Approved Vendors Best When Paying Water Bills

Paying a water bill at the corner store may be convenient, but it could turn in to a costly hassle.

Residents are encouraged to pay their water bills directly through the city, or through  authorized third-party businesses contracted to process utility payments. Paying a utility bill through an unauthorized vendor is risky, and could result in the payment arriving late, or not at all, with no recourse for the customer, says Laura Clark, Chief Financial Officer.

We want to make bill payment and service delivery as easy and seamless as possible, whether our customers pay us directly, or use our authorized agents. Unfortunately, third party vendors are not required to have a contract with the city to accept utility payments, and if they do not have an agreement with us, we cannot track or verify payments. Customers are still responsible if that vendor pays late, or does not pay at all, even if the customer has paid on time.

Clark says citizens are free to pay their bills where they choose, but if they do so through an unauthorized merchant, they have essentially entered into a contract with that merchant at their own risk.

Particularly in the case of past-due bills, we advise that customers pay by mail, directly at City Hall, or online at cityofbeaumont.com. Because it can take up to three business days to process a payment from an outside merchant, the customer risks having their water service disconnected, as the payment would not be posted to the account in time.

 Authorized payment centers have a sign designating their status, and there are centers located throughout the city for customer convenience: