Monthly Billing Starts for Maui Water and Wastewater

Kahului Wailuku Wastewater Treatment Plant, photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Maui Department of Water Supply will begin sending combined water and wastewater bills to customers on a monthly basis starting on Jan, 22, 2013.

The new billing cycle replaces the current bi-monthly billing, allowing customers to align their payment with other monthly utility expenses. Water officials say an additional benefit is that the shorter billing cycle will provide more opportunities for customers to adjust their water use to lower their next bill.

“The more frequent billing schedule may also help customers to discover leaks sooner, allowing for prompt repair, and reduce high bills caused by leaks, saving money and our precious water resources,” said Director of Water Supply Dave Taylor.  “It will also assist our ratepayers to budget for these costs more effectively,” he said.

Customers were informed of the upcoming change through information material included in past billings.  Customers will soon receive a reminder letter which explains that it may take up to two months for a customer to receive a monthly bill, due to the conversion of the meter reading cycles to accommodate monthly readings.

Significant changes are highlighted in a special how-to-read-your-bill insert that will be sent with a customer’s first monthly bill, and will include the following:

• Water and sewer bills will be sent monthly for more timely information. Customers who subscribe to automatic bill pay or online bank payment services should anticipate having their payments deducted from their designated bank account each month, instead of every two months.
• A new 10-digit account number will replace the former 14-digit account number.
• Payment due date is now “Payment Must Reach By” date.
• Full payment will be due 20 days after the billing date. Minimum payment by the due date is no longer a payment option.

Also, in conjunction with the launch of the new billing system, the DWS is providing more self-service and online customer service options, including online bill viewing, through the website: www.mauiwater.org.

For questions or to learn more about monthly billing or the new system, customers may either visit the DWS website or call the DWS at 270-7730 from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

***Supporting information courtesy Maui Department of Water Supply.