Paying your water bill on time is an important responsibility for all residents of Virginia Beach. However, the process can seem confusing especially if you’re new to the area. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about paying your Virginia Beach water bill quickly and easily.
Overview of Virginia Beach Public Utilities
The City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is responsible for providing water and sewer services to residents and businesses in Virginia Beach. The DPU serves over 460000 residents across 249 square miles.
The DPU is committed to providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective water and sewer services. They work hard to maintain aging infrastructure, expand capacity for growth, protect the environment, and keep rates affordable.
When you receive water and sewer services from the City of Virginia Beach, you will receive a monthly bill from the DPU. This bill covers your usage as well as fixed fees for service. It’s important to pay your water bill on time each month to avoid late fees or service interruptions.
Payment Options for Your Water Bill
There are several easy ways to pay your water bill with the City of Virginia Beach:
Online Payment – The easiest way to pay is through the DPU’s online payment system. You can pay by credit card, debit card or eCheck. You’ll need to create an online account to get started.
By Phone: To pay with a credit or debit card over the phone, call the DPU at 757-385-4631.
In Person – Visit the DPU Customer Service Center at 2809 S. Lynnhaven Road, Suite 250 to pay by cash, check or money order.
Drop Box – Place your payment (check or money order only) in one of the secure drop boxes located around the city.
By Mail – Send your check or money order to City of Virginia Beach DPW, P.O. Box 630, Virginia Beach, VA, 23456.
AutoPay – Set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account through the online payment system.
I recommend paying online or with AutoPay if possible. Mailed payments can take 7-10 days to process. Pay online if you need instant processing to restore disconnected service.
Creating an Online Account
The easiest way to manage your water bill is by setting up an online account with the DPU. Here’s how to get started:
Go to https://pu.virginiabeach.gov/customer-service/online-services
Click on “Register or Log In to Online Services”
Select “Sign up for Online Services”
Enter your account number, last name, email address and create a password
Agree to the terms and conditions
Click “Submit” to register your account
Once your account is created, you can log in anytime to view your balance, make a payment, see payment history, update account information and more.
I highly recommend setting up an online account to have 24/7 access and the ability to pay immediately online.
When is my Water Bill Due?
Virginia Beach water bills are due 21 days after the bill date. The due date is printed on your paper bill or can be found by logging into your online account.
Bills are sent out monthly and are based on your previous month’s water usage. However, if you haven’t had your meter read for awhile, you may receive an estimated bill based on your average usage.
Make sure to pay your bill by the due date to avoid a 10% late fee. If your bill remains unpaid, you risk having your water service disconnected.
I recommend paying your bill as soon as you receive it or setting up AutoPay to have it paid automatically each month. Don’t wait until the due date to pay!
How Much is my Water Bill?
Your monthly water bill amount will vary based on factors like:
- Your household’s water usage
- Current utility rates
- Fixed service fees
To estimate your monthly bill, you’ll need to know:
Service Fees – There is a fixed monthly fee for water ($13) and sewer ($31) service.
Consumption Rate – The city charges $4.38 per 1,000 gallons of water used.
Average Usage – The average Virginia Beach household uses around 5,000 gallons per month.
Based on this, a typical monthly water bill is around $97 ($13 + $31 + $53 water usage). Your bill could be higher or lower based on your actual usage. Check your statements online to see your average monthly charges.
Rates are set by the City Council and sometimes increase to cover infrastructure and operating costs. Stay informed on rate changes so you can budget accordingly.
Getting Help Paying Your Bill
If you’re having trouble paying your water bill, don’t panic. The City of Virginia Beach offers assistance programs:
Payment Arrangements – The DPU can set up a payment plan to pay your outstanding balance over time while keeping services active. Give them a call to discuss options.
PIPP Program – Low-income customers can get help through the Percentage Income Payment Program (PIPP). This reduces your bill to an affordable percentage of your monthly income.
THRIVE – Partner agency THRIVE provides emergency bill payment assistance for households in crisis. Submit an application to see if you qualify.
Leak Adjustment – If you have a qualifying water leak on your property, you may be eligible for a billing adjustment. Make sure to repair leaks quickly and submit a form.
Reaching out as soon as possible is key to getting on a manageable payment plan and avoiding shut offs. The DPU has resources to help residents through financial hardship.
Avoid Late Fees and Disconnections
To keep your water service flowing, be sure to pay your bill in full by the due date each month. If your account becomes past due, here’s what to expect:
A 10% late fee will be added if payment is not received by the due date.
A past due notice will be sent after 30 days demanding immediate payment.
If the bill remains unpaid for 45 days, a shut off notice will be issued and a $40 fee applied.
Around day 55, your water service will be disconnected if payment still hasn’t been made.
It costs $40 to resume service once it has been disconnected for nonpayment.
Avoid these extra fees and hassles by paying on time, enrolling in AutoPay, and contacting the DPU immediately if you anticipate payment issues.
Moving Your Service
If you’re moving to a new home within Virginia Beach, you’ll need to close your existing water account and open a new one. Here’s how to make the switch:
To end service at your current address:
Log into your DPU online account and submit a stop service request at least 1 day before your move.
Provide a forwarding address and date to discontinue service.
To start service at your new address:
Submit a start service request online at least 1 day before your move-in date.
If the water is already on, request a transfer into your name (provide ID).
If water needs to be turned on, a fee of $30 ($80 after hours) applies.
Make sure the service dates don’t overlap to avoid paying for both properties in the same month. I recommend requesting start/stop service online for a smooth transition.
Understanding Your Water Usage
When reviewing your monthly water bills, you can gain insights into your household’s usage patterns and check for abnormal spikes that might indicate leaks. Here are some things to look for:
Compare usage month-to-month – Is your usage suddenly much higher than normal?
Check usage in gallons – Is it thousands of gallons above your average?
Consider seasonal changes – Usage often increases in summer with outdoor watering.
Note household changes – More people or new water-using appliance?
Review for leaks – Unusually high usage may be caused by leaks.
Monitoring your monthly usage can help detect leaks early and identify ways to conserve water and control costs. Pay attention to your bills!
Billing Questions or Disputes
If you have any questions or concerns about your water bill, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Department of Public Utilities:
Call 757-385-4631 during business hours for billing questions.
Email [emailprotected] regarding bill disputes.
Submit account inquiries through your online account.
Visit the walk-in customer care center at 2809 S Lynnhaven Rd.
The DPU’s customer service team can explain charges, adjust errors, set up payment plans, and resolve issues. Make sure to contact them right away if you notice any billing problems.
