Salem Utility Bill Help for Online Pay, New Accounts, Past Due Balances and High Usage
This guide is for City of Salem, Oregon utility customers who need to pay a water, wastewater, stormwater or streetlight bill, use the new billing portal, find the account number and security code, start or stop service, set up help before shutoff, or understand a high sewer/water bill.
Every section below gives the official city link, phone number, office location, deadline, fee rule or practical call script so the page works like a real utility-help desk, not a long generic article.
Fast answer: City of Salem utility customers can pay online at utilityaccount.cityofsalem.net, use One-Time Pay with the utility account number and security code from the upper-right side of the paper bill, call 1-833-735-2221 for phone payment, mail a check or money order to P.O. Box 2795, Portland, OR 97208-2795, use official drop boxes, or pay in person at 440 Church St. SE, 5th Floor.
Past-due warning: Salem utility bills are due 25 days after the billed date. If water service is already shut off, do not mail payment. To have service turned back on the same day, the city must receive payment by 5 p.m., Monday–Friday.
Salem Water Bill Quick Facts
Salem Water Bill Action Board: Use the Correct Official Path
Start here. These cards match the real user jobs: pay, sign up, avoid shutoff, restore water, get help, or report a water/sewer problem.
I just need to pay
Use the City of Salem utility billing portal for AutoPay, One-Time Pay, bill viewing and account history.
Open portalI do not want to register
Use One-Time Pay. You need the utility account number and security code from the upper-right side of the paper bill.
One-Time Pay stepsI am past due
Call Utility Customer Care before shutoff. Payment plans are handled by phone and require the account holder to call.
Call 503-588-6099My water is already shut off
Pay online, by phone or in person. Do not mail payment. Same-day restoration requires payment by 5 p.m., Monday–Friday.
Shutoff helpI need help paying
Check payment plans, Emergency Utility Assistance and Utility Rate Relief for eligible elderly or disabled customers.
Assistance pageI have a water, sewer or street issue
Call Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6311 for water, sewer, street, flooding or infrastructure issues, 24/7.
Emergency dispatchHow to Pay a Salem Utility Bill Online
Open the official portal
Use the City of Salem utility account portal. The city links it from the official Utility Billing Payments page.
Open utility portalChoose register or One-Time Pay
Register if you want bill history, account history, payments and paperless billing. Use One-Time Pay for a quick payment without logging in.
Official instructionsUse bill details exactly
One-Time Pay requires the utility account number and security code located on the upper-right side of the paper bill.
Read bill guideSave confirmation
If service is pending disconnection or already disconnected, call 503-588-6099 and provide your payment confirmation code.
Call Utility Customer CareNew Salem Utility Billing System: What Returning Customers Must Know
New account number
Salem’s newer utility billing system assigned customers a new account number on the cleaner bill statement.
New billing systemAutoPay re-enrollment
The city says automatic bill payment customers must enroll in the new AutoPay feature to keep using automatic payment.
AutoPay noticeInvoice scam warning
Salem warns customers to be cautious of unexpected bills or suspicious schemes and says the city will never request payment by wire transfer.
Scam alertPhone, Mail, Drop Box and In-Person Payment Options
| Payment method | Official Salem detail | Best use | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | AutoPay or One-Time Pay at utilityaccount.cityofsalem.net. | Fastest general option; account history and paperless billing if registered. | Pay online |
| Telephone | Call 1-833-735-2221. VISA/MasterCard debit and credit cards accepted. | Fast payment without using the website. | Call phone pay |
| P.O. Box 2795, Portland, OR 97208-2795. Check or money order. | Non-urgent payment only. | Mail instructions | |
| In person | 440 Church St. SE, 5th Floor, Salem, OR. Hours 8am–5pm. | Cash payment, shutoff restoration, account questions. | See map |
| Drop box | City lists Civic Center, drive-through, West Salem Library and Public Works Operations drop boxes. | Check or money order drop-off when not urgent. | See drop boxes |
Salem Utility Payment Drop Box Locations
| Drop box | Address / location | Payment type |
|---|---|---|
| City of Salem Civic Center | 555 Liberty St. SE, Room 100, Salem, OR 97301 | Check or money order |
| Civic Center drive-through | 500 block of Liberty Street SE | Check or money order |
| West Salem Public Library | 395 Glen Creek Road NW, Salem, OR 97304 | Check or money order |
| Public Works Operations | 1457 23rd St. SE, Salem, OR 97302 | Check or money order |
Past Due or Shutoff Utility Services: Salem Timeline and Same-Day Restoration
25-day due date
Utility bills are due 25 days after the billed date. Current charges should be paid by that date to avoid past-due action.
