Are you tired of worrying about your water bill payment deadline? Do you sometimes forget to mail that check until it’s almost too late? I’ve been there too! As a Medford resident for over 8 years, I’ve tried every possible way to pay my water bill, and I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned about the Medford Water Commission bill pay options.
Whether you prefer paying online, setting up automatic payments, or dropping off a check in person, this guide covers all the ways you can pay your Medford water bill with ease Let’s dive in and find the payment method that works best for you!
Understanding Your Medford Water Bill
Before we talk about payment options, let’s take a quick look at what you’re actually paying for when that bill arrives in your mailbox or inbox.
Your Medford Water bill covers the cost of bringing clean high-quality drinking water from the source all the way to your tap. The funds from your water service payment help Medford Water
- Construct and maintain the water system
- Clean, treat, and distribute water from Big Butte Springs and Rogue River
- Protect and preserve the watersheds
- Operate the treatment plant
- Distribute water to individual users and water distributors
Key Components of Your Bill
Your bill has two main charges
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Volume Charge: Based on how much water you use each month, billed in thousands of gallons
- For residential customers: Different rates per tier depending on elevation
- For commercial customers: Divided into Summer/Winter charges
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Base Charge: Depends on your meter size and covers essential services regardless of water usage
- Meter reading
- Billing
- Customer service
- Waterline maintenance
Some customers might also see charges for:
- Backflow Prevention Program
- Elevation charges (if you live in a higher elevation area)
Account Numbers – What You Need to Know
When paying your bill, you’ll need your account information. Medford Water customers have two identifying numbers in the format XXXXXXXX-YYYYYYY.
- The first set of 8 numbers before the dash is your customer number
- The second set of 7 numbers after the dash is your account number
You’ll need BOTH numbers to access your online account or make payments, so keep them handy!
6 Easy Ways to Pay Your Medford Water Bill
Now for the good part! Here are all the payment options available to Medford Water customers:
1. Online Payments
This is my personal favorite way to pay! It’s quick, convenint, and available 24/7.
To pay online:
- Login to your account to view and pay your bill
- You can also make a one-time payment without logging in
- Visit the Medford Water website and click “Make an Online Payment”
Pro tip: Check out their WaterSmart account registration tutorial if you need help setting up your account!
2. Automatic Payment Plan (AutoPay)
Never miss a payment again! I’ve been using this for the last 3 years and it’s been a lifesaver.
How to set up AutoPay:
- Sign up through your online account
- Manage your automatic payments anytime
- View the AutoPay tutorial on their website if you need help
3. By Phone
Need to make a quick payment? Give them a call!
- Call (541) 774-2430 to make a payment 24/7 using their automated system
- Payments made during business hours will be posted that same day
- Payments made outside business hours will be posted the next business day
4. In Person
Sometimes it’s nice to stop by and say hello (and pay your bill while you’re at it).
Visit the Medford Water office:
- 200 South Ivy Street – Room 177, Medford, OR 97501
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)
5. By Mail
Old school but reliable!
- Put your customer number AND account number on your check
- Include the payment stub in the return envelope provided
- Or address an envelope to:
Medford Water
200 South Ivy Street – Room 177
Medford, OR 97501
6. Payment Drop Boxes
Drop off your payment (checks only, no cash) at one of these convenient locations:
- Medford Water – City Hall (Lausmann Annex, 200 S. Ivy Street, parking lot entrance)
- Albertsons – 910 N. Phoenix Rd., Medford
- Albertsons – 113 N. Ross Ln., Medford
- Avista Utilities – 580 Business Park Dr., Medford
Keep in mind that processing may take 7-10 days if using these drop boxes, so plan accordingly!
Late Payment Information
We’ve all had those moments where we forgot to pay a bill on time. Here’s what happens if your Medford water payment is late:
- Payment is due within 2 weeks of the water bill date
- If payment isn’t received, you’ll receive multiple notices:
- First Bill: 2 weeks to pay
- 2nd bill: 2 weeks to pay
- Urgent notice: 1 week to pay
- Shut-off notice & Late Fee: Includes shut-off date and late fee
- Water shut-off: Water can be turned back on once all charges and fees are paid
Need Help Paying Your Water Bill?
