Hey there, fellow Colony residents! I’ve been living in The Colony, TX for about 5 years now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that nobody enjoys paying bills. But we all gotta do it, right? Over the years, I’ve tried every possible way to pay my utility bills in our lovely city, and I thought I’d share what I’ve learned to make your life a bit easier.
The Colony offers several convenient ways to pay your utility bills, and I’m gonna walk you through each option. Whether you’re tech-savvy or prefer the traditional methods, there’s definitely something that’ll work for you!
Quick Pay – No Login Required!
If you’re like me and sometimes forget your password to everything (happens more than I’d like to admit!), the Quick Pay option is a lifesaver. Here’s what you need to know
- You don’t need to create an account
- All you need is your account number
- Perfect for one-time payments
- Accepts credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
To use Quick Pay, just visit the official utility billing page and click on the “Quick Pay” button. Super easy, and takes like 2 minutes tops!
Creating an Account – For Those Who Want More Control
I personally prefer having an account set up because it gives me more options. Here’s why you might want to consider creating an account:
- View detailed billing history
- Manage multiple accounts (great if you own rental properties!)
- Set up multi-bill payments
- Access to e-Billing
To sign up, go to the utility billing page and click “Sign in or sign up.” They’ve actually just introduced a brand new identity service, so the login experience should be better than ever. You can use your existing username and password if you’ve registered before.
Bank Draft – Set It and Forget It
This is my personal favorite method because I’m kinda forgetful. With bank draft:
- Bills are automatically paid from your checking account
- No more late fees (yay!)
- No need to remember payment dates
- It’s totally free
To set up bank draft, you’ll need to fill out the Bank Draft Form, which you can find on the utility billing website. I had to provide a voided check when I signed up, so have one ready!
Traditional Payment Methods
Not everyone likes paying bills online and that’s totally okay! The Colony offers several traditional ways to pay
By Phone
You can call (972) 625-2741 during business hours to make a payment The customer service folks are super nice – I had to call them once when my online payment wasn’t going through, and they were really helpful.
In Person
If you’re old school or just enjoy getting out of the house, you can pay in person at:
City Hall
6800 Main Street
The Colony, TX 75056
Their business hours are:
- Monday-Thursday: 7:30am-5:30pm
- Friday: 7:30am-11:30am
By Mail
You can also mail your payment to City Hall. Just make sure to include your account number and mail it with enough time to arrive before the due date!
Special Programs & Services
E-Statements
I signed up for e-statements last year and it’s been great – no more paper bills cluttering up my counter! Plus, it’s better for the environment. You can sign up on the utility billing page.
Military Discount Program
If you’re a veteran or active duty military personnel, The Colony offers a special discount program. Check out the details on the utility billing website. My neighbor’s son is in the Army and he says the discount is really helpful.
Moving Out?
If you’re planning to move out of The Colony (though why would you want to leave our awesome city?), there’s a specific Move-Out Request Form on the website. This ensures your account is properly closed and you won’t keep getting billed after you’ve moved.
Things to Remember
Here are some important things to keep in mind about The Colony bill pay:
- If you have deposit refunds less than $1.00 on closed accounts, you’ll need to submit a written request to get that money back
- The utility admin email is [email protected] if you need to contact them
- Their phone number is (972) 625-2741
- If you’re paying through Municipal Court, your payment must be postmarked on or before your court appearance or due date to avoid a warrant
Troubleshooting Common Issues
We’ve all been there – sometimes technology just doesn’t cooperate! Here are some common issues I’ve encountered and how to fix them:
Website Issues
If the utility payment site isn’t working properly, it might be because javascript is disabled on your browser. The site clearly states that javascript needs to be enabled for full functionality.
Payment Not Going Through
This happened to me once – turned out my credit card had expired! Double-check your payment information before submitting. If you’re still having trouble, give them a call at the number above.
Forgot Account Number
If you can’t find your account number, check your last bill or call customer service. They’re super helpful and can look up your account with your name and address.
