Paying your utility bill is an essential part of being a resident in Maple Grove, MN. The city offers a few convenient ways to pay your water, sewer, recycling and streetlight fees. In this article, we’ll walk through the different payment options, when bills are due, how much utilities cost, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Ways to Pay Your Utility Bill
There are several ways residents of Maple Grove can pay their utility bills:
-
Online Payment – The easiest way to pay is through the city’s online payment system. You can pay by e-check from your bank account or with a debit/credit card. Payments post immediately.
-
Auto Pay – You can enroll in auto pay to have your bill paid directly from your bank account each quarter. This ensures your payment is made on time without having to remember.
-
By Mail – Utility bills can be paid by mailing a check or money order to the City of Maple Grove Utility Billing department. Be sure to allow 7-10 days for mail delivery to avoid late fees.
-
In Person – You can pay your utility bill in person at the Maple Grove Government Center by cash, check or credit/debit card.
-
Drop Box – A drop box is located at the entrance of the Government Center where you can leave a check or money order payment.
When Utility Bills Are Due
Utility bills in Maple Grove are sent out quarterly and are due approximately 30 days after the billing date Due dates are printed on each bill
Bills are generated on these dates
- January 1
- April 1
- July 1
- October 1
If your payment is not received by the due date, a 10% late fee will be added to your account balance. Failure to pay may result in water service being shut off.
Utility Rates and Fees
As of 2022, here are the utility rates charged to Maple Grove residents:
- Water: $3.77 per 1,000 gallons
- Sewer: $5.90 per 1,000 gallons
- Recycling: $65.40 per quarter
- Streetlights: $10.87 per quarter
In addition to usage charges, all properties are subject to a $9.00 per quarter infrastructure replacement surcharge.
A stormwater utility fee was also recently implemented based on a property’s impervious surface area. This helps fund maintenance of the city’s storm sewer system. Most single family homes pay around $55 per quarter.
Rates are evaluated annually and may increase incrementally over time. Check the city’s website each year for updated rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some common questions about paying utility bills in Maple Grove:
How can I check the balance on my account?
You can view your current balance, payment history, and water usage through the online customer portal. Or call the Utility Billing department to request your account balance.
I’m moving. How do I stop or transfer service?
Contact Utility Billing at least 5 days before your move date to stop service or have it transferred to the new resident. Stop service requests can be made online.
What if I’m unable to pay my bill on time?
If you’re having difficulty paying your bill, contact Utility Billing right away to set up a payment plan. This can help avoid service disruption or late fees.
How can I dispute a charge on my bill?
If you believe there is an error on your utility bill, contact Utility Billing to discuss the charges. Mistakes can be corrected if reported promptly.
How is my water usage calculated?
Your home’s water meter tracks all water used. Your bill is based on actual water consumption during the last billing cycle.
Continuous Water Flow NoticesWith the installation of the new water meters in 2021, the City now has the ability to send out notifications about a possible leak. This ultimately helps to notify a user of the continuous water usage and the additional cost associated with it, which also increases the amount the City is required to pay for sanitary sewer use. The first batch of letters are being sent out in late October 202 If you receive one of these letters, please
Water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer fees in Osseo pay operating, maintenance, and capital costs of these City owned services. These utilities are not operated for profit, and the fees only produce enough money to meet costs. IMPORTANT: If you recently purchased your home, please contact City Hall to make sure there are no delinquent utility bills for your property. Although the previous owner will receive a final utility bill, utility bills are considered an obligation of the property and the final responsibility for payment lies with the current owner. By checking with City Hall, you may be able to assure yourself that the previous owner has paid his bill. If you have utility questions, please contact Shelly Cisewski by email or by phone at 763-424-6752.
Semi-Annual Hydrant Flushing
Hydrant Flushing is performed in April and October as normal maintenance of the water system to clear water lines of silt, debris, or stagnant water.
You may experience low water pressure, rusty or discolored water. Avoid doing laundry and turn off all water faucets for at least 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, go to the lowest level of your home and run the COLD WATER for 10-15 minutes from a faucet or bathtub without an aerator. When the water runs clear, turn on the cold faucets in the rest of the house and run until water is clear. If the hot water remains discolored, you may need to drain the hot water tank, then run the hot water faucets until clear.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the semi-annual flushing. If the water is still discolored after trying these methods, please call Public Works Department at 763-425-5741.
Thank you for your cooperation.
2022 CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT (CCR) FOR DRINKING WATER The City of Osseo purchases its water from the City of Maple Grove. Each year, the water is tested to ensure safety and that all regulations are being met. Click on link 2022 Drinking Water Report to obtain a copy for the City of Osseo. Contact 763-425-5741 to request a paper copy or with questions. The City of Osseo receives its water from the City of Maple Grove, their water report can be found here.
Storm sewer utility rates are based on Residential Equivalency Factors (REF). This is part of your quarterly utility bill from the City of Osseo. One REF represents the amount of runoff from a typical single family residential property, and single family properties less than 0.5 acres in size are assigned one REF. Larger single family properties and more intensively developed property, such as commercial or industrial, generate more runoff. These properties are assigned REFs based on the volume of runoff they generate.
Keep our natural resources clean with proper lawn care
What does your yard have to do with water pollution? Believe it or not, your lawn care decisions can have a big impact on our local waterways, including Shingle Creek to the south, and the mighty Mississippi River to our west.
Many of us have had to mow our lawns more often during rainy periods in the summer. These heavy rains can also contribute to grass clippings ending up in storm water runoff. Also, grass clippings that are blown into the street eventually enter the street storm drain. Water in the storm drain is NOT treated like sewage and waste water. Instead, it flows directly into our waterways.
When lawn clippings, fertilizers, soil, leaves, or animal wastes are picked up by storm water runoff, they are carried directly to our local streams and lakes. All of these materials contain phosphorus. According to the U.S. EPA, phosphorus is one of the most troublesome pollutants in storm water runoff and is considered the primary cause of water quality problems in our lakes, ponds and streams.
Phosphorous is also found in fertilizer. You should apply only the amount of fertilizer your lawn needs. Not only will you save money by using less fertilizer, you will help protect the environment. A soil test will inform you of the amount of phosphorus in your soil and the appropriate application rate. Fertilizer applied to your streets or sidewalks will get into the nearest lake or stream. Phosphorous “fertilizes” algae just like it does grass, and when too much algae grows in our rivers, lakes and streams, fish and other animals cannot survive.
When you keep your grass clippings on the lawn and not in the street or gutter, you add free fertilizer to your lawn. Leaving your grass clippings on the lawn can reduce your lawn’s annual fertilizer needs, reduce your fertilizer costs and reduce water pollution.