Longview Water Bill Charges, Fees and Monthly Utility Bill Explained
Use this 2026 guide to understand your City of Longview, Texas utility bill. It breaks down water charges, sewer calculation, sanitation/refuse charges, account fees, online payment service fees, returned payment fees, reconnection costs, payment options, customer service phone numbers and the practical steps to check a bill that looks higher than normal.
A City of Longview utility bill can include water, sewer, sanitation/refuse, taxes, account fees, prior balance, returned-payment fee, activation or reactivation fee, after-hours fee, and payment-processing fee depending on your account activity.
For a common inside-city residential 5/8-inch meter, the water minimum is $10.92 and includes the first 2,000 gallons. Water use after that is billed at $2.92 per 1,000 gallons. Standard inside-city sewer for “all others” has a $12.65 minimum plus $4.15 per 1,000 gallons, but residential sewer is usually based on winter average usage rather than the exact current month.
Longview Water Bill Charges Quick Facts
These numbers help explain the most common charges on a residential Longview utility bill.
What This Longview Water Bill Guide Covers
Longview Water Bill Charges Explained in Simple Terms
A Longview utility bill is not only a “water bill.” The bill can include water, sewer, sanitation/refuse, tax, payment history, prior balance, account fees and customer-service charges. If you only compare the final dollar amount without checking each line, it is easy to misunderstand why the bill increased.
| Bill line item | What it means | Why it can change |
|---|---|---|
| Water minimum | Base water charge by meter size. For many inside-city residential accounts, 5/8″ meter minimum is $10.92. | Meter size, inside/outside city status or rate update. |
| Water usage | Usage charge after the first 2,000 gallons. | Leaks, irrigation, guests, pool fill, seasonal use or plumbing issue. |
| Sewer minimum | Base sewer charge. Standard inside-city “all others” minimum is $12.65. | Outside city status, account type or rate update. |
| Sewer usage | For residential customers, usually based on winter average water use from November, December and January. | Winter leaks or high winter usage can affect the next year’s sewer charge. |
| Refuse / sanitation | Garbage and recycling service charge, plus county tax where applicable. | Additional carts, county tax rate or service category. |
| Account fees | Activation, transfer, reactivation, returned payment, meter test or after-hours fees. | Move-in, transfer, non-payment, returned payment or special service request. |
Longview Water Rates Effective October 1, 2025
The official rate schedule lists different water minimums for inside-city and outside-city customers. Most residential accounts use smaller meters, but your meter size matters.
| Meter size | Inside city minimum | Outside city minimum | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8″ meter | $10.92 | $19.91 | Common residential meter size. |
| 1″ meter | $27.31 | $49.79 | Larger residential or small commercial meter. |
| 1 1/2″ meter | $54.62 | $99.57 | Higher fixed bill before usage. |
| 2″ meter | $87.39 | $159.31 | Large service connection. |
| 3″ meter | $174.79 | $318.64 | Large commercial or special use. |
Water usage after the first 2,000 gallons
| Customer location | Usage rate | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Inside city limits | $2.92 per 1,000 gallons | After the initial 2,000 gallons included in the minimum bill. |
| Outside city limits | $4.42 per 1,000 gallons | After the initial 2,000 gallons included in the minimum bill. |
How Longview Monthly Sewer Charge Is Calculated
Longview residential sewer charges are different from water charges. Your sewer amount is based on average household water use during the winter billing period, not necessarily the exact gallons used in the current month.
The City uses the water use from November, December and January, as billed in December, January and February, to calculate the average that appears as the residential sewer charge for the following period.
| Sewer item | Inside city | Outside city | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-family, more than 3 units | $16.68 | $28.17 | Different minimum than standard residential “all others.” |
| All others minimum | $12.65 | $21.66 | Common base sewer category. |
| Per 1,000 gallons | $4.15 | $6.70 | Applied to sewer-billed usage above minimum. |
| New residential customer | Based on 6,000 gallons | Based on 6,000 gallons | Used when no previous winter water-use history exists. |
| Residential cap | 22,000-gallon average | 22,000-gallon average | Maximum average used for residential sewer charge. |
Add winter water use
Add the gallons used during the three winter billing months used by the City.
Divide by three
Divide total winter gallons by three to get the average monthly water use used for sewer calculation.
Subtract the minimum usage amount
The City’s example subtracts the minimum monthly amount before adding per-thousand sewer usage charges.
Add the sewer minimum
Add the base sewer minimum and the usage portion to estimate your monthly sewer charge.