My Personal Experience with The Colony Bill Pay
I’ve tried pretty much all these methods over the years, and I gotta say, the online system has improved a ton since I moved here. When I first arrived, the website was kinda clunky, but now it’s pretty smooth sailing.
Last month, I forgot to pay my bill (oops!) and got a reminder email because I’m signed up for e-billing. I was able to quickly log in and make a payment before any late fees hit. The whole process took like 3 minutes – definitely easier than driving to City Hall!
Paying your utility bill in The Colony doesn’t have to be a hassle. With so many convenient options, you can choose whatever works best for your lifestyle. I personally recommend setting up an account for the most flexibility, but Quick Pay is great in a pinch!
If you have any questions about utility billing, don’t hesitate to reach out to the city at [email protected] or (972) 625-2741. They’re always happy to help!
P.S. Don’t forget that City offices are closed for Columbus Day, so plan your payments accordingly if that holiday is coming up!
Military Veteran and Active Duty Water & Sewer Discount Program
Service requests must be received no later than a business day prior to the business day service is requested to start. Applications received outside of business hours will be processed the next business day. Same day appointment $20 (pending availability) .
Please choose a link below to begin your service request. Once you have submitted your request, if you have not received a call from customer service within one hour during normal business hours, please contact Customer Services (972-625-2741 option 0) to confirm/complete the request.
Application Fee-New Service $20
No Show Fee (Each Missed Appointment) $20
Transfer Fee (The Colony to The Colony/Same Occupants) $25
Deposits for residential properties (due at time of application):
$75 owner (amount may be higher based on past history)
$150 for renter (amount may be higher based on past history)
Deposits for commercial properties (due at time of application):
$1,000 for irrigation meters
Domestic commercial meters dependent on business type (contact business office)
Hydrant meters $2,000 as of 10/01/2024
Disconnect for non-payment information
Water is disconnected after two (2) bills are past due. In order to restore service, the full balance, disconnect fee of $20 and deposit increase up to $100 is due in full each time water is disconnected for non-payment. Payments to restore service must be made during business hours.
If you are in need of an extension to avoid disconnect, please contact 972-625-2741 option 0 prior to disconnect date listed on your late notice to determine if you are eligible for an extension. Refer to current utility fee schedule for extension policy. Utility Fee Schedule
Late Fee
Payments received after the due date are subject to a 15% late fee.
Returned Payment Fee
Payments that are returned as non-sufficient funds, closed account, etc. are subject to a $25 fee.
The Colony is currently under Phase 1 Drought Contingency Plan
Customer Service Business Hours:
Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm and Friday 7:30am-11:30am
After Hours Water/Sewer Emergency #: 972-625-4471
Utility billing is responsible for billing and collection of residential and commercial bills for water, sewer, sanitation, and recycling accounts, as well as the collection of building permit fees.
Online Payment via Visa/Master/AMEX card ($1.25 fee)
Automated Phone via Visa/Master/AMEX card ($1.25 fee), 972-625-2741 option 4)
Night Deposit (no fee, North side of City Hall)
Fidelity Express Locations Cash only ($1.50 fee)
Auto Draft via Visa/Master/AMEX Card ($1.25 fee)
Auto draft via Bank account (routing and account number) (no fee)
Mail to/visit office: 6800 Main St., The Colony, TX 75056
You may send payment via your banks online bill pay service as well. Please make sure to schedule in advance to reach us by your due date to avoid late fees.
How to Use Bill Pay | Online Banking Tutorial
FAQ
Is the colony a city in Texas?
Yes, The Colony is a city located in Texas. Specifically, it’s a suburb of Dallas, situated in Denton County.
Is the colony expensive?
The Colony is ranked 101 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. The cost of living in The Colony is 97.2% of the national average.
What is the colony Texas zip code?
The Colony, TX has only 1 Standard (Non-Unique) ZIP Code [75056] ZIP Code. It covers a total of 23.63 square miles of land area and 6.25 square miles of water area.
