Policies
Meter Reading and Billing
Water meters are read, and the bills calculated and mailed from our business office monthly. Failure to receive bills or notices will not prevent bills from becoming delinquent. Payment of the bill is due by the 5th of the month rendered; if not, a $2 late fee is automatically added to the bill.
Meter Tampering Fee
Customers must apply for water service and pay the required service charge before using the water meter. Any person that uses water before properly applying for service will be charged with meter tampering. Customers or persons that have their service locked for non-payment and tamper with or remove the lock will be charged with meter tampering.
Payments by Mail
When paying by mail, never use cash; always use a check or money order. Write the customer number on the check or money order and include the bill stub.
Payment Drop Box
Our drop box is the slot located on the right side of the main office entry. Place the payment in an envelope including name and account number, insert envelope through the slot.
Application for Service (Water Users Agreement)
Water Users Agreement acceptance is subject to there being an existing main in a street, road or along the right of way abutting the premises to be served. The agreement acceptance shall in no way obligate the Water Authority to extend its mains to serve the premises except as provided in the rules relating to extensions of mains. A separate agreement must be initiated for each service location. The following is required to initiate service: Photo ID, payment of the deposit and connection fees. If you are renting or leasing property, please complete the Landlord Agreement or call the office for information.
Deposits
Deposits provides security for payment of bills, the Water Authority requires all applicants or any potential customer to whom we supply water pay this deposit.
Double Connections
Double connections of water service on one meter is not allowed. Each consumer's service must be separately metered at a single delivery and metering point.
Disconnect and Reconnect due to non-payment on the account
Accounts not paid in full after 60 days of the due date will result in a $25 delinquent fee and the service will be disconnected. Full payment of the account and the delinquent fee is required before the service can be restored.
Return Remittance Policy
A service fee will charged for any type remittance returned from any financial institution. If an instrument is returned from a financial institution for "Insufficient Funds", the Water Authority will send a letter indicating the date the instrument must be picked up and the amount needed to clear the account. If the instrument is not picked up by the date specified on the letter, the account will be subject to disconnection.
Closed Bank Accounts
When the SCWA receives notice of a closed account from financial institutions, the affected water account will be closed and service will be terminated immediately.
Monthly Bank Draft
This convenient payment option insures the customer will never pay a late penalty as a result of forgetting to pay or out of place due to vacation, etc. It also assures that you avoid the hassle of writing and mailing checks each month. To sign up for this service, the customer completes an authorization form, which includes their account number, bank name, bank phone number, signature and a voided check. Once the Water Authority receives the authorization form the customer will continue to receive a monthly bill; however, the bill will be noted "PAID BY BANK DRAFT". The amount of the bill will be electronically deducted from the customer's bank account on the 15th of each month, except when that date falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case it's deducted the next business day.
To sign up for monthly bank draft, call us at (205) 652-9394 or request a form by email at authoritysumter@bellsouth.net. You may also upload a copy from the forms page and bring or send to Sumter County Water Authority.
Water meters are read, and the bills calculated and mailed from our business office monthly. Failure to receive bills or notices will not prevent bills from becoming delinquent. Payment of the bill is due by the 5th of the month rendered; if not, a $2 late fee is automatically added to the bill.
Meter Tampering Fee
Customers must apply for water service and pay the required service charge before using the water meter. Any person that uses water before properly applying for service will be charged with meter tampering. Customers or persons that have their service locked for non-payment and tamper with or remove the lock will be charged with meter tampering.
Payments by Mail
When paying by mail, never use cash; always use a check or money order. Write the customer number on the check or money order and include the bill stub.
Payment Drop Box
Our drop box is the slot located on the right side of the main office entry. Place the payment in an envelope including name and account number, insert envelope through the slot.
Application for Service (Water Users Agreement)
Water Users Agreement acceptance is subject to there being an existing main in a street, road or along the right of way abutting the premises to be served. The agreement acceptance shall in no way obligate the Water Authority to extend its mains to serve the premises except as provided in the rules relating to extensions of mains. A separate agreement must be initiated for each service location. The following is required to initiate service: Photo ID, payment of the deposit and connection fees. If you are renting or leasing property, please complete the Landlord Agreement or call the office for information.
Deposits
Deposits provides security for payment of bills, the Water Authority requires all applicants or any potential customer to whom we supply water pay this deposit.
Double Connections
Double connections of water service on one meter is not allowed. Each consumer's service must be separately metered at a single delivery and metering point.
Disconnect and Reconnect due to non-payment on the account
Accounts not paid in full after 60 days of the due date will result in a $25 delinquent fee and the service will be disconnected. Full payment of the account and the delinquent fee is required before the service can be restored.
Return Remittance Policy
A service fee will charged for any type remittance returned from any financial institution. If an instrument is returned from a financial institution for "Insufficient Funds", the Water Authority will send a letter indicating the date the instrument must be picked up and the amount needed to clear the account. If the instrument is not picked up by the date specified on the letter, the account will be subject to disconnection.
Closed Bank Accounts
When the SCWA receives notice of a closed account from financial institutions, the affected water account will be closed and service will be terminated immediately.
Monthly Bank Draft
This convenient payment option insures the customer will never pay a late penalty as a result of forgetting to pay or out of place due to vacation, etc. It also assures that you avoid the hassle of writing and mailing checks each month. To sign up for this service, the customer completes an authorization form, which includes their account number, bank name, bank phone number, signature and a voided check. Once the Water Authority receives the authorization form the customer will continue to receive a monthly bill; however, the bill will be noted "PAID BY BANK DRAFT". The amount of the bill will be electronically deducted from the customer's bank account on the 15th of each month, except when that date falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case it's deducted the next business day.
To sign up for monthly bank draft, call us at (205) 652-9394 or request a form by email at authoritysumter@bellsouth.net. You may also upload a copy from the forms page and bring or send to Sumter County Water Authority.