Longview Refuse, Sanitation and Tax Charges
The utility bill can include refuse service in addition to water and sewer. The official rate page lists basic residential garbage and recycling, additional cart charges, commercial charges and county tax rates.
| Refuse item | Inside city | Outside city | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic residential garbage and recycling | $19.35 | $38.70 | Main monthly sanitation charge before tax. |
| Additional residential garbage cart | $5.00 | $5.00 | Applies if you have extra cart service. |
| Additional residential recycling cart | $5.00 | $5.00 | Applies if you have extra recycling cart service. |
| Gregg County tax | 8.25% | 8.25% | County tax rate listed by the City. |
| Harrison County tax | 7.75% | 7.75% | County tax rate listed by the City. |
Longview Monthly Water Bill Examples by Usage
The examples below use an inside-city 5/8-inch meter, current water rates, current sewer rates and one basic residential refuse charge with Gregg County tax. They are estimates, not official account totals.
For sewer, these examples assume the sewer-billed average equals the same usage shown. Your real sewer charge may be different because residential sewer is based on winter average usage.
| Usage / sewer average | Water estimate | Sewer estimate | Refuse + tax estimate | Estimated monthly total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000 gallons | $10.92 | $12.65 | About $20.95 | About $44.52 |
| 4,000 gallons | $16.76 | $20.95 | About $20.95 | About $58.66 |
| 6,000 gallons | $22.60 | $29.25 | About $20.95 | About $72.80 |
| 8,000 gallons | $28.44 | $37.55 | About $20.95 | About $86.94 |
| 12,000 gallons | $40.12 | $54.15 | About $20.95 | About $115.22 |
Longview Utility Account Fees You May See on the Bill
Some fees appear only when something changes on the account, such as opening service, transferring service, reconnecting after non-payment, requesting a meter test, returning a payment or requesting service after hours.
| Fee | Amount | When it may apply |
|---|---|---|
| Activation fee | $50.00 | Connecting to an existing water service. |
| Reactivation fee | $50.00 | Reconnecting after the account was deactivated for non-payment. |
| Inspection turn on | $50.00 | Water turned on for plumbing inspection only, maximum 5 days. |
| Transfer fee | $50.00 | Turning water on at one location and off at another during a transfer. |
| Meter reset fee | $50.00 | Meter was pulled and customer wants it reinstalled. |
| Meter testing fee | $75.00 | Customer requests meter test and the meter is within standards. |
| After-hours fee | $50.00 | Water-related service requested after 5 p.m., weekends or holidays. |
| Payment return fee | $30.00 | Payment is returned by the bank or cardholder process. |
Longview Online Payment Fee, Card Fee and eCheck Option
The Utility Access portal says that starting January 1, 2026, debit and credit card payments are charged a service fee of 3.6% with a $2.50 minimum. The portal says customers may use eCheck online to avoid this service fee.
| Payment situation | Fee / timing | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Debit or credit card online | 3.6% service fee, $2.50 minimum | Use only if you accept the convenience fee. |
| eCheck online | Can avoid card service fee | Use correct routing and account number to avoid return fee. |
| Credit/debit after 10 p.m. | Posted next business day | Do not wait until late evening if due date is urgent. |
| Electronic check | May take up to 48 hours to clear and post | Pay early if using eCheck near due date. |
| Returned payment | $30 returned payment fee | Double-check account and routing information. |
How to Pay a Longview Water Bill
The City of Longview offers multiple official ways to pay. Pick the method based on whether the bill is routine, near the due date, already past due, or tied to reactivation.
Pay online with Utility Access
Register for a profile or use Utility Access Quick Pay. When adding the account number from a new utility bill, use only the eight numbers before the dash.
Pay by phone
Call 903-237-1030. Press 1 to transfer to the phone payment system, then enter the required account and service-address information.
Pay in person or drive-thru
Visit City Hall at 300 W. Cotton St. during business hours. The City also lists a self-service kiosk available 24/7.
Use night deposit box carefully
After-hours payments can be left in the night deposit box outside the east entrance of City Hall. Do not put cash in the night deposit box. Payments are processed before 10 a.m. the next business day.
Mail payment only when not urgent
Mail payment to Utility Billing Services, P.O. Box 1952, Longview, TX 75606. Mail is not ideal if your due date or deactivation risk is close.
Why Your Longview Water Bill May Be Higher Than Normal
A higher Longview utility bill can come from water usage, winter sewer averaging, refuse changes, account fees, returned payments, service requests, or payment timing. Do not assume it is only a water leak until you review each line.
Winter water usage affected sewer
High use or leaks in November, December or January can raise the residential sewer charge used for the next year.
Card or returned-payment fee
A card service fee, returned payment fee or wrong bank details can add cost even when usage is normal.
Reactivation or transfer fee
Opening, transferring, reconnecting or requesting after-hours service can add account fees.
Actual high usage
Irrigation, outdoor hoses, running toilets, water heater leaks and underground leaks can increase gallons quickly.
