A Guide to Paying Your Water Bill with the Wheeling Water Department

Having reliable access to clean, safe drinking water is something that’s easy to take for granted. But providing water service to an entire city requires extensive infrastructure and coordinated teams working around the clock. For the residents and businesses of Wheeling, West Virginia, it’s the Wheeling Water Department that handles water treatment, distribution, billing, and other services that allow tap water to flow 24/7.

When it’s time to pay your Wheeling water bill each month, you have several options to choose from. Read on to learn about the Wheeling Water Department and the most convenient ways to pay your water bill.

An Overview of Wheeling’s Water Department

The City of Wheeling Water Department has a long history dating back over 170 years, The very first water pumping and distribution system was built near 8th Street in Wheeling in the mid-1800s,

Over the decades, the water infrastructure grew with the construction of a treatment plant in Warwood in 1924 This facility was later upgraded in 1964 and 1992. Just a few years ago in 2015, a brand new $30 million state-of-the-art water treatment plant was completed

Today, the Wheeling Water Department provides water service to the city’s population of around 27,000 residents. They supply over 3 billion gallons of clean water per year.

The department is divided into three divisions:

• Utility Accounting and Revenue – Handles billing, payments, accounts, budgets
• Distribution – Maintains the pipes, pumps, tanks, and other distribution system
• Treatment – Operates the treatment plants and monitors water quality

With a vast underlying network of pumps, pipes, and meters, the Wheeling Water Department works tirelessly to deliver essential water services.

Overview of Water Billing in Wheeling

Customers of the Wheeling Water Department receive monthly water bills for service. Bills are typically sent out at the beginning of each month and payment is due by the 10th.

The amount of your water bill is based on how much water you use, measured in hundreds of cubic feet (CCF) by your water meter. The city has an increasing block rate structure where water gets more expensive at higher usage levels.

Wheeling residential water rates as of 2023 are:

• $3.97 per CCF for the first 3 CCF
• $6.70 per CCF for 3 to 10 CCF
• $9.80 per CCF for over 10 CCF

So for example, if your household used 8 CCF (600 cubic feet) you would pay:

• 3 CCF at $3.97 = $11.91
• 5 CCF at $6.70 = $33.50
• Total = $45.41 monthly water bill

Water bills also include sewer charges based on your water usage. There are added fees for garbage collection for residential customers.

Ways to Pay Your Wheeling Water Bill

The Utility Accounting and Revenue division of the Wheeling Water Department handles all billing and payments. There are several ways you can pay your water bill on time each month:

Pay Online

The Wheeling Water Department website allows online bill payments 24/7. You can pay by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, or electronic check. Payment is posted to your account immediately.

Pay by Phone

Call the Utility Accounting and Revenue office at 304-234-3762 to pay your water bill over the phone. You can pay using a debit/credit card or electronic check.

Pay by Mail

Detach the payment stub from your paper bill and mail it along with a check or money order to the payment mailing address printed on your bill. Allow 5-7 days for mailed payments.

Pay in Person

Bring your payment to the Utility Accounting and Revenue office located in the City-County Building at 1500 Chapline Street in downtown Wheeling. Cash, check, money order, and card payments are accepted.

Auto Bill Pay

For hassle-free payments, enroll in recurring auto bill pay through your bank or credit union. Your water bill amount will be automatically paid from your account every month.

Drop Box

You can hand deliver your payment via check or money order by using the drop box located outside the Utility Accounting and Revenue office entrance downtown.

Pay at Kiosks

Self-serve payment kiosks accepting cash, credit/debit payments are located at Walgreens on Chapline Street, Main Street Bank in Elm Grove, and the Ohio County Public Library.

Budget Billing

For consistent payments, join the budget billing program where you pay a fixed amount each month based on your average usage. Your account is reviewed and adjusted quarterly.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are having trouble paying your water bill, the Wheeling Water Department offers programs that may be able to help including:

• Deferred payment plans
• Dollar More Fund assistance
• LIEAP and WAP utility assistance

Contact the Utility Accounting office to find out if you qualify for any payment assistance programs to help manage your water bill.

Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection

Wheeling Water bills are due by the 10th of each month. A 10% penalty is added to any late bill amount after the due date.

If your water bill remains unpaid for two months, a shut-off notice will be sent stating a disconnection date. Make payment arrangements immediately to avoid service interruption.

A $25 fee is charged for reconnection if your water is shut off for non-payment. Protect your good standing by paying your Wheeling water bill in full each month.

Customer Service and Support

The Wheeling Water Department aims to provide excellent service to all its customers in the city. For questions about your water bill, service, rates, or payments, contact Utility Accounting and Revenue at 304-234-3762 Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm.

You can also email [email protected] or visit the office in person. The knowledgeable and friendly staff is ready to address any water bill or service issues you may have.

Safe, reliable water service reaches every home and business 24/7 thanks to the hard work of the Wheeling Water Department. They make the payment process easy with numerous options to pay your monthly bill.

Set reminders to pay your bill on time, enroll in auto bill pay, or budget billing to avoid any late fees. Contact Utility Accounting for payment help or questions. Together, let’s appreciate the vital service of Wheeling’s water professionals.