Billing Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of topics that generate Frequently Asked Questions. If you have a question that's not addressed on this list, please call our office at (406) 727-7660.
- New Customer
- Renting Property
- Moving
- Need to have water services turned off
- Error in Name or Address appears on your statement
- Making payments on more than one account
- Direct Pay
- Budget Billing Plan
- Utility Share Program
- Lien Information (past due balances of previous occupants)
- Delinquent Accounts
- City's Utility Responsibility
- Property Owner's Responsibility
- Meter Reading
- Meter Tampering
- Consumption Concerns
- Helpful Hints
- Water and Sewer Related Emergencies
- Questions
New Customer
An application for services is necessary. Contact our office to obtain a copy, or download the application*, fill it out, and bring it into our office. You must call or come into our office to set up service. * Note the application is a .pdf file. If you need to download the free Acrobat Reader, go to Adobe.
Renting Property
If you are renting a single family dwelling, you may be responsible for the payment of your monthly utility bill. The owner of the property will make these arrangements with you before you move in. We require that you protect your water meter from cold weather and vandalism. Please contact our office to put the billing in your name.
Moving
Please call our offices one working day prior to your move to arrange for a final utility bill at your current address. If you are moving to another address in our service area, please make arrangement for the water service at your new address one working day prior to the day you will need water service. It is the responsibility of each and every owner/renter to contact us by phone at (406) 727-7660 or in person in order to initiate or terminate services.
Need to have water services turned off
The owner of the property must sign a document requesting the action in Room 104 of the Civic Center. If you are out of town a letter will suffice. If you prefer to communicate by FAX, our number is (406) 452-8048. There is a fee for this service. Please remember that if you have service restored, an appointment must be made to meet you or your representative at the location.
Error in Name or Address appears on your statement
EITHER
Call our office at (406) 727-7660 with the desired correction;
OR
Make the correction on the return portion of your statement as you enclose it with your payment. Staff will note the correction.
Making payments on more than one account
Please write on both the check and return portion of your statement the amount you wish to be applied to each account so that our staff can apply the correct amount accordingly.
Direct Pay
Pay your City of Great Falls Utility bill by Direct Pay. It's convenient, saves time and money, and is safe and reliable. This allows you to pay your monthly bills automatically by having the payment electronically debited from your checking account. All you need to do is fill out the authorization form. You can either stop by our office located in Room 104 of the Civic Center or call us at (406) 727-7660, and we will mail out the form to be completed and returned.
Budget Billing Plan
You may find household budgeting easier with fixed monthly utility payments rather than larger seasonal payments. If you do, you may want to take advantage of the Budget Billing Plan. You must have lived in the residence at least 12 months in order to sign up for budget billing. In order to sign up for budget billing, you must come into our office in the Civic Center, Room 104.
Your monthly bill is based on your billing history and the amount is adjusted annually. We will continue to read your meter monthly. You will receive information on your statement on actual use so you know how much water you are using. We will be happy to calculate your monthly budget billing payment before you decide whether to sign up for this service.
**NOTE: You will need one (1) year's history on your current account, or from a previous location, in order for us to properly calculate the budget amount.
Utility Share Program
The City of Great Falls has an assistance program for those customers who find themselves faced with termination of services for non-payment and have no means to pay. This program is administered by Opportunities, Inc. If you would like to donate to this cause you may make a contribution to Opportunities, Inc. P.O. Box 2288, Great Falls, MT 59403. Please specify this is for the Utility Share Program. If you should need assistance you may contact Opportunities, Inc. at (406) 761-0310 to apply for this program.
Lien Information
OWNERSHIP CHANGES
- If a former owner leaves an outstanding balance, these charges will follow him/her to the new property he/she owns, if it is in our jurisdiction.
- If the customer has moved away from the city, we will send a delinquent final notice for three months. If left unpaid, this outstanding amount will be forwarded to a collection agency.
- If a renter moves out and leaves an outstanding balance, the City of Great Falls will not begin service for a new renter until the owner or former renter clears this account of all lienable items (sewer, storm drain, fire hydrant and sanitation fees).
We will continue the practice of not removing an owner's name on a rental if an outstanding balance is remaining on the property. ALL charges must be cleared before a renter can assume the billing.
Delinquent Accounts
All bills are due and payable 15 days after the bill date. The property is subject to termination of services if the bill is left unpaid. If termination should occur all outstanding fees, a reconnect fee and a deposit must be paid before service is restored.
City's Utility Responsibility
The Water Department is responsible for supplying water that meets all state and federal standards. The Water Department owns and maintains the water meter and equipment that carries the water from our treatment plant to your tap on the water main. The tap connects your service line to the property.
Property Owner's Responsibility
The property owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the curb box, service line and other attached equipment. We also require that you protect your water meter from vandalism and cold weather.
Meter Reading
Your water meter is read each month to determine your water consumption. Most residential and commercial meters are read by remote equipment. This means our meter readers do not need to enter your home or business to obtain a water meter reading. A black box is located on the exterior of the building and a reading is taken with a hand-held recorder.
Meter Tampering
It is against the law for customers to tamper with a meter or with related utility equipment. This is to assure that water use is properly recorded. Meter damage or tampering charges may be billed to a customer's account and may result in termination of utility services if not paid.
Consumption Concerns
If your monthly bill has a noticeable increase in consumption that can't be accounted for, please call our Customer Service representatives at (406) 727-7660. If needed, a service worker will visit your home to help you detemine the cause. When the problem is identifited we ask that you contact the plumber of your choice to have the repairs made.
Helpful Hints
If you supect a leaky toilet, put a few drops of food colloring in the tank and let it sit for several hours. If the dye has colored the water in the bowl, there is a leak.
Check the reading on your water meter before retiring for the night. Then check the meter the first thing in the morning. If the reading has increased and no water was used during the night, you may have a leak. Remember to account for icemakers, humidifiers, or other appliances that operate during night hours.
Water and Sewer Related Emergencies
If you have broken water pipes that cannot be shut off at the entrance valve in the building, sewer backing up in floor drains or toilets, call (406) 727-8045 during working hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Monday through Friday, and (406) 727-1325 after hours, weekends or holidays.
Questions
About your bill
Our Customer Service staff is available from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is (406) 727-7660.
About utility systems operation
WATER -- (406) 727-8045
SEWER -- (406) 727-8045
STORM DRAIN -- (406) 771-1258
or contact Utility Systems
SANITATION -- (406) 771-1401
or contact Sanitation