Due date rulePast-due reminder
If payment is not received by the 25th day, a reminder notice is mailed on the 26th day or next business day with 7 more days to pay.
Reminder noticeShutoff / collections warning
If the balance remains unpaid, Salem may send a past-due letter with a payment deadline and warning of shutoff or collections.
Shutoff detailsIf you need more time
Call before water is shut off. Payment plans are handled over the phone and are not available after shutoff for nonpayment.
Call 503-588-6099If water is already shut off
Pay the past-due balance and all associated fees in full. Then call with confirmation to reinstate service.
Pay onlineSame-day restoration
The city must receive payment by 5 p.m., Monday–Friday, for same-day turn-on consideration.
Restoration rulesKnow the fees
Salem’s 2026 fee table lists service disconnection for nonpayment at $25 and suspended account activation at $25.
Fee tablePast-due call script
Payment Plans, Emergency Utility Assistance and Rate Relief
| Help option | Who it may help | Key rule | Official action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment plan | Customers who need extra time or need to spread the balance over time. | Must be the account holder, have no missed payment plans in the last 3 months, and water service must not already be shut off. | Call 503-588-6099 |
| Emergency Utility Assistance | Single-family residential customers needing short-term bill help. | Up to $350 in assistance for 2026; utility charges only, not violation fees. | Assistance page |
| Prequalification path | Customers approved in the last 12 months for listed programs. | Can include Salvation Army emergency utility assistance, LIHEAP, City rate relief, Section 8 or Salem Housing Authority units. | Ask if prequalified |
| Utility Rate Relief | Households age 60+ or with a disabled household member. | Must meet 60% State Median Income rule and be listed on a single-family residential account with sewer services. | Call 503-588-9016 |
| Salvation Army partner | Customers referred for Emergency Utility Assistance. | Call 503-585-6688; listed hours are Mon–Wed 1pm–3pm and Thu–Fri 9am–3pm. | Call Salvation Army |
Start, Move or Stop Salem Utility Service
Start service
Call Utility Customer Care with your name, phone number, service address, date you took possession and mailing address.
Start service rulesExpect the activation fee
All new utility accounts are charged a $25 New Account Activation fee on the first bill, even if you are already a Salem customer.
Activation fee detailMove service
Call with both old and new service addresses, dates, phone number and forwarding address for the final bill.
Call Utility Customer CareStop service
Call with your name, phone number, stop-service address, date moved and final-bill forwarding address.
Stop service detailsHow to Read the Salem Utility Bill Without Missing a Deadline
Top-right account box
The bill shows the account number, bill date, account class and account area in the top-right corner.
Read bill guidePayment identifiers
To pay by phone or online, the account number and service-address 4-digit ZIP code are required.
Account infoPrevious balance
Previous balances are due immediately and may lead to disconnection or collections even before current charges are due.
Previous balance rule2026 Salem Water, Sewer, Stormwater and Account Fees
Salem utility bills can include water, wastewater, stormwater, streetlight, franchise fee, city operations fee and account-related fees. The exact amount depends on usage, account class, meter size, wastewater volume and impervious area.
