FAQs

Who has to sign up for water utilities?: Any owner of a home with City water, sewer, and/or garbage has to sign an application form. This needs to be as soon as the home is purchased. If the home is a rental, the owner has to come and sign allowing the renters to receive the billing or not. The owner is responsible for the timely payment of all utility charges, fees and billings assessed against the service unit notwithstanding any other agreement between the owner and occupants (Section 23-6)

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Utility Billing

1. What are the rates for a residential account?: Most residential accounts have a ¾” meter. This information is based on that. If your question concerns a commercial or a different size meter contact City Hall. $2.30 per 1000 gallons plus $8.80 base rate Sewer $1.60 per 1000 gallons plus $7.66 base rate Garbage for most residential accounts is a 105 gallon. If your question concerns a different size, contact City Hall. A special garbage pickup is an additional $21.00. Garbage $12.60 Landfill $7.20 Storm water fee $4.73.

2. What is the storm fee on my bill?: A new charge of $5.20 per month on each account has been added according to resolution 07-36. The State will be implementing new guidelines within the next few years. Instead of being hit with a huge debt at that time, the City of Evanston is beginning its own implementation. The Federal government passed a clean water act that will require the water to be filtered before hitting the river. Some of the new implementations could be very costly.

3. Does the City offer discounts for senior citizens?: Yes. According to Ordinance 83-39: Any person who occupies a dwelling as his/her home or principal residence and is age 65 years old or older is entitled to a water, sewer, and garbage credit. No more than one fee credit in each category shall be allowed on the same property during any year. You may apply in our office, or under "CITY FORMS". This application must be renewed annually in June.

4. Who has to sign up for water utilities?: Any owner of a home with City water, sewer, and/or garbage has to sign an application form. This needs to be as soon as the home is purchased. If the home is a rental, the owner has to come and sign allowing the renters to receive the billing or not. The owner is responsible for the timely payment of all utility charges, fees and billings assessed against the service unit notwithstanding any other agreement between the owner and occupants (Section 23-6)

5. Is there a deposit required?: Yes. A $100.00 deposit is required on new customers and possibly on others. This deposit will be either refunded or applied to your account IF the account is kept in good standing for one year.

6. How is the sewer rate figured?: Each year an average is taken from three of the winter months. New residencies that have not established a consumption history for all three metered months shall be charged an assumed usage of 7000 gallons per month.

7. What happens if I am delinquent?: Each month delinquent shut off letters are mailed out. The customer is allowed a couple of days to pay the bill. If the matter is not taken care of, the water will be shut off. To restore the service, customer must pay the account in full, $100.00 deposit, and a turn on fee. Service restoration after 3:30 on week days, weekends and holidays is $75.00. Service restoration for delinquency is $50.00. Voluntary service restoration fee is $20.00. Late and delinquent payment penalty is 1.5% per month.

8. What needs to be done if I am selling my home?: If the owner has a buyer and closing is through a title company, the title company will contact the City for an up to date meter reading. They will collect the amount due at closing. If the closing falls through, the owner needs to continue paying on the account even though it is still on the market to sell. If the closing goes through the title company will make a check to the City to pay the account. The new owner needs to come in and sign for service in their name. If you are selling your home and not going through a title company, you are responsible for making sure all payments due are paid in full.

9. Will I get a bill if I over-pay my account?: Yes. A billing statement will be sent. In the box that tells the amount due will show the credit amount with a – (minus) after the amount. Example: $35.68-

10. Can I use a credit card to pay my account?: Yes. We accept Visa, Master Card, and Discover in our office, over the phone,and online.

11. Can I view my account online?: Yes, click on ONLINE BILL PAY which will link you to xpress BILL PAY where you may access information on your account.

12. Can I pay online?: Yes. Click the “Online Bill Pay”, located on the left side directory of this page, to setup your online account. If you have problems with validation, contact support at 800-766-2350 or support@xpressbillpay.com.