Bills are due 24 calendar days after the bill date.  Per ordinance, the City assesses a 10% late fee to the outstanding balance after the due date.  To avoid late fees and the delinquency process, pay your bill via automatic bill payment options, bank draft or recurring credit card.  With no City fees assessed, these payment options provide reassuring comfort to the customer that the bill is paid on time.  See Bill Pay Options.

Delinquency Process

Courtesy reminders are provided for delinquent accounts.  Customers with arrear balances can expect:

1. Automated phone call after the late fee is assessed. Be sure your current phone number is present on your account.
2. Mailed Payment Reminder illustrating the recent unpaid bill, and if applicable, a Termination Notice illustrating the previous month’s unpaid bill.
3. If the balance is unpaid after the Termination Notice is mailed, a week prior to shut off, an automated phone call informing the account is subject to disconnection for non-payment.
4. Arrear accounts are disconnected for non-payment 15 days after the Termination Notices are mailed. Meters are read, turned off, and locked.
5. With no payment on the account for 7 days after disconnection, the account is closed.

Resumption of Service after Disconnection for Non-Payment

1. Contact our office at 281.652.1603 during working hours. Any payment made online and/or via check will not resume service. If you are unable to make a payment, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.
2. Staff will advise the amount to pay with fee(s) and if applicable, an additional deposit to resume service and set up an appointment to ensure water service can resume. Reconnection service will only occur by appointment and between 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
   (Be sure all water features are turned off to allow the City to resume service. Services cannot be turned on if water is running once a meter is turned on.)
3. Applicable fees include:
   • $50 processing fee per account on disconnection list.
   • $100 after hours processing fee.
   • $100 tampering fee for a broken meter lock
   • $200 tampering fee for a pulled/tampered meter
4. Applicable additional deposit for accounts whose service has been disconnected twice within six months:
   • $75 for residential accounts
   • $170 for commercial accounts