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PW - Sewer Billing FAQs

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1. View all sewer billing FAQs

View all sewer billing FAQs

2. How do I read my sewer bill?

View the sample sewer bill for an explanation of billing details.

3. How do I start or stop my service?

When you sell or purchase property, you will be able to submit a service request through the online customer portal. The request can be submitted from your account or as a guest.

4. What are the current sewer rates and charges?

Please see the Sewer Rate Table.

5. When is my bill due?

Current bills are due 25 days from the billing date. Late bills are due immediately. When payments are not received by the due date, such charges become delinquent and are subject to late penalties and interest.

6. How do I pay my sewer bill?

Pay your monthly sewer bill:

• Online
• By Mail
• In Person
• Through your bank either via Account Clearing House (ACH) withdrawal or by using your bank’s Bill Pay function.
• By Phone 

7. What is the new Customer Portal?

The Customer Portal is Pierce County’s new online system for sewer customers to pay their bills with additional flexibility and convenience. Customers can securely access their online account information 24 hours a day from a computer or mobile device.

Customers can visit PierceCountyWa.gov/SewerPortal to register, manage their accounts and explore the various tools available. Once customers are registered, they will be able to view billing statements, set up automatic payments, and receive billing reminders via email.

8. How do I set up my Customer Portal?

Please visit PierceCountyWa.gov/SewerPortal and click “Register a new account.” You will need your account number to register.

 

9. What if I don’t have an email address?

You can pay your bill through our automated phone system by calling (253) 798-4020. A $3.50 convenience fee will be applied to each payment transaction made through the phone system.

10. Why did my bill due date change?

We launched our new online Customer Portal on Tuesday, Aug. 17. As a result, nearly 55,000 single-family residential customers who receive their bill every two months may notice a new bill due date. Payment due dates will remain the same for customers on a monthly billing cycle. Please check your billing statement(s) to see if your bill due date has changed and adjust your payment accordingly.

11. Will my rate increase from the new Customer Portal?

No. The new system will not impact our sewer rates.

12. Is the Customer Portal secure to use?

The Sewer Customer Portal is supported by Amazon Web Services and is subject to continuous enterprise monitoring to ensure stability, performance, and security of our systems. These cloud environments undergo regular audits, conducted by an independent third-party auditor.

The portal implements a Threat and Vulnerability Management Program that includes security scans to identify security threats, including source-code scanning, vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and system hardening scans.

Additionally, the online system undergoes monthly vulnerability scans, code-level security scanning and penetration testing as part of the development and release process.

13. I forgot my customer portal password, how do I reset it?

Click the link on the sign in page “forgot password” and follow the prompts.

14. Do you offer automatic payments?

Yes. Pierce County offers you the option of having the amount of your sewer bill automatically deducted from your checking or savings account. Current users, please utilize the online Customer Portal to update your account information if you change banks, bank accounts, or close a bank account.

 Advantages of this program are:

• No more check writing.
• Payments post on the due date to avoid late charges.
• Saves on postage and allows your bill to be paid when you are away from home.
  
  

Accounts will automatically be removed from Account Clearing House (ACH) in the following circumstances: closed or frozen account, cannot locate account or if there are two consecutive bank returns (i.e. NSF, stop payment).

For additional information about automatic payment program, log in to your online Customer Portal and follow the prompts to set up autopay.

15. What is the convenience fee for online payments?

A $3.50 convenience fee will apply to each phone and online payments. For more information on the convenience fee, click here.

In order to pay multiple accounts as a single transaction, you must be logged in to your online Customer Portal account and make sure all of your accounts are “linked”. (Contact us at 253-798-4020 to link your multiple accounts.) If you choose to pay your multiple accounts through the Quick Pay option, you can only pay one account per entry and will be prompted to pay the $3.50 convenience fee per account. For example: If you are paying three accounts, you would be charged three individual convenience fees for a total of $10.50 ($3.50 x 3).

16. Do you accept debit or credit card payments?

Yes. Debit and credit cards may be used for online payments and in person at our Pierce County Finance Office only. The Finance office is located at 950 Fawcett Avenue, Suite 100, in Tacoma. We accept VISA, MasterCard or e-check using our online system. A $3.50 convenience fee will apply to each payment transaction made online through the online sewer billing system.

