Living in the vibrant border town of San Benito Texas comes with many perks – friendly neighbors rich cultural traditions, and sunny weather year-round. But as a resident, you also have responsibilities like paying your monthly water bill to the city utilities department. Read on for a comprehensive guide to paying your San Benito water bill quickly and easily.
Understanding Your San Benito Water Bill
Your water bill from the City of San Benito arrives monthly and includes charges for water, sewer, garbage collection, and other municipal services. Review the different sections to understand what you’re paying for:
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Service Charge: A flat monthly fee that covers infrastructure and operating costs. This is the same each month.
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Water Usage Fee: Charge per 1,000 gallons of water used based on meter readings. Check for leaks if this seems abnormally high!
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Sewer Fee: Based on your water usage since most water ends up as wastewater. Charged at a fixed rate per 1,000 gallons.
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Garbage & Recycling Fee: Covers garbage pickup and recycling services. A flat monthly charge.
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Taxes State taxes and other government fees are added to your total charges,
If anything looks incorrect, contact the utilities department right away to dispute the bill and get clarification.
When Are Water Bills Due?
San Benito water bills are sent out at the beginning of each month and payment is due by the 15th. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, you have until the next business day to pay.
Pay attention to the due date on your specific bill, since it may vary slightly from month to month. Late payments incur a penalty – 10% of the outstanding balance.
To avoid late fees, pay your bill as early in the month as possible. Mark the due date on your calendar so you remember.
Ways to Pay Your San Benito Water Bill
The City of San Benito offers many convenient payment options to suit different needs and preferences:
Pay Online
The easiest way for most people to pay their water bill is online through the city’s online payment portal. Simply enter your account number and exact balance due. Accepted payment methods include credit card, debit card, or e-check.
Pay by Phone
Call the toll-free payment line at 1-800-444-1187 to pay your water bill over the phone. Have your account number and credit/debit card ready. Phone payments can be made 24/7.
Pay by Mail
Mail a check or money order along with your payment stub to:
City of San Benito
P.O. Box 2805
San Benito, TX 78586
Allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to post to your account.
Pay in Person
Take your payment to City Hall at 401 N Sam Houston Blvd during business hours, 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. The front desk can accept credit/debit, cash, or check.
Recurring Auto-Pay
For hassle-free payments, enroll in auto-pay through the city’s online bill pay system. Your bill gets paid automatically each month on its due date using your default payment method.
Budget Billing
To spread costs evenly throughout the year, sign up for the Budget Billing program. This averages your past usage into equal monthly payments so your bill stays consistent. Call the utilities department to enroll.
Financial Assistance Programs
If you are struggling to cover water expenses, San Benito offers assistance programs for qualifying low-income households:
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Discounted Rates: Reduced water rates for seniors and disabled residents meeting income requirements.
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Payment Arrangements: Make a payment plan for large balances by contacting the utilities department.
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Bill Round Up Program: Round your bill up to donate to customers in need.
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LIHEAP: Federal assistance paying utility bills, apply through Community Action Corporation of South Texas.
Reaching out promptly is key if you need help paying your San Benito water bill. The city provides these programs to ensure all residents have access to essential utilities.
Avoid Late Fees with Proper Payment
Don’t let a forgotten bill lead to pricey penalties and service disruptions. Stay on top of your San Benito water payments using convenient online or auto-pay options. Seek assistance if money is tight. With sound billing practices, you can keep the water flowing while meeting your obligations as a member of the San Benito community. Just follow this guide for a smooth payment process each month.
Send payment by mail:
Mail your check or money order to the address below. Please do not send cash. Make your payment payable to “City of San Benito” and please include your utility account number on your check if you are not attaching your bill stub. Payments submitted by mail are posted on the business day they are received.
*Temporary personal or business checks are not accepted*
Mail your payment to the address below: Attn: Utility Billing 485 N. Sam Houston Blvd San Benito, TX 78586
Enroll in Automatic Bank Draft:
The most convenient form of payment we offer at no charge to the customer is the automatic bank draft option. We will automatically draft your bank account on the due date of your utility bill and credit your utility account accordingly. This payment option offers the benefit of paying your utility bill on time to prevent late fees and additional penalties as a result of late payments.
To enroll, please submit the completed Automatic Bank Draft Form (PDF) and attach a voided check.
Pay by Telephone:
For Residential accounts, please call 877-507-4648 (convenience fees apply)
For Commercial/Business accounts, please call 855-427-9222 (convenience fees apply) *Payments processed after 5:00pm will be credited to your account on the following business day*
Pay at alternate Payment Centers:
**Please be advised that payments accepted at these locations take at minimum two business days to post to your utility account.
Pay at H-E-B
Pay at Walmart (PDF)
Drop off your payment in the form of check or money order (no cash please) in the lock box located at City Hall. Make your payment payable to “City of San Benito”. Please include your utility account number on your check if you are not attaching your bill stub. No postdated checks are accepted.
Payments dropped off after 5:00 pm are posted to your account on the following business day. A payment dropped off after 5:00 pm on the due date will incur late fees.
*Temporary personal or business checks are not accepted*
San Benito Resident Concerned with Overcharged Water Bill
How do I pay my utility bill in San Benito?
Make your payment payable to “City of San Benito”. Please include your utility account number on your check if you are not attaching your bill stub. No postdated checks are accepted. Payments dropped off after 5:00 pm are posted to your account on the following business day. A payment dropped off after 5:00 pm on the due date will incur late fees.
How do I get water & sanitation services in San Benito?
Before relying on any information on the map, check with the City of San Benito. New customers requesting water, waste-water, and/or sanitation services with the City of San Benito, must apply in person at the Business Office in City Hall.
Where is San Benito water company located?
We are located inside City Hall at 485 N Sam Houston in San Benito, TX 78586. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For a listing of our current water and waste-water rates, please refer to the Utilities Ordinance 2409F (PDF) .
What is the San Benito business office?
Thank you for your patience. The Business Office is responsible for billing and collection of payments for water, wastewater, and solid waste services provided by the City of San Benito. We are located inside City Hall at 485 N Sam Houston in San Benito, TX 78586. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.