Demystifying Truckee Meadows Water Authority Bill Pay

Paying your water bill should be simple and straightforward. However, if you’re a customer of Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA), you may find the billing and payment process confusing. TMWA serves over 385,000 residents in Reno, Sparks and Washoe County, Nevada, so they have to handle a lot of payments. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about understanding and paying your TMWA bill.

Overview of Truckee Meadows Water Authority

First, a quick background on TMWA. They are the largest water purveyor in northern Nevada, providing water to over 385,000 residents. TMWA sprang from the merger of Washoe County’s water utility and the cities of Reno and Sparks in 2000.

As a not-for-profit community-owned water utility, they are overseen by elected officials and citizen appointees. Their mission is to provide reliable high-quality water to their customers while promoting responsible stewardship of the resource.

Reading and Understanding Your TMWA Bill

Now, let’s get into the specifics of your TMWA bill. Your bill comes on a monthly basis and includes charges for water used, services provided, and any applicable fees Here are the key sections to look for

Account Information

This shows your account number, meter number, billing date, payment due date, and customer service contact information. Check that all your personal details – name, address, phone number etc – are correct.

Meter Readings

Your bill shows meter readings from the start and end of the billing period, plus total water usage in hundreds of cubic feet (CCF). This is how TMWA calculates how much water you used.

Water Usage History

A graph shows your monthly usage for the past 13 months so you can identify trends and spikes. This can help detect leaks and monitor conservation efforts.

Water Service Charges

This section lists your water usage charges based on the tiered rate structure. TMWA has an inclining block rate structure, meaning unit rates increase as water usage goes up.

Services and Fees

These are charges for services like turn-ons/turn-offs, meter installations, late fees, etc. Review these for accuracy.

Messages

Important updates like rate changes, events, and conservation programs are printed here. Don’t overlook these notices.

Payment Stub

Detach and return this portion with your payment. Note the total amount due and payment due date.

Carefully reviewing all sections of your TMWA bill can prevent surprises and errors. Don’t hesitate to contact TMWA customer service with any questions.

Payment Options for TMWA Bills

TMWA offers many flexible options to pay your water bill conveniently:

AutoPay

Sign up to have payments automatically deducted from your bank account each month. You still receive a bill for your records but no action is required.

Online

Pay via TMWA’s website using your checking/savings account or credit/debit card. A 2.45% service fee applies to credit/debit card payments.

By Phone

Call the automated payment line anytime to pay via credit/debit card or checking account.

By Mail

Send a check or money order using the payment stub and envelope from your bill. Allow 5-7 days for mail delivery.

In Person

Visit TMWA’s office during business hours to pay by cash, check or credit/debit card. An after-hours drop box is also available.

CheckFreePay Locations

Pay in person at retail outlets like Smith’s Food & Drug Stores with the CheckFreePay network. Find locations on TMWA’s website.

Auto Draft Payments

Available for qualifying customers. Payments are deducted automatically on the due date from your checking or savings account.

Account Management

Set up an online account to view bills, make one-time payments, and manage AutoPay. Access bills 24/7.

Paperless Billing

Go green by opting out of mailed paper bills. Get bills via email instead. Remember to check your inbox on bill generation day each month.

Choose the most convenient payment method for you. TMWA offers online, phone, mail, automatic, and in-person options to provide maximum flexibility.

Avoid Late Fees and Penalties

To prevent late fees, make sure your payment arrives by the due date printed on your TMWA bill. A late charge is applied to past due accounts and accrues monthly until paid in full.

If an account falls delinquent for non-payment, water service may be disconnected. Reconnection requires full payment of the past due balance plus a service restoration fee.

Setting up automatic payments is a foolproof way to avoid late fees. Online account management also allows you to monitor your balance in real time.

Payment Assistance Options

If you’re struggling to keep up with water payments, TMWA offers some assistance programs:

• Bill Payment Arrangements: Set up a payment plan for your past due balance. Multiple months can be included.

• LIHEA Program: Income-qualified customers can get up to $134 in bill credits annually through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Apply through social services.

• Project REACH: This Washoe County program provides one-time emergency bill assistance to low income households or those facing financial hardships.

Don’t hesitate to contact TMWA customer service to discuss bill payment difficulties. Making arrangements early can prevent service disruptions.

Contacting TMWA with Questions

TMWA’s customer service team is available to answer billing and payment questions:

• By phone: Call 775-834-8080 Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm

• Email: [email protected]

• Online: Live chat and account access at www.tmwa.com

• In person: Visit the TMWA office at 1355 Capital Blvd, Reno NV

Be prepared with your account number, full name on the account, and address. TMWA can help resolve any bill discrepancies, set up payment plans for past due balances, change your account details, and more.

Understanding the details behind your monthly TMWA water bill ensures accurate charges. Choosing a convenient payment option prevents late fees. And contacting customer service resolves any questions quickly. Follow this advice for a streamlined billing experience with Truckee Meadows Water Authority.