Compare gallons used
Look at the water-use section first. If gallons increased, check toilets, irrigation, outside faucets and recent outdoor use.
Check sewer average
If water use is normal but sewer looks high, check whether the winter average changed.
Review account fees
Look for activation, transfer, reactivation, return, meter test or after-hours fees.
Call Utility Billing
Call 903-237-1030 if the bill still does not make sense or if you need to check payment posting.
Longview Utility Billing Phone Number, Address and Hours
Use these official contact details for billing questions, payment questions, activation, transfer, reactivation, high bills, payment posting, online portal help and emergency water or sewer issues.
Utility Billing Services
Use for billing, payment, account and customer service questions.
City Hall / Billing office
300 W. Cotton St.
Longview, TX 75601
Business hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mailing address
Utility Billing Services
P.O. Box 1952
Longview, TX 75606
Official Longview Water Bill, Charges and Payment Resources
Use these official City resources first when checking rates, understanding a bill, paying, reviewing account fees or contacting Utility Billing Services.
📊 Rates and Fees
Official page with current water rates, sewer rates, refuse charges and account fees.
Open Rates & Fees💧 Utility Billing Services
Official billing page with payment options, account access, hours, phone and mail details.
Open Utility Billing💳 Utility Access Portal
Official online payment portal for Quick Pay, profile login, card payment and eCheck.
Open Payment Portal✅ How to Pay
Official payment page covering online, phone, mail, night deposit and in-person payment.
Open How to Pay🚽 Sewer Calculation
Official page explaining winter average sewer calculation and new-customer sewer setup.
Open Sewer Calculation🧾 New Bill Example
Official page showing the newly designed bill and where information appears.
Open Bill ExampleLongview Utility Billing Office Map
Utility Billing Services is located at City Hall, 300 W. Cotton St., Longview, TX 75601. Use this location for in-person payment, drive-thru payment, kiosk access, account help and customer service during business hours.
City of Longview Utility Billing Services
300 W. Cotton St., Longview, Texas 75601.
FAQs About Longview Water Bill Charges, Fees and Bill Explanation
What is the Longview water bill customer service phone number?
Call City of Longview Utility Billing Services at 903-237-1030 for billing, payment and account questions.
What is the basic Longview inside-city water minimum for a 5/8-inch meter?
The official current rate page lists the inside-city 5/8-inch water meter minimum at $10.92, effective October 1, 2025.
How much is Longview water usage after the minimum?
For inside-city customers, water usage after the initial 2,000 gallons is $2.92 per 1,000 gallons. Outside-city usage after the initial 2,000 gallons is $4.42 per 1,000 gallons.
How is the Longview sewer charge calculated?
Residential sewer is based on average household water use during November, December and January. New residential customers without previous winter usage are set with a sewer charge based on 6,000 gallons.
What is the Longview reactivation fee after non-payment?
The official fee page lists a $50 reactivation fee for reconnecting to the water system after the account has been deactivated for non-payment.
What is the Longview returned payment fee?
The official payment page says a $30 payment return fee will be assessed if payment is returned to the department by the bank.
What is the Longview online card payment service fee in 2026?
The Utility Access portal says starting January 1, 2026, debit or credit card payments have a 3.6% service fee with a $2.50 minimum. Customers may pay by eCheck online to avoid this card service fee.
Where do I mail a Longview water bill payment?
Mail payments to Utility Billing Services, P.O. Box 1952, Longview, TX 75606.
Where is the Longview Utility Billing office?
Utility Billing Services is located at City Hall, 300 W. Cotton St., Longview, TX 75601.
Who do I call for a Longview after-hours water or sewer emergency?
For after-hours water and sewer emergencies, call 903-236-3030.
Best Way to Understand Your Longview Water Bill in 2026
Start with the water line, then check sewer, refuse, tax and account fees separately. For many inside-city residential customers, the water minimum is $10.92, sewer starts at $12.65, and basic residential refuse is $19.35 plus applicable county tax. The final bill may be higher because of winter sewer averaging, payment fees, returned payments, activation, reactivation, transfer or after-hours service.
If the bill looks wrong, compare gallons used, review winter sewer average, check account fees, and call 903-237-1030 before the due date. If there is a water or sewer emergency after hours, call 903-236-3030.
Important Notice: This article is an independent informational guide and is not the City of Longview, Utility Billing Services, Tyler Technologies, Municipal Online Payments, or an official payment processor. Rates, fees, payment-processing charges, sewer calculation rules, office hours, emergency numbers, billing procedures and account requirements can change. Always verify urgent billing, high bill, payment, reactivation, account fee or emergency matters directly with City of Longview Utility Billing Services.