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1. How often should I expect a water bill?

We have two billing cycles. The account numbers that begins with 100 are generated at the end of every odd months while the account numbers that begin with 300 are generated at the end of each even month. Each bill is due the following month on the 15th.

2. I just established new water service, when should I expect my first water bill?

As a new account holder, receiving your first water bill depends on when the account is established. We bill for service used 2 months in arrears. You have already used the water before you are billed for it.  A water bill will not be generated until we are able to bill you for at least 45 days of service.

3. How much do I pay for water?

The cost per 1,000 gallons of water used depends on the “customer type” and whether the account is classified as within or outside village boundaries.  Please view Village Ordinance Number 2015-ORD-27 which outlines both the sewer and water rates.

4. Why do I have to pay a water security deposit?

The security deposit is one of the requirement to establish water service. This deposit is held on the account to be applied towards your “final” water bill.  Whatever credit is remaining after the balance of the final bill has been satisfied, will be refunded via check and mailed to the forwarding address you will provide at the time of making the request for a final bill.

5. What are your methods for accepting payments?

Options / Types of Payments

We accept:

• Cash
• Checks
• Credit Cards
• Debit
• Money Order

Payments can also be mailed to our office:
Village of South Chicago Heights
3317 Chicago Road
South Chicago Heights, IL 60411

We also have a drop box located in our parking lot for your convenience. Please allow a space of 5 transit days to ensure the payment is receive in a timely manner.

6. Am I responsible for paying the entire water bill if I had a leak?

Yes. Water that runs through a meter is considered used and subsequently billed. It is imperative that the source of the leak is found and repaired immediately to minimize water loss and an increased water bill.

7. No one comes to my house to read my water meter. Is my bill being estimated?

No. With the 2015 meter upgrade program, we also implemented a new “read system” which allows the water department to obtain a meter read over the airways right from the office.

8. Why is there an $8 administration fee on my water bill?

The administration fee is a small ($4 per month) fee that goes towards the Meter Upgrade Program. This includes the meter, radio antenna and the new reading software. Along with the added convenience of getting an accurate read from the office without interrupting your day by needing to get in to read the water meter.

9. Why is my water bill so high?

Remember-bills are generated in arrears. You have already used the water before you are billed for it. Also, the following are a few reasons why your bill could be higher than previous bills.

• If you ever have to jiggle the handle on your toilet, you have a leak and the tank parts need to be replaced.
• Check your toilet for a “silent” leak by putting a couple drops of a dark colored food coloring into the tank. Do not flush! Wait about 10 to 15 minutes, if the color appears in the toilet bowl, the tank parks need to be replaced.
• Do you have a water softener? Check the timing of regeneration to make sure it is not cycling too often and that it is not malfunctioning.
• Check all outside spigots for leaks.
• If you have a sprinkler system you may want to reduce the time the water is running.