| Charge | 2026 official detail | What it means | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water base, common residential meter | 5/8–3/4 inch meter base charge: $14.09 in water service charge table; water rate table also lists a 5/8–3/4 inch water base of $15.16. | Base charges are monthly fixed charges tied to service/meter type. | Rates and fees |
| Water volume unit | One ccf equals 748 gallons. 2026 single-family residential water volume listed at $3.30 per ccf in the service-charge table and $3.58 per ccf in the water-rate table. | Usage is multiplied by the applicable volume rate. | Water rates |
| Wastewater single-family base and volume | 2026 single-family wastewater base: $20.07 per account; wastewater volume: $4.47 per ccf. | Wastewater is usually not metered separately and can stay the same each month. | Wastewater rates |
| Stormwater base and impervious area | 2026 stormwater base: $14.44 per account; single-family impervious-area tiers range from $7.15 to $9.19. | Stormwater depends on impervious surface area and account class. | Stormwater rates |
| City operations fee | 2026 single-family residential City Operations Fee: $16.75. | Flat fee supporting General Fund services; not based on property value. | City operations fee |
| Account fees | New account activation: $25; dishonored payment: $35; meter tampering/damage: $200; first meter obstruction: $100. | These are avoidable fees when account/payment/meter access problems occur. | Other fees |
High Salem Water Bill: Check Usage, Wastewater Volume and Hidden Fees
Check water usage first
- Compare water usage with last month and last year.
- Review current and previous meter readings.
- Look for irrigation, hose, toilet or water heater leaks.
- Use the estimator with actual bill usage.
Check wastewater volume
- Wastewater is usually not metered separately.
- Salem uses 2–4 measurable readings from service periods including November 1 and after.
- Once set, wastewater volume is billed monthly even if water use changes.
- New customers may request review after two full billing cycles if set to city average.
Check non-water lines
- Stormwater base and impervious-area fee.
- Streetlight fee.
- City Operations Fee.
- Franchise fee, excluding certain listed charges.
High-bill call script
Water, Sewer or Street Emergency: Do Not Call Billing First
Billing helps with accounts and payments. Public Works Dispatch handles city infrastructure problems.
24/7 dispatch
Call 503-588-6311 or email PWDispatch@CityofSalem.net for water, sewer or street system issues.
Emergency pageWhat to provide
Give the address or hundred block, nearest cross street, damage description, photo if available, your name, phone and email.
Report detailsShutting off water
Always shut off the hot water heater before shutting off water service. If you cannot locate the meter, call Public Works Dispatch.
Water shutoff stepsSalem Utility Payment Office Map and Visit Plan
Use the office for in-person payment, cash payment, shutoff restoration questions, payment confirmation, account changes and utility-billing help.
Bring
Utility bill, account number, security code if using One-Time Pay, payment confirmation, photo ID if needed, and any past-due or shutoff notice.
Ask before leaving
“Is my payment posted, is water service protected or restored, and is there any remaining balance, fee or payment-plan step?”
Office hours
Utility Customer Care hours are listed Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Official Salem Water Bill Links
Salem Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay my City of Salem utility bill online?
Use the City of Salem utility billing portal at utilityaccount.cityofsalem.net. Registered users can view bills, see account history, make payments and enroll in paperless billing. One-Time Pay is available without logging in.
What do I need for Salem One-Time Pay?
You need the utility account number and security code located on the upper-right side of the paper utility bill.
What is the Salem utility billing phone number?
For Utility Customer Care, call 503-588-6099, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. For automated phone payment, call 1-833-735-2221.
When is a City of Salem utility bill due?
Salem utility bills are due 25 days after the billed date. If payment is not received by the 25th day, a past-due reminder is mailed on the 26th day or next business day.
What happens after a Salem utility bill becomes past due?
The past-due reminder gives an additional 7 days to pay the past-due balance. If it remains unpaid, a past-due letter may warn of potential water shutoff or referral to collections.
How do I restore Salem water service after shutoff?
Pay the past-due balance and all associated fees in full. Do not mail the payment. To have service turned back on the same day, Salem must receive payment by 5pm, Monday through Friday. Then call Utility Customer Care with the confirmation code.
Does Salem offer utility payment assistance?
Yes. Salem offers payment plans, Emergency Utility Assistance up to $350 for 2026, and a Utility Rate Relief Program for eligible elderly or disabled customers.
How do I start Salem utility service?
Call Utility Customer Care with your name, phone number, service address, date you took possession and mailing address. A $25 New Account Activation fee is charged on the first bill.
Why is my Salem sewer charge the same even when water usage changes?
Wastewater volume is usually not metered separately. Salem determines wastewater volume annually using average water consumption from two to four measurable meter readings for service periods that include November 1 and after. Once set, the wastewater volume is billed monthly.
Who do I call for a water, sewer or street emergency in Salem?
Call Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or email PWDispatch@CityofSalem.net. Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies.