How to pay your Hillsborough water bill

Hillsborough County Utilities (HCU) offers three main ways to pay your water bill: online through their website, by phone, or by mail. The online method is fastest and shows your payment when ready in your account. Phone payments take a few minutes and go through the same day. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach the office and post to your account.

You will need your account number to pay any way except online with a username and password. Your account number appears on your bill in the upper right corner. If you do not have a recent bill, you can look up your account number on the HCU website by entering your service address.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay online at hillsborough.gov/utilities by logging into your account or paying as a guest without creating an account.
  • Phone payments go through when ready by calling the HCU customer service line and speaking to a representative or using their automated system.
  • Mail payments should be sent to the address on your bill and take 7 to 10 business days to post, so plan ahead if your due date is near.
  • Late fees begin 30 days after your due date, and service can be disconnected after 60 days of non-payment.
  • Setting up automatic payments through your bank or the HCU website prevents missed payments and removes the need to pay manually each month.

Paying online through the HCU website

Go to hillsborough.gov/utilities and select "Pay Your Bill" or "Bill Pay" from the main menu. If you have created an online account, log in with your username and password. If you have not created an account, you can pay as a guest by entering your account number and the amount due.

The website accepts debit cards, credit cards, and electronic bank transfers (ACH). Credit card payments may carry a processing fee of around 2.5 percent, though this varies. Debit card and ACH payments typically have no fee. After you submit your payment, you will see a confirmation number on screen. Save or print this number for your records.

Online payments usually post to your account within one business day. If you pay before 5 p.m. on a business day, the payment often shows by the next morning. Weekend and holiday payments post on the next business day.

Paying by phone

Call Hillsborough County Utilities customer service at the number on your bill. A representative can take your payment over the phone using a debit card, credit card, or bank account. You will need your account number and payment method ready.

If you prefer not to speak to a person, HCU also offers an automated phone payment system. The system guides you through entering your account number and payment information using your phone keypad. Both the representative and automated routes process payments the same day.

Phone payments carry the same fee structure as online: credit cards may have a processing fee, while debit cards and bank transfers typically do not. Ask the representative or listen for the fee disclosure before confirming your payment.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to Hillsborough County Utilities. Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your bill under "Make Checks Payable To" or "Payment Address." Do not send cash through the mail.

Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account. If your due date is within two weeks, paying by mail risks a late payment. Plan to mail your payment at least 10 days before the due date, or use online or phone payment instead.

Keep a copy of your check or the envelope receipt if you mail your payment. If the payment does not post within 10 business days, contact HCU customer service with your mailing date and check number.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments remove the need to pay manually each month and prevent accidental late payments. You can set up automatic payments through the HCU website or through your own bank's bill pay service.

To set up automatic payments on the HCU website, log into your account, go to "Billing" or "Payment Settings," and select "Automatic Payments" or "Recurring Payments." Choose your payment method (debit card or bank account), the amount, and the date each month when you want the payment to go through. Most people choose the due date or a few days before.

If you set up automatic payments through your bank instead, your bank sends a check or electronic transfer to HCU on the date you choose. This method works well if you prefer to manage all your bills in one place. Either way, you can cancel automatic payments at any time by logging into your account or contacting your bank.

What happens if you miss a payment

Your bill shows a due date, usually 20 to 25 days after the bill date. If payment does not arrive by that date, HCU begins charging a late fee. The late fee is typically a percentage of your bill or a flat amount, depending on your county's rules.

If your account is 30 days past due, a late notice is sent to your address. If payment is not made within 60 days of the due date, HCU can disconnect your water service. Once disconnected, you will owe the unpaid balance plus a reconnection fee to restore service.

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact HCU customer service when ready. Some areas offer payment plans or hardship programs that allow you to spread the cost over several months. The sooner you call, the more options may be available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my bill without creating an online account?

Yes. On the HCU website, select the option to pay as a guest. You will enter your account number and the amount due, then choose your payment method. You will not need a username or password, but you will not be able to view your account history or set up automatic payments without creating an account.

Is there a fee for paying online?

Debit card and bank transfer payments have no fee. Credit card payments typically carry a processing fee of around 2.5 percent of the amount paid. The website will show you the fee before you confirm the payment, so you can choose a different payment method if you prefer.

How long does a mailed check take to post?

Mail payments usually take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account. If you are close to your due date, use online or phone payment instead. If you do mail a check and it does not post within 10 days, contact HCU with your check number and mailing date.

What if I want to dispute a charge on my bill?

Contact HCU customer service to report the issue before you pay. They can review your account and explain the charges. If you believe there is an error, they can investigate and adjust your bill if needed. Do not withhold payment while a dispute is being reviewed, as late fees will still explore.

Can I set up automatic payments to pay only part of my bill each month?

Yes. When you set up automatic payments, you can choose a fixed amount rather than the full bill amount. This works well if you want to pay in installments. However, if you pay less than the full amount due, late fees will explore to the unpaid balance after the due date.