I think it’s important to know that help is available if you’re having trouble paying your bill. Medford Water provides annual grants to several organizations that can help qualifying low-income households:
- ACCESS: (541) 779-6691
- St. Vincent de Paul: (541) 772-3828
- The Salvation Army: (541) 772-8149
If you’re struggling to pay your water bill, reach out to one of these agencies. They may be able to help you avoid having your water shut off for non-payment.
How Much Water Do Typical Medford Residents Use?
Ever wonder if your water usage is normal? Here’s what the average Medford household uses:
Winter usage:
- Typical household with average yard: 2,000-5,000 gallons per month
- Per person: 1,000-2,000 gallons per month
Summer usage:
- Typical household with average yard: 20,000-25,000 gallons per month
- Landscaping estimates:
- Shrubs: 3 gallons per square foot of shrub area
- Lawns: 5 gallons per square foot of lawn per month
If your usage seems much higher than these averages, it might be worth checking for leaks!
Tips for Managing Your Medford Water Bill
After paying my water bill for years, I’ve learned a few tricks to make the process easier:
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Sign up for paperless billing – It’s better for the environment and you’ll never lose your bill again!
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Use the WaterSmart portal – It has great tools to help you conserve water and lower your bill.
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Check your Water Usage Profile – This graph on your bill shows usage for the past 13 months. If you notice a big increase from the same month last year, you might have a leak!
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Set calendar reminders – I set a reminder 5 days before my bill is due (for those times when I’m not using AutoPay).
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Visit their Water Efficiency section – The Medford Water website has lots of conservation tips that can help lower your water usage.
Contacting Medford Water Customer Service
Still have questions? The Medford Water customer service team is super helpful!
Contact information:
- Phone: 541-774-2430
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 200 S. Ivy St. – Room 177, Medford, Oregon 97501
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
For water emergencies:
- During business hours: (541) 774-2430
- After hours: (541) 779-7611
You can also check the status of outages in your area by visiting the Alerts & Outages section on their website.
Final Thoughts
Managing your Medford Water bill doesn’t have to be complicated. With so many convenient payment options, you can choose the method that fits your lifestyle best.
I personally love using the AutoPay feature – it’s saved me from late fees more times than I can count! But whether you prefer paying online, by phone, or dropping off a check, Medford Water Commission has made it easy to stay on top of your water bill.
Remember, if you ever need assistance with your bill, don’t hesitate to reach out to the organizations mentioned above or contact Medford Water customer service directly.
Do you have any tips for managing your water bill? What payment method works best for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Frequently Asked Questions About Medford Water Bill Pay
Q: How do I create an online account to pay my water bill?
A: Visit the Medford Water website and follow their WaterSmart account registration tutorial. You’ll need your customer number and account number from your bill.
Q: What payment methods are accepted for online payments?
A: Medford Water accepts major credit cards and electronic checks for online payments.
Q: Is there a fee for using the online payment system?
A: Medford Water doesn’t mention any fees for using their online payment system on their website.
Q: What should I do if I’m having trouble paying my bill?
A: Contact ACCESS (541-779-6691), St. Vincent de Paul (541-772-3828), or The Salvation Army (541-772-8149) for possible assistance. You can also call Medford Water Customer Service at 541-774-2430 to discuss payment options.
Q: How can I check if there’s a water outage in my area?
A: Visit the Alerts & Outages section on the Medford Water website to check the status of outages in your area.
Q: How do I report a water emergency?
A: Call (541) 774-2430 during business hours or (541) 779-7611 after hours to report a water emergency.
Water Meter Replacement Project
The City of Medford has partnered with Mass Installation to carry out the replacement of water meters across our city. Mass Installation will be contacting residents by phone as well as knocking on doors around the city. Employees of Mass Installation will properly identify themselves to residents and present official City of Medford identification. For your safety and security, we kindly request that you refrain from allowing individuals into your home if they do not present a City of Medford Identification. It is important that any representative of the city provides official city identification when working on the behalf of the City of Medford.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work to update our communitys infrastructure.
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