Water Billing
Office Hours: Mon - Thu 8am-4:30pm
Ph: (248) 246-3160
Fax: (248) 246-3001
New Water Bill Format - Starting the Week of October 1, there is a new letter size water bill format and not the usual post card.
Please take note: Companies have been targeting residents with water service claims. The companies are NOT endorsed by the City of Royal Oak. Sample Letter1, Sample Letter-2
- Be aware of a dangerous situation regarding impersonators of water department employees.
Accounts are billed four times annually. There are thirteen billing cycles and 1500 to 2000 bills are mailed out weekly. Payments on bills are typically due on Mondays three weeks after the bills are mailed.
As of July 1, 2011, the water and sewerage rates are as follows:
Water rates:
First 20 units/qtr: $26.60 per 1000 cu ft
In excess of 20 units/qtr: $30.52 per 1000 cu ft
Sewerage rates:
First 20 units/qtr: $68.40 per 1000 cu ft
In excess of 20 units/qtr: $78.48 per 1000 cu ft
Minimum Bill (Service Charge) - $10.25 per quarter
Other City of Royal Oak Water Billing Services and Information:
The City employs its own personnel to read and service water meters using hand-held computers. These workers may also:
- Reread meters when wide disparity in consumption patterns is noted
- Investigate situations of inordinately high water usage
- Install new meters
- Turn-on and turn-off services at the street for repairs
If there is an outdoor reading device at the service address of an account, please be aware that the current reading is based on what is shown on the outdoor reader. Please check periodically to make sure that this reading coincides with the inside water meter and advise us of any discrepancies. Failure to notify the city of any discrepancies between the inside and outside meters may result in additional charges. The property owner is responsible for all past and present water charges based on the inside water meter.
For final/courtesy water bills for real estate closings or for tenant changes, both of which require final meter readings, customers are asked to set up an appointment for a member of the water department to come out and read the water meter. Once the meter is read, a final/courtesy water bill will be generated. The resulting bill may then be mailed or the customer may choose to pick up the bill and pay it at the Treasurer’s Office.
If a scheduled appointment with the Water Service Department is missed, a $45 fee will be billed on the water account.
Note: All City of Royal Oak water bills are mailed to "Water Customer", unless the bill is being mailed to a different address other than the service address. The United States Postal Service will not reroute any mail addressed to "Water Customer", even with a forwarding request that has been made through the Post Office. If you would like your bill mailed to a different address for the winter or while you are out of town, please contact the Water Department by phone or in writing.
In order to avoid any late charges, please make sure payment reaches us on or prior to the due date printed on the water bill. Show the "account number" on your check and make check payable to: City of Royal Oak. The bills are payable at the City Treasurer's Office, 211 S Williams St, or by mail to:
City of Royal Oak
Water Department
PO Box 64
Royal Oak MI 48068-0064
Water & Sewer Rate - History Report
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![[file]](http://www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/portal/sites/coro/modules/webfm/image/icon/pdf.gif "Download RateHistory.pdf"){kind=icon} RateHistory.pdf | 9.88 KB |
| Not Endorsed water_letter1.pdf | 37.81 KB |
| Not Endorsed water_letter2.pdf | 60.31 KB |
Direct Payment
The City of Royal Oak is offering you the opportunity to pay your water/sewer bill through our Direct Payment Service. By sending in a completed enrollment form, your bill will automatically be deducted from your specified checking account on the bill due date. You are to continue to pay your bill as you normally would until you receive notice from the City of Royal Oak that you have been signed up for this service.
The City offers this program to you at no charge. Most financial institutions do not charge for this service either. Please contact your financial institution if you are unsure. You will still receive a quarterly bill to update your checking account. If you need a new enrollment form, or decide to cancel, simply call 248-246-3160 or write the Water Billing Department at City Hall.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact us, Monday - Friday, between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at 248.246.3160
Download the enrollment form below to begin the process.
Questions regarding this process can be E-Mailed to: Water Bill Payments or call (248) 246-3160, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm
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FAQ
Below is a sample of commonly asked or confusing questions. Call 248-246-3160 with your question!
Q. Do I need to have my water service turned on or transferred into my name?
A. Generally the answer is no. Bills are sent to "Water Customer" not to a specifically named person and residential water service is not turned off unless specifically requested. However, if you find that you do not have water service after occupying the home, please contact the Water Billing Department to schedule an appointment to have the water service turned on.
Q. Has the prior owner requested a final bill?
A. It is a good idea to check with the Water Billing Department to verify that the previous owner has requested a final water bill. We can tell you the amount billed to the prior owner for water use as well as whether this amount has been paid. If a final bill has not been requested, we can tell you what is required in order for a final bill to be generated.
Q. When should I expect my first water bill?
A. Residential water bills are prepared quarterly. The exact billing period will depend on the area the resident lives in. Each quarterly bill is mailed approximately three weeks after the meter is read and is due 24 days later.
Q. What should I do if I have a question about the amount I was billed?
A. You may contact the Water Billing Department 248-246-3160 with any questions. Please have your current meter reading when calling. To obtain the current reading simply read the six digits on the face of the meter, from left to right. Or if the meter is an older style dial meter, begin with the largest numbered dial, reading each subsequent dial. If the dial is between two numbers, always read the lowest number.
Q. Why did the City change the water bill format?
A. The City has improved the format of your water bill from a postcard to letter size. This provides an easier to read format and enables the City to provide you with additional billing detail. Future bills will have additional information printed on the back and provide customers with a blue return envelope so that the City can efficiently sort incoming mail.
The City will also be able to send electronic invoices via email to help reduce postage costs. Watch for future information on how to sign up for this service as the program is implemented.
Customers will also be able to access their water accounts on our website. Watch for information as it becomes available.
Please be aware that the City offers automatic debit for payment of bills which saves the City time and money in processing. Check here for automatic debit information.
Payment Options
Credit Card and Electronic Check Payment of Water Bills
You can now pay your water bill with your credit card or electronic check over the telephone or on the Internet.
Telephone
To make a payment over the phone, simply call Official Payments Corp. toll free at 1.800.272.9829 and follow the instructions for a utility payment. You will be prompted to enter a Jurisdiction Code, which is 7077.
Internet - Credit Card
To pay by credit card over the internet, simply go to www.officialpayments.com
Use Jurisdiction Code: 7077
Internet - eCheck
To pay with electronic check over the internet, simply go to https://www.officialpayments.com/echeck
Use Jurisdiction Code: 7077
You will be informed of the convenience fee, which will be based on the amount you are paying. You will be given a confirmation number, which you should keep for your records. Your payment will be posted on the next business day.
Note: Invalid charges, such as insufficient funds, will be subject to additional fees.
For Official Payments customer service, please call toll-free 1-888-357-8394. Representatives are available 7 days a week, 4:00am - 11:00pm PT.
updated: 9.14.2009