17. Do you accept payment over the phone?

Yes. Please call 253-798-4020 to make a payment over the phone. A $3.50 convenience fee will be applied to each payment transaction made through the interactive voice response (IVR) phone system.

18. Who is responsible for paying the sewer bill?

We are required to bill the owner of record as indicated on the county Assessor/Treasurer's real property records. If the owner would like to designate a tenant to receive the sewer utility bill(s), a Letter of Authorization affidavit form must be completed and submitted by the owner for each new tenant. Contact our Customer Billing Services at (253) 798-4020 to request this authorization form by mail or Download the LOA form online. The legal owner of the property is responsible for the sewer bill. By Pierce County Code, sewer charges remain with the property. Refer to PCC Title 13.13.025 for supporting Code reference.

19. What happens if I don't pay my monthly sewer bill?

If the charges on a sewer bill are not paid when due, a one-time late payment penalty of 10% of the latest billed amount is added to the charges. Additionally, interest is attached and accrued on unpaid charges computed at a rate of 8% per annum starting on the next day after the billing due date until paid. The interest shall be applied monthly on the entire unpaid balance, excluding any accrued interest, foreclosure costs, and all lien recording and release fees.

A lien may be placed on a property for accounts that are in excess of 60 days delinquent. A collection letter will be mailed to the property owner and the mortgage company regarding the delinquent lien amount. The collection letter will list the amount of charges in arrears and will explain that the customer must pay the charges in full. The collection letter will also provide notice that under the Revised Code of Washington, Pierce County may bring a foreclosure action against the property 60 days after the attachment of the lien.

The lien will be filed for all delinquent rates, fees and/or charges due in accordance with Pierce County Code Title 13.13.040. The lien amount will include late payment penalties together with accrued interest at 8% per annum from the date due until paid. The lien will attach and foreclose pursuant to RCW 36.94.150.

Typically, payments are applied to the oldest charges first. However, once a lien has been established, only payments satisfying the lien in its entirety will be accepted in release of the lien.

20. What is the 'Late Fee' on my bill?

If payment is not received by the due date, a 10% penalty on the latest amount billed will be charged plus interest on the balance at an annual rate of 8%. Failure to receive the bill does not waive penalty or interest charges. Property owners are legally responsible for all charges. If payments are posted to the account by the due date, you will not be assessed late charges. Refer to PCC Title 13.13.040 B for supporting Code reference.

21. What if my check is returned by the bank?

A returned check fee and applicable late charges are imposed for each payment returned to Pierce County Sewer. The charge is currently $25.00. Returned payments also cancel the sewer payment. Refer to PCC Title 13.13.035 for supporting Code reference. Returned checks are not redeposited.

22. Why does my account have a lien?

Per Pierce County Code 13.13.045, a lien will be filed on all accounts with balances or partial balances that are 60 days or more past due. A lien recording, release and processing charge will be added to the sewer account at the time the lien is placed on the property. Refer to PCC Title 13.13.045 and RCW 36.94.150 for references.

23. How do I get the lien released?

Liens are released when the account is paid to a zero balance. If paid with cash or cashier's check, the lien can be released immediately at the customer's request. Cash payments are only accepted at the Finance Office at 950 Fawcett Ave., Suite 100, Tacoma, WA 98402. If payments are made by money order, check or online, the lien will release 30 days from the posting date.

24. How is payment credited to my account in the event a lien is placed?

Payments are typically applied to the oldest charges first. However, once a lien has been established only payments satisfying the lien in its entirety will be accepted in release of the lien.

25. What if my billing address changes?

You may use the change of billing address block on the remittance slip of your sewer bill, email us to notify us of any changes, submit a mailing address service request using your customer portal, or contact Customer Service at (253) 798-4020 during normal business hours (9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday). Please include a phone number where you can be reached during business hours for written correspondence

26. How do I add a tenant?

If the owner would like to designate a tenant to receive the sewer utility bill(s), a Letter of Authorization affidavit form must be completed and submitted by the owner for each new tenant. Contact our Customer Billing Services at (253) 798-4020 to request this authorization form by mail or Download the LOA form online.