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Utility Services

Show All Answers

1. Can I pay my bill online?

Yes, visit www.savannahga.gov/utilitypay to pay your bill online. You must have your account number and barcode.

2. I have a balance on my account but I am moving. Do I need to pay this balance?

YES, you are responsible for paying your balance. You must pay any past due balances on old or existing accounts prior to re-establishing services at the same address or starting service at a new location. Failure to pay may result in collections action.

3. I need help paying my water bill. Where can I find assistance?

Low income seniors and disabled residents should review the Help to Our Community web page for information on that discount program.

Additionally, throughout the area there are agencies that may provide services to members of the community experiencing hardships. With the help of counseling and advocacy programs, citizens are able to connect with the assistance that is needed. Due to limited funding and eligibility requirements, program acceptance is not guaranteed. Please refer to our listing of Local Resources for Utility Bill Assistance.

4. What is my due date?

Your bill is due 20 days after it is billed.

To learn more about your bill's life cycle and how to avoid delinquency, please visit our Avoid Late Fees, Penalties, & Service Shut-Off page.

5. Why can’t I receive my bill on the same day every other month?

Your account is a part of a billing cycle. We bill approximately 10,000 customers per month. Each billing is processed when all of the meters in your cycle are completely read. Holidays, weekends and unforeseen acts that impact the ability to read meters, such as inclement weather, make it impossible to read your meter on the same exact day. This means your bill will not be issued on the same day every other month.

6. I haven’t gotten a bill, why is that?

Bills are issued bi-monthly. If you are not receiving bills, please contact Customer Service at 912-651-6460 to verify your mailing address and balance.

7. Where is my bar code on my bill and will this number remain the same?

The barcode is located on the return stub of your bill, directly below your account number. The bar code will remain the same as long you have an account at the same address. A new barcode is issued when you transfer service to a new address.

8. When will my trash be picked up?

For trash pickup schedules, please visit the Sanitation website or contact the Sanitation Department at 912-651-6579.

9. Do you offer any bill discounts?

Yes, the Help to Our Community (H2OC) program provides a discount to low income seniors and disabled residents. Learn more on our webpage for H2OC.

10. When will my water be turned on?

All turn on services are the next business day, excluding holidays and weekends. Please ensure that all faucets in the home are turned to the “off position.” If a meter is being reinstalled, this may take up to two (2) business days.

11. How often is my meter read?

Meters are read bi-monthly by meter readers throughout the year.

12. How do you read the water meter?

The majority of our meters read like an odometer. Please refer to our video on How to Read Your Water Bill and Meter.

13. Why is my usage estimated?

We attempt to read every meter bi-monthly. In the event usage is estimated, you will be notified with a message on the bill stating “UNABLE TO READER METER, ESTIMATED BASED ON PRIOR USAGE.”  The most common reason a meter will not be read is dog in yard, car over meter, locked gate, box full of water, overgrown brush or snake or wasp nest in box.  If you receive an estimated bill please contact Customer Service at 912-651-6460 who will arrange for an actual meter reading. A revised Adjusted Bill will be issued once an actual meter reading is obtained.

14. My bill seems high, why is that?

The City of Savannah bills bi-monthly so it’s best to compare your usage to the same period from the prior year, if available. Some habits change depending on the season. Between the dates listed on your last bill, did you do any of the following:

• Have more guests in your home?
• Landscape your yard (i.e. put down new sod or plant grass or shrubs)?
• Pressure wash your driveway or house?
• Have any plumbing repairs completed (even if minor)?

If you cannot determine unusual water usage in your household, you may have a leak.

 

15. My meter box is full of water. Do I have a leak?

Not necessarily. Most water meters are located in the low lying areas and retain water sometimes from rain or an irrigation system. Please contact Customer Service at 912-651-6460 to arrange for a meter inspection.

16. How can I determine if I have a leak?

Most leaks are easy to detect and fix. All you do is check, twist, and replace:

Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads and sprinklers. Check for toilets with silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank, waiting 15 minutes, and seeing if color appears in the bowl before you flush.

Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections. To save water without a noticeable difference in flow in your bathroom, twist on a Water Sense-labeled faucet aerator.

Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for Water Sense-labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

17. Do you offer bill adjustment when someone has had a leak?

Yes, in the event a customer receives an abnormally high billing as a result of a loss caused by leak, a Courtesy Leak Adjustment may be granted on up to two bills impacted after a repair is made. Please refer to our Water and/or Sewer Leak Adjustment Form and Policy for more information.

18. Do you offer bill adjustment on sewer charges for filling a swimming pool?

No, unless a pool repair is made. Please refer to our Water and/or Sewer Leak Adjustment Form and Policy for more information.

19. What is a "back-bill"?

In the event that you have been underbilled for utilities, such as receiving sanitation and/or water and sewer services from the City before establishing an active utilities account, please note that you are still responsible for paying those charges for services rendered. 

The City will issue you a “back-bill”, which represents charges not previously billed, for services that were delivered to you before the current billing cycle and prior to the establishment of your utilities account. 

The City is authorized per the Revenue Ordinance to issue a back-bill for up to “a period of 3 years prior to date of discovery and correction of the [billing] error.” (City of Savannah Revenue Ordinance, Article U. Utility Service Fees, Section 12. BILLING OF UNDERPAYMENT; REFUND OF OVERPAYMENT)

20. When will my account be subject to water service shut-off for delinquency?

The shut-off period for delinquency begins 38 days after the bill date.

Bill Life Cycle	Approx. Days	Fee Charged
Bill Mailed	0
Bill Due	20
Last Day to Pay Without Penalty	30
Penalty Added/Reminder Notice Sent	31	$5 or 10% (whichever is greater)
Administrative Processing Fees Assessed	38	$50
Shut Off Period Begins	38

21. I made a payment arrangement; will I still be charged a late penalty?

Yes, late penalties apply to any account with a past-due balance. Payment arrangements are designed to give you more time to pay a delinquent balance without being disconnected. Until the past-due balance is paid in full, your account will be subject to late penalties.

22. How much of my past-due balance must I pay to start a payment arrangement?

Please refer to our Payment Arrangement page for more information.

23. My service was disconnected and I made the required payment. When will my water be turned back on?

Reconnection of service is done the next business day after we receive payment.