I would like to enroll in paperless (e-mail) billing. How do I request that?
Email us at treasury@eauclairewi.gov to opt into e-mail billing.
I need to update my billing address. How do I request that?
Email us at treasury@eauclairewi.gov to request your billing address to be updated.
How do I transfer water utility billing into my name…
…as a property owner/landlord? As a landlord, you have two options for billing:
The landlord can remain the billable customer.
OR
The tenant can be the billable customer, with landlord authorization.
To transfer billing into your name as the landlord, fill out and sign the utility service transfer form here as the “customer beginning service”.
If you’d like your tenant to become the billable customer, both parties must fill out and sign the utility service transfer form here.
…as a tenant renting?
As a tenant, your landlord must give authorization for you to become the billable customer. You and your landlord must complete and sign the utility service transfer form available here.
…when I purchase my new home?
In most circumstances when working with a local Eau Claire title company, the closing agents will provide a utility service transfer form for the new owner to fill out and send the completed form to the City. Otherwise, the utility service transfer form is available here.
How do I transfer water utility billing out of my name?
To cancel services, fill out our customer cancellation request here.
How do I set up (or make a change to) my autopay?
Autopay is currently only available for ACH transfers with your financial institution routing number and account number. To enroll or change your autopay information, please fill out the direct payment authorization form available here.
If you’d like to make a one-time payment with a credit or debit card, please visit our payment portal here.
My bill looks higher than normal. What should I do?
In most cases, a higher bill is a result of higher water usage. You can find your water volume usage in CCF listed on your bill on the “WATER RESIDENTIAL VOLUME” line (in a red box on the example bill).
This usage is measured between the “Previous Read Date” and “Current Read Date” printed on your bill (in a blue box on the example bill). Please note that these read dates usually do not line up exactly with the start and end date of the billing cycle.
To aid you in evaluating your current usage alongside your historical usage, up to three years’ worth of usage is listed on your bill (in a yellow box on the example bill). The “HISTORY PERIOD” on the left is the month and year associated with the “BILLED USAGE” in CCF on the right. If the usage on your most recent quarterly bill is higher than normal, begin by asking yourself the following questions:
Do I have a leak? (reference our leak detection brochure here) If a leak is identified, this may have impacted your usage.
Do I have new landscaping, grass, or plants that I am watering? If yes, this may have impacted your usage.
Did my occupancy change? If yes, this may have impacted your usage.
Why does my neighbor have a smaller bill than my family?
Water usage habits and appliance efficiency vary from household to household. Higher usage results in a higher bill amount.
My bill has gone up, is my meter faulty?
No. Water meters function similarly to a vehicle odometer. The meter can slow down or even stop registering usage completely due to age or wear. It cannot arbitrarily record more usage than has passed through the meter. If your usage has gone up, please refer to the above FAQ related to high usage.
How do you calculate sewer volume charges when I water my lawn/garden/wash my car during the summer months?
The sewer volume charge on a residential bill is based on the previous year’s winter quarter. For example, the 2025 sewer volume charges will be based off 2024 winter quarter usage. The City understands that not all of the water that is used in summer will be going back into the sewer system. Some water will be absorbed into the earth or drain into the storm sewer during watering of the grass/gardens/flowers, washing of cars, filling swimming pools, etc.
For example, if you use 10 CCF of water during the winter quarter period, you will be charged 10 CCF for water volume and 10 CCF for sewer volume. If you use 150 CCF of water during a spring/summer/autumn quarter, you will be charged 150 CCF for water volume and 10 CCF for sewer volume. See table below for an example of water and sewer charges during winter, spring, summer, and autumn quarters.
My meter is leaking! What should I do?
If your water meter is leaking, please call our Utility Shop at 715-839-5045.
Where can I find my water meter?
Water meters are always indoors. They are usually located in the lowest level or basement of a residence. Oftentimes they are situated on the side of the home/building closest to the street, in a utility closet or near the water heater. If you are a renter and you cannot find your water meter, your landlord or property manager will be able to assist you.
How do I read my water meter?
Click here for an easy-to-use document on how to read your water meter.
The screen of my water meter is blank! What should I do?
Digital water meters require a light source to activate the display. You can “wake up” the meter display by aiming a flashlight beam at the solar cell.
