Utility Billing FAQ’S
Do you have questions about your water and sewer bill? Here are a few questions that are frequently asked by our residents:
- What options do I have when paying my utility (water/sewer) bill?
- How often will I receive a bill?
- Does the City read my water meter?
- I leave for the winter. Should I change my mailing address?
- How much is an average utility bill?
- What happens if my payment is late?
- I’m selling my house. How do I receive a final bill?
- I’m buying a house. Do I need to let anyone know?
- Who should I contact if I have other questions?
click here to make your payment online
1. What options do I have when paying my utility (water/sewer) bill?
The City of Lindstrom now offers a number of convenient ways to pay your quarterly utility bill:
- Cash
- Checks are accepted in person, by mail, or when deposited in drop box located in front of City Hall. Our mailing address is: 13292 Sylvan Avenue, Lindstrom, MN 55045. Please be sure to include your payment stub whenever possible to ensure credit to the correct account. If you don’t have your stub, please indicate the physical address attached to the account.
- Direct Payment – Each quarter, the amount of your bill will be withdrawn from your checking/savings account on the due date. No more worries about those late fees. CLICK HERE FOR DIRECT PAY AUTHORIZATION FORM. Call Krista (651-257-0621) for more information.
- Credit/Debit cards are now accepted at City Hall. Currently, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
- Online Payments (Residential Customers Only) – The City of Lindstrom now has a Web Store! At the top of this page, you may notice a link to make a water/sewer payment online using a MasterCard or Visa credit/debit card. Please note that this option is only available to residential customers. Please allow up to five working days for processing of online payments.
2. How often will I receive a bill?
Utility bills are processed quarterly. The billing periods are: January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December. Meter reads are taken each quarter, as close to the end of the quarter as possible. You can expect to receive your bill within 5-10 days after the meter readings are taken.
3. Does the City read my water meter?
Yes. The City now uses a radio system to read all water meters. Readings are done as close to the last day of each quarter as possible. If you question the reading when you receive your quarterly bill, feel free to call Krista at 651-257-0621.
4. I leave for the winter. Should I change my mailing address?
Lindstrom has a number of residents who enjoy the warmer weather south of us in the winter months. Since your winter home is only for the season, we discourage changing your address on our records. It seems to work well if you have your mail forwarded to your winter home. If you're concerned your payment won't reach us by the due date, it may be a good idea to call Krista at 651-257-0621. Don't forget the option to sign up for Direct Payment - no need to worry about those late fees!
5. How much is an average utility bill?
An average quarterly water and sewer bill for using 10,000 gallons of water per quarter will be approximately $180.00. Your bill includes fixed charges for Base Water, Base Sewer, Storm Water Management, and a State Test Fee. Water and Sewer Usage is billed according to the usage indicated from the meter reading, with a 5,000 gallon minimum on Sewer Usage. Everyone has different habits when it comes to water use, and this will affect your bill each quarter. It’s always a good idea to conserve water as much as possible.
6. What happens if my payment is late?
A penalty of 10% of the unpaid balance will be added to the account in the event the balance is not paid in full by the due date indicated on the bill.
7. I’m selling my house. How do I receive a final bill?
Once you know your closing date, it’s very important that you contact Krista at City Hall (651-257-0621). Closers do not always follow up with final bills for utilities, and it’s easy to overlook some bills at such a busy time. The City sometimes may not even know that resident has moved and someone new has moved in, unless the seller or buyer contacts us. Remember, a final bill can only be processed with a meter reading – we rely on the sellers to provide us with that reading close to the closing date. Once we have a closing date, we will take a meter reading and calculate the final bill. You may come in at your convenience, before closing, to pay it. It’s a good idea to bring the receipt to closing – this proves you have fulfilled your obligation through the closing date.
8. I’m buying a house. Do I need to let anyone know?
Absolutely! Please call us to verify the new owner information, mailing address, and closing date. Please call Krista at City Hall (651-257-0621). Water and sewer bills are attached to the property, and as the new property owner, you become responsible for any balance remaining on the account after closing. We want to help assure that the previous owner has fulfilled their obligation and paid all water and sewer bills to the date of closing. Sometimes, in their busy schedule, sellers overlook contacting us and we are not even aware the property has changed hands.
9. Who should I contact if I have other questions?
Please call Krista at (651-257-0621).