Ever found yourself scrambling to pay your water bill at the last minute? I’ve been there too! After living in Laurel for over 6 years, I’ve finally mastered the art of paying my utilities without the stress. Whether you’re in Laurel, Mississippi or Laurel, Montana, this guide will help you navigate the sometimes confusing world of water bill payments.
Understanding Your Laurel Water Bill Options
Let’s face it – nobody enjoys paying bills, but we all gotta do it! The good news is that both Laurel, MS and Laurel, MT offer several convenient ways to pay your water bill. As someone who’s tried literally all of these methods (sometimes out of desperation when I forgot until the due date!), I can share the pros and cons of each.
For Laurel, Mississippi Residents
If you live in Laurel, MS, you’ve probably noticed the city recently changed their online payment system The city’s water department now uses a new website for all utility payments.
Online Payment Options:
- Quick Pay: Perfect for those one-time payments when you don’t want to create an account
- Sign In/Register: Create an account to manage multiple bills, set up autopay, or view your payment history
The new website is: www.municipalonlinepayments.com/laurelms (not the old www.laurelms.org site!)
You can also contact the Laurel, MS water department directly:
- Phone: 601-428-6425
- Email: [email protected]
For Laurel, Montana Residents
If you’re in Laurel MT, your water billing is handled through the City Clerk/Treasurer’s office located at
Contact Information
- Address: 115 West 1st Street, Laurel, MT 59044
- Phone: (406) 628-4796
- Fax: (406) 628-2241
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Step-by-Step Guide to Paying Your Water Bill Online
I remember the first time I tried paying my water bill online – I was honestly kinda confused! But trust me, once you do it once, it’s super easy. Here’s how to do it:
For Laurel, MS Residents:
- Go to
https://laurelms.municipalonlinepayments.com/laurelms/utilities - Choose either “Quick Pay” or “Sign in or sign up”
- For quick pay, you’ll need your account number from your bill
- For signing in, you’ll create a username and password
- Enter your payment information
- Confirm and submit payment
- Save or print your receipt (I always save mine as a PDF just in case!)
One thing I always appreciate is that the website tells you right away if there’s a convenience fee. Most of the time it’s a small fee, but at least you know upfront.
For Laurel, MT Residents:
While the City of Laurel, MT doesn’t provide as much detail about their online payment system on their webpage, you can navigate to their payment portal through the “Pay My Bill” section on their website: https://cityoflaurelmontana.com/clerk-treasurer/page/pay-my-bill.
Alternative Ways to Pay Your Laurel Water Bill
Not everyone is comfortable paying bills online, and sometimes websites go down or you might not have internet access. Here are some other ways to pay your bill:
By Phone
Both cities allow you to pay by phone:
- Laurel, MS: Call 601-428-6425 during business hours
- Laurel, MT: Call (406) 628-4796 Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm
In Person
Sometimes I actually prefer paying in person – it gives me a chance to ask questions if I need to.
For Laurel, MS:
- Visit the Water Department office during business hours
- Bring your bill and payment method
For Laurel, MT:
- Visit City Hall at 115 West 1st Street during business hours (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm)
- Bring your account information and payment
By Mail
The old-school way still works great!
For Laurel, MS:
- Mail your payment to the address listed on your bill
- Make sure to include your account number
For Laurel, MT:
- Mail payment to: PO Box 10, Laurel, MT 59044
- Include your account number on your check
Tips for Managing Your Water Bill
Over the years, I’ve developed some strategies to make paying my water bill less of a headache:
- Set calendar reminders – I set mine 5 days before the due date
- Use auto-pay if available – this has saved me from late fees so many times!
- Keep your account number somewhere accessible – I store mine in my password manager
- Check for leaks regularly – a dripping faucet can seriously inflate your bill
- Consider budget billing if your water usage fluctuates seasonally
Common Questions About Laurel Water Bills
What happens if my payment is late?
Both cities typically charge late fees for overdue payments. In some cases, very late payments could result in service disconnection. If you’re going to be late, it’s always best to call ahead and explain your situation – sometimes they can work with you on a payment plan.
How can I check my water usage?
In Laurel, MS, you can monitor your usage through your online account. For Laurel, MT residents, you may need to contact the utility billing department directly.
Can I dispute a water bill?
Yes! If you believe there’s an error on your bill, don’t hesitate to contact the water department. I once had a bill that was triple my usual amount, and it turned out there was a reading error. They fixed it with no problem once I called.
What if I’m moving?
If your moving out of Laurel, be sure to contact the water department at least a week before your move to arrange for final readings and billing. You’ll need to provide your new address for the final bill.
My Experience with Laurel Water Billing
When I first moved to Laurel, I was honestly confused about the billing cycles and payment options. I accidentally paid late twice (oops!) before I finally got the hang of it.
Now I have auto-pay set up, but I still check my bill each month to make sure there aren’t any unexpected increases. One month last summer, my bill was almost double the usual amount. Turns out my sprinkler system had been running way longer than scheduled due to a programming error. Without checking my bill, I might have continued overpaying for months!
Water Conservation Tips to Lower Your Bill
Want to save some money on your water bill? Here are some tips that have worked for me:
- Fix leaky faucets promptly – even slow drips add up!
- Install low-flow showerheads – I barely noticed the difference but saved about 15% on water
- Only run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines
- Water your lawn in the early morning to reduce evaporation
- Consider drought-resistant landscaping for part of your yard
Final Thoughts
Paying your Laurel water bill doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you prefer the convenience of online payments, the reliability of auto-pay, or the personal touch of paying in person, both Laurel, MS and Laurel, MT offer multiple options to suit your preferences.
The most important thing is to find a system that works for you and stick with it. Set those reminders, know your account number, and keep track of due dates – your wallet (and stress levels) will thank you!
Have you found any other helpful tips for managing utility bills? I’d love to hear them! Drop a comment below or shoot me an email with your suggestions.
Until next time, here’s to hassle-free bill paying and uninterrupted water service!
~ Jamie from The Everyday Homeowner Blog
Useful Links
- Laurel, MS Municipal Online Payments: https://laurelms.municipalonlinepayments.com/laurelms/utilities
- Laurel, MS Water Department: https://www.laurelms.com/departments/water-department/
- Laurel, MT Bill Payment: https://cityoflaurelmontana.com/clerk-treasurer/page/pay-my-bill
The City of Laurel is now accepting automatic payments for water bills. Download, print and fill out the following form before returning to City Hall.
- All new accounts require $ 170.00 deposit.
- Dog tags are available at the City of Laurel water office. Fees for dog tags are as follows:
- $ 20.00 per year for each spayed/neutered dog – January 1 to March 31
- $ 30.00 per year for each unaltered dog – January 1 to March 31
- Fees increase $10.00 after March 31st each year. Tags are only good for the year purchased.
