Ever got that water bill in the mail and thought, “Ugh, now I gotta figure out how to pay this thing”? I’ve been there too! As a resident of Dearborn Heights, I wanted to create this super helpful guide on all the different ways you can pay your water bill. Whether you’re tech-savvy or prefer good old-fashioned payment methods, the city offers plenty of options to fit your lifestyle.
Online Payment Options for Dearborn Heights Water Bills
The easiest way to pay your Dearborn Heights water bill is probably online through the city’s BS&A payment portal. Here’s what you need to know:
Using BS&A Online
The City of Dearborn Heights partners with BS&A for online payment processing. Here’s how it works:
- Visit the BS&A Online portal
- Enter your water account number (you can find this on your bill)
- Follow the prompts to complete your payment
Fee Alert! When paying online, there’s a card processing fee of 2.9% plus $0.50 per transaction. This fee goes directly to BS&A (the third-party processor) and not to the city. Your credit card statement will show both the water payment amount and the processing fee separately.
Credit/Debit Cards Accepted Online
BS&A accepts:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Discover
- American Express
- Debit cards (processed as credit card transactions)
E-Check Option
If you don’t wanna pay the credit card fees, you can use an electronic check instead. You’ll need:
- Your bank routing number
- Your bank account number
E-checks have a flat $3 fee, which might be cheaper than the percentage-based credit card fee for larger bills.
Pay Your Water Bill By Phone
Not into the online thing? No problem! You can pay your Dearborn Heights water bill by phone
- Call (313) 725-9881
- The automated system will guide you through
- Have your water account number ready
Note Phone payments don’t support checks, The same fees apply as with online payments
In-Person Payment Options
Some folks just prefer doing things in person, and that’s totally fine!
Pay at City Hall
You can visit the Treasurer’s Office at City Hall:
- Address: 6045 Fenton St., Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
- Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8am to 5pm
- Payment Methods: Cash, check, credit card, money order, cashier’s check, or debit card
The same 2.9% + $0.50 processing fee applies to card payments made in person. Also, be aware there’s a $25 returned item fee for any bounced checks or declined cards.
Other In-Person Options
You’ve got a few other places where you can pay your water bill in person:
- Dearborn Federal Savings Bank (cash or checks)
- DivDat kiosks located throughout the area
- Drop Box at City Hall (checks only – NO CASH)
Automatic Payment Options
Tired of remembering to pay your bill every month? Set it and forget it!
ACH/EFT Automatic Payments
The city offers automatic payments through ACH/EFT transfers. You’ll need to fill out a form, which is available online through the city’s website. This is great for people who want their bill paid automatically from their bank account each month.
Bank Bill Pay Services
Most banks offer their own bill pay service, which lets you schedule payments to the City of Dearborn Heights directly from your bank account. Check with your financial institution to set this up.
Mailed Payments
If you’re old school (no judgment!), you can mail a check:
- Make your check payable to “City of Dearborn Heights”
- Include your water account number in the memo line
- Mail it to the City Hall address
- Allow at least 14 days before the due date to ensure on-time delivery
Important Reminders
- Due Dates Matter: Late payments may incur additional fees
- Processing Fees: Remember that the fees are set by financial institutions and could change
- Account Number: Always have your water account number handy when making payments
- Receipt: Always keep your payment receipt until you see the payment reflected on your next bill
Special Options for Assistance
If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, it’s best to contact the Water Department before your bill becomes past due. Sometimes payment arrangements can be made to help you stay current on your bills.
BS&A Online Resources
Need help navigating the online payment system? BS&A offers these resources:
- BS&A Online Learning Center
- BS&A Online: Pay a Bill (PDF guide)
- BS&A Online: Enrolling in AutoPay and/or Paperless Billing
My Personal Experience
I personally find the online payment through BS&A to be the most convenient option, even with the processing fee. It takes me about 2 minutes to log in and pay my bill. However, I’ve also used the drop box at City Hall when I’m in the area and want to save on fees by paying by check.
FAQs About Dearborn Heights Water Bill Payments
How often are water bills issued in Dearborn Heights?
Water bills are typically issued quarterly, though some accounts may be billed monthly.
What should I do if I don’t receive my bill?
Not receiving your bill doesn’t excuse payment. If you haven’t received your bill, contact the Water Department immediately.
Can I view my water usage history?
Yes, through the BS&A Online portal, you can view your current and past water usage once you’ve registered your account.
What if I think my bill is incorrect?
Contact the Water Department right away to discuss any discrepancies. It’s possible to request a meter reading verification.
Is there a way to go paperless?
Yes! Through the BS&A Online portal, you can enroll in paperless billing after creating an account.
Making Your Water Bill Payment Easier
Water bills might not be the most exciting thing to deal with, but staying on top of them helps avoid late fees and ensure your service continues uninterrupted. With so many payment options available, you can choose whatever’s most convenient for your lifestyle.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with your neighbors in Dearborn Heights. We’re all in this together!
Have you found another convenient way to pay your water bill that I didn’t cover? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
Summary
Paying your Dearborn Heights water bill doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you choose to pay online, by phone, in person, through automatic withdrawals, or by mail, the city offers multiple options to fit your preferences. Just remember to factor in processing fees for some payment methods and always keep your receipt until the payment shows up on your account.
Stay dry, Dearborn Heights!
How to Pay/View your Bill
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Payment Online
There is a card processing fee of 2.9%, plus .50 cents per transaction is charged and retained by our third-party processor, BS&A, for this service and will be added to each transaction. Your credit card statement will reflect the amount of your tax payment and the processing fee. BS&A accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and debit cards. Debit cards will be processed as a credit card transaction and subject to the processing fee of 2.9%, plus .50 cents per transaction. An alternative option is to use an electronic check. To process an E-check, you will need your bank routing number and the bank account number. A $3 fee applies to an electronic check. BS&A Online [link]*** THE FEES ARE SET BY THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME ***
Additional Payment Options
- Automatic Payments- ACH/EFT payment for water (form available online)
- Electronically through your financial institution’s bill pay
- Cash or checks at Dearborn Federal Savings Bank
- Mail a check via USPS (allow 14 days before the due date or deadline)
- Checks may be dropped in the mailbox located at City Hall (NO CASH)
- DivDat kiosks
- Cash, check, debit or credit cards at the Treasurer’s Office
City Hall – Treasurer’s Office 6045 Fenton St.? Dearborn Heights, MI 48127 Monday through Thursday, 8am to 5pm
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Water Rate / Unit | $6.512 |
| Sewer Rate / Unit | $7.761 |
| Meter Maintenance | $4.50 |
| Total Per Unit | $14.27 |
| Minimum Bill (0-4 units) = $61.60 | |
* For billing purposes, one unit of water equals 748 gallons.
Minimum commercial bill varies based on the size of the meter.
Responsibilities of the Water Billing Department
The Water Billing Department is responsible for calculating and distributing bills to all residents and businesses in Dearborn Heights. Our water meter readers take actual readings from each house and business, and record them into each customers account. From there, bills are sent out on a bi-monthly basis to all residents.
The main functions of the department is to maintain customer accounts, investigate high or low water consumption, prepare final bills, answer phone calls from customers, and set up service appointments for stopped meters, final reads, and other types of repairs. Our staff also assists residents in helping to identify leaks at a property. The Water Billing Department works collaboratively with the Department of Public Works to obtain readings and perform repairs throughout the city.
Please call Monday through Thursday 8 am to 5 pm with any questions at (313) 791-3450.
