

• Phone – Call the payment line at 301-600-2354 and pay with a card or electronic check.

• Mail – Send a check or money order with your payment stub to the utility lockbox address printed on your bill.

• Drop box – Place your payment (no cash) in the secure drop box at 4520 Metropolitan Court.

• In person – Visit the utility office at 4520 Metropolitan Court to pay with cash, check, or card.

• Automatic debit – Enroll to have payments automatically deducted from your bank account each month.

• Text pay – Text payments from your mobile phone by registering your account via the county customer portal.

• Third-party apps – Use bill pay services like Doxo or your bank’s app to schedule payments.

Choose a payment method that’s reliable and convenient for you to avoid missed payments. You can pay online up until 11:59pm on the due date for on-time payment.

Assistance Programs for Frederick County Utility Customers

If paying your water and sewer bill poses a financial hardship, customer assistance programs are available:

• Budget Billing – Pay a fixed amount each month to even out seasonal spikes in usage.

• Payment Arrangements – Set up a payment plan for overdue balances.

• LIHEAP – Provides federal energy assistance grants that can be used to pay utility bills.

• Religious Coalition – Partners with local churches to offer emergency utility bill grants.

• DSS – Limited utility assistance through Frederick County Department of Social Services.

Additional nonprofit and charitable programs may also have utility bill funding for those in need. Reach out to the county utility billing office to learn about eligibility and how to apply.

Avoid Late Fees and Service Disconnection

To avoid penalties and potential service interruption, always pay your Frederick County water/sewer bill by the due date printed on your statement.

Consequences for missed payments include:

• Late fee – 1.5% monthly charge added to past due balances.

• Disconnection notice – Receive a shut off notice if your balance is 45+ days overdue.

• Shut off – Water service is physically disconnected if the account remains unpaid after receiving a disconnection notice.

• Shut off fee – $30.00 fee to resume service after it’s been disconnected for nonpayment.

• Lien – Unpaid balances can result in a lien being placed against your property.

Don’t let it get to this point! Payment plans can help catch up overdue balances while assistance programs may buy you more time during financial difficulties.

Closing or Transferring a Frederick County Water Account

Notify the county utility department right away if you are moving or need to close your water/sewer account. This ensures you aren’t stuck paying bills on a property you no longer occupy.

To terminate or transfer service, contact the county by phone, mail, or through the online customer portal:

• Provide move out and forwarding address details

• Schedule a final meter reading appointment if transferring service locally

• Receive a final bill that covers usage through your termination date

• Pay final balance due within 15 days to avoid collections action

• Provide name of new owner/occupant so they can establish service

Following proper close out procedures is important to transition billing responsibility and avoid issues down the road.

Staying current on Frederick County utility bills ensures uninterrupted access to essential water and sewer services. Understanding your charges, payment options, and account management makes being a county water customer simple. Reach out to utility billing staff for personalized assistance managing your account.