Paying your sewage bill is an essential part of being a responsible homeowner or renter. However, the process can seem confusing or intimidating. This comprehensive guide aims to explain everything you need to know about paying sewage bills, from understanding what they are to setting up convenient payment methods.
What is a Sewage Bill?
A sewage bill also called a wastewater bill is a charge for the service of collecting, treating, and disposing of wastewater from homes and businesses. This wastewater contains sewage, sink and shower water, as well as other waste liquids.
Most sewage bills are billed on a monthly or quarterly basis, They may come directly from your local wastewater utility company or may be included in your overall water bill Rates and payment procedures can vary between communities,
Why Paying Sewage Bills Matters
While paying sewage bills may feel like just another tedious utility payment, it is extremely important for public health and environmental reasons. Sewage treatment facilities remove solids and contaminants, then discharge cleaned water into rivers, lakes or oceans. Without proper sewage treatment, these bodies of water would become dangerously polluted.
Paying your fair share ensures these vital facilities can operate. Failure to pay sewage bills can result in late fees, disconnection of service, and even legal action. So be sure to pay on time, both as a responsible community member and to avoid consequences.
How Sewage Rates Are Calculated
Sewage rates are generally calculated based on the amount of wastewater discharged from a home or business. For residential customers, this discharge amount is usually estimated based on your water usage.
Common pricing models include:
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Flat rate: A fixed fee regardless of usage.
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Metered rate: Fee based on your actual water meter readings.
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Tiered rate: Higher rates for greater water usage. Encourages conservation.
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Base rate + usage rate: A standard monthly fee plus a charge per gallons used.
Many utilities are moving towards metered and tiered rates as a more fair and accurate model. However, billing methods can vary greatly between communities. Check with your local utility to understand their specific rates.
Setting Up Payment Accounts
Most sewage utilities offer convenient ways to set up accounts and pay your bill automatically without the hassle of monthly payments. Common options include:
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Auto-debit from your bank account
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Recurring credit card payments
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Pay by phone or online through your utility website
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Electronic billing and paperless statements
When setting up payments, be sure to review closely when payments will be drafted and confirm your utility’s policies on late payments or declined payments. You may be able to set payment reminders as well.
Assistance If Unable To Pay
Facing an unexpected financial hardship? Most utilities offer options if you are temporarily unable to pay your sewage bill, such as:
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Payment plans/arrangements spreading payments over time.
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One-time bill assistance for those meeting low-income requirements.
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Temporary discount rates for seniors or low-income residents.
Be sure to contact your utility right away if unable to pay. Ignoring bills and late notices will only worsen the situation. Open communication and utilizing available assistance gives the best chance of avoiding service interruption.
tenants and Landlords
For tenants renting a home or apartment, responsibility for sewage bills varies. In some cases, the landlord may pay directly with costs included in rent. More often, tenants are required to set up accounts and pay bills directly to the utility. Be sure to clarify who is responsible for payment as part of your rental agreement.
Landlords cannot shut off a tenant’s wastewater service due to nonpayment. However, tenants risk eviction for failure to pay utility bills as required in a lease agreement.
Sewage Bill FAQs
Q: I’m on vacation. Do I still need to pay my sewage bill?
A: Yes, you need to pay your sewage bill even while away on vacation. These charges are for ongoing service and maintenance, not just your personal usage.
Q: I have a septic tank. Do I get a sewage bill?
A: No. Sewage bills are for public wastewater treatment services. If your home has a private on-site septic system, you do not receive a utility sewage bill. You are responsible for routine septic pumping and maintenance costs.
Q: Why are my sewage bills higher in winter?
A: In cold weather, utilities see less irrigation and watering usage. However, base fees and infrastructure costs remain steady year-round for the utility provider. The combination of lower water usage but steady base fees can result in temporarily higher sewage rates in winter.
Paying Your Sewage Bill with Ease
While certainly not the most glamorous household expense, paying sewage bills promptly is a duty for all responsible property owners and tenants. Following this guide, you now understand exactly what these charges are for, how rates are set, and ways to conveniently set up payments.
Equipped with this knowledge, you can handle sewage bills with confidence and avoid late fees or service disruptions. Paying bills ensures critical wastewater treatment that protects community health and the environment. We all benefit when we each take responsibility for paying our fair share.
Calculating Your Sewer Bill
If you receive your water from a well your sewer fees are based on a flat rate monthly fee. Click here if you would like to view the sewer rate information.
If you receive your water from a water service provider, such as Indiana American Water Company or Seelyville Waterworks, your sewer fees are based on your water usage. Each month the water meter usage data is gathered by your water service provider and sent to TPi Billing Solutions. TPi then applies the appropriate sewer fees based on water usage data. Because the water usage bill and sewer bill are not generated at the same time you will notice that the water usage reflected on the current month’s sewer bill is the same as the usage that was reflected on last month’s water bill. Look for the Billing From Date and Billing To Date on your sewer bill to verify which month’s water usage data is being reflected.
The sewer rates per unit are not the same as the water service provider’s rates per unit, which means that your sewer bill amount likely will not match the water bill for the same service dates. Click here if you would like to view the sewage rate for metered water customers.
City of Terre Haute Sewage Billing
In 2012 Indiana American Water Company made the business decision to discontinue the inclusion of charges for sewer fees on water usage bills for cities and towns statewide. TPi Billing Solutions, a contractor selected through a request for proposals process, began billing sewer fees to customers served by the Terre Haute Sanitary District beginning in January of 2013.