How to Pay Your Water Bill in Monroe City

Paying your water bill is an essential part of being a resident or business owner in Monroe City. The city provides water services to thousands of customers, and relies on timely payments to keep operations running smoothly In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about paying your Monroe City water bill, including payment options, assistance programs, and what to do if you have billing questions

Overview of Monroe City Water Billing

The City of Monroe provides water and sewer services to residents and businesses located within the city limits The Utility Billing department handles water billing and payments Bills are issued monthly and are based on metered water usage.

There are around 11,000 residential water accounts in Monroe. The average monthly residential water bill is about $30. Commercial accounts vary greatly based on business type and water consumption.

Water bills are issued around the 25th of each month, and payments are due by the 15th of the following month. So for example, your February water usage statement would be sent in late January, and payment would be due by February 15th.

Payment Options for Your Monroe City Water Bill

Monroe offers several convenient ways to pay your water bill each month.

Pay Online

The easiest way for most customers to pay their water bill is online through the city’s online payment portal. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check.

To pay online, you just need your 7-digit account number from your latest bill. You can also set up automatic monthly payments through the online system.

Pay by Phone

Call the Utility Billing department at 318-329-2220 to pay your water bill over the phone using a credit card or electronic check. You will need to provide your account number.

Pay by Mail

Mail a check or money order payable to “City of Monroe” to:

City of Monroe
Utility Billing
316 Breard St
Monroe, LA 71201

Be sure to include your remittance stub or write your account number on the payment so it’s properly credited. Allow 5-7 days for mailed payments.

Pay in Person

You can pay your water bill in person at the Utility Billing office at 316 Breard St in downtown Monroe. They accept cash, checks, money orders and credit/debit cards.

Pay at Other Locations

Some authorized payment locations in Monroe also accept payments for city water bills, including:

• Walmart (checks, cash, credit/debit cards)
• Local banks and credit unions (with your remittance stub)

Bank Auto-Pay

You can enroll in automatic monthly payments through your bank. Just fill out the bank draft authorization form and provide a voided check. Payments will be automatically debited from your account each month.

Drop Box

A drop box located outside Monroe City Hall allows you to drop off check or money order payments after business hours.

Billing Schedule and Late Fees

Water bills are issued around the 25th of each month and payments are due by the 15th of the following month.

If your payment is late, a 10% penalty fee will be added to your account balance after the due date. Service may be disconnected if your account becomes 30 days past due.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are having trouble paying your water bill, Monroe offers assistance programs for qualifying customers:

• Lifeline Rate: Offers a reduced water rate for senior citizens and disabled customers meeting income requirements. Must provide proof of fixed income.

• Project Care: Provides a $30 credit on water bills for low income seniors and disabled customers. Apply through the Humanitarian Enterprises office.

• Round Up Program: Utility customers can opt to have their bill rounded up to the nearest dollar, with the overage going to assist others in need.

• Leak Adjustment: A one-time bill adjustment is available for customers who experience high usage due to an underground water leak.

Contact the Utility Billing office to learn more about these assistance programs.

What to Do if You Have Billing Questions

If you have any questions about your water bill amount, think you may have been overcharged, or find any discrepancies or suspicious activity on your statement, contact the Utility Billing department right away to dispute the charges.

Some common billing issues that customers experience include:

• Sudden spike in water usage due to leak
• Meter read errors
• Incorrect meter read or address mix-ups
• Multiple houses on one meter
• Faulty meter under-reporting usage
• Being billed for water during a vacancy

The Utility Billing staff can help investigate discrepancies, check meter reads, arrange for meter tests, and make any needed billing adjustments. Be sure to contact them as soon as an issue is noticed, before your payment is due.

You can call 318-329-2220 or visit the Utility Billing office in person to discuss billing concerns. Having a copy of your questioned water bill and notes about the potential error are helpful when disputing charges.

Avoid Service Shut-Off for Non-Payment

If you fall behind on water bill payments, your service may be disconnected. This can happen when an account is 30 days past due.

To avoid shut-offs, stay in close contact with the Utility Billing office if you anticipate having trouble making a payment. There may be payment plans or assistance available.

If your service has already been disconnected due to non-payment, you will need to pay the past due amount in full along with a $50 reconnection fee to resume service.

Closing or Transferring Your Water Account

If you are moving out of Monroe or transferring service into someone else’s name, be sure to notify the Utility Billing department. This prevents continued billing in your name and ensures the final bill gets sent to the correct address.

To close or transfer an account, call 318-329-2220 with the following:

• Account number
• Move out or transfer date
• Forwarding address
• Name of new account holder (for transfers)

Be sure accounts are transferred when selling rental properties as well. It’s also recommended to request a final meter read.

Paying your water bill on time is a responsibility all Monroe residents share. With multiple payment options and billing assistance programs available, keeping your account in good standing is convenient. Reach out to the friendly Utility Billing staff with any questions.