Joliet Water Bill Help Center for Payments, Late Fees, Shutoff & Usage
Use this page when you need to pay a City of Joliet utility bill, stop a late fee, restart water after non-payment, start or stop service, check a possible leak, or understand why water, sewer and municipal waste appear on the same bill.
The steps below include the official city links beside the task, so a Joliet customer can move from “What do I do?” to the correct portal, phone number, office, form or emergency line without digging through city menus.
Fast answer: City of Joliet utility bills are mailed monthly for water, sewer and municipal waste. Pay online through the official Paymentus portal, by 24/7 automated phone at 877-811-3799 or 815-724-3969, by mail to PO Box 5001, Joliet, IL 60434-5001, at City Hall, by drop box, by bank bill pay or through automatic bank draft.
Shutoff warning: if water is already off due to non-payment, an online or automated phone payment must be reported to a Customer Service Representative before reinstatement. The city says the utility department has 24 hours from receipt of payment to reinstate service.
Joliet Water Bill Quick Facts
Joliet Water Bill Action Board: Use the Official Link Inside Each Step
Choose the exact reason you came here. Each action sends you to the official city page or the official payment portal.
I need to pay my bill now
Use the official Paymentus portal. You can make a one-time payment without registering if you have the account number from the paper bill.
Open Paymentus portalMy water is off for non-payment
Pay first, then report online or automated phone payment to Customer Service. The city says this is required to get water reinstated.
Read shutoff payment noteI need to start or stop service
Fill out the Water and Sewer Service application to start service. To stop service, contact Customer Service.
Open service application pageI have a water/sewer emergency
Call the 24-hour Public Utilities line for water main breaks, damaged hydrants or water/sewer emergency issues.
See emergency instructionsMy bill suddenly increased
Check the meter leak indicator, toilets, inside/outside faucets, humidifier, icemaker and water softener before assuming the bill is wrong.
Use city leak checklistI want lower future bills
Use the Customer Water Portal to monitor usage and review city customer programs such as low-flow toilet, rain barrel and sewer-related reimbursement programs.
View customer programsHow to Pay a Joliet Water Bill Online or by Phone
Open the official payment portal
The official portal supports one-time payment and customer login. One-time pay needs the account number from the paper bill.
Pay onlineKnow the processing rules
Paymentus says payments before midnight post next day; payments after midnight post within 48 hours. Keep the confirmation number.
Confirm portal timingUse automated phone payment
Call 877-811-3799 or 815-724-3969. Cards and e-checks are accepted through the automated system.
See phone pay detailsWatch the fee and limit
The city lists a $2.10 user fee per payment and a $1,000 maximum per payment. Multiple payments are accepted.
Verify feesJoliet Water Bill Late Fee and Shutoff Warning
1.5% late fee
A 1.5% late fee is charged if the water bill is not paid in full by the due date.
Read city bill guideNo separate delinquency notice
The city says it no longer sends delinquency notices separate from the utility bill. If delinquent, the bill includes a message about possible turnoff.
Check bill warning sectionService terminated?
Contact Customer Service. Online or automated phone payment must be reported to a representative to get water reinstated.
Open payment noteCall script for a late Joliet water bill
If Joliet Water Is Off Due to Non-Payment: Reinstatement Checklist
This is the most important section for urgent users. Payment alone may not restart water automatically.
| Do this | Why it matters | Official action link / contact |
|---|---|---|
| Pay the balance using an accepted method. | The city must receive payment before reinstatement can move forward. | Pay online |
| Report online or automated-phone payment to Customer Service. | The city specifically says this is required to get water reinstated. | Call 815-724-3820 |
| Ask when service can be restored. | The city says Utilities has 24 hours from receipt of payment to reinstate service. | Read shutoff rule |
| Ask about after-hours turn-on fee. | A $120 turn-on fee is charged if water service is requested to be reinstated after hours. | Call Customer Service before expecting after-hours service. |
Joliet Utility Payment Methods: What to Use and What to Avoid
| Payment method | Use when | Important detail | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Paymentus | You want quick payment with confirmation. | $2.10 user fee; $1,000 max per payment; multiple payments accepted. | Pay online |
| Automated phone | You prefer phone payment any time. | 877-811-3799 or 815-724-3969; automated phone payments have a 24-hour delay posting to the utility account. | See phone option |
| Your bill is not urgent. | Mail utility payments to PO Box 5001, Joliet, IL 60434-5001. | Confirm mailing address | |
| City Hall | You need in-person help or a direct receipt. | 150 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60432; Monday–Friday, 8am–4:30pm. | See map |
| Drop box | You need after-hours drop-off. | Drop box is outside City Hall. Write account details clearly. | Payment options |
| Local payment centers | Your water is not off and time is not urgent. | Service fees apply except City Hall; outside payments can be delayed 3–5 business days. | Payment center warning |
Automatic Bank Draft: Best Way to Avoid Future Late Fees
Form + voided check
Complete the authorization agreement, return it to City Hall, and attach a voided check.
Open water/sewer autopay noteMay take 2 cycles
The bill will show “Bank Draft–Do Not Pay” after acceptance, and acceptance may take up to two billing cycles.
Confirm timingStart or Stop Joliet Water and Sewer Service
Start service
Fill out the Application for Water and Sewer Service and return it to Customer Service.
Open application pageDeposit rule
Residential applications require a $125 deposit unless the applicant is the building owner. Commercial/industrial deposit is two times the average water bill unless the applicant owns the premises.
Check deposit ruleStop service
Contact Customer Service in advance of vacating the property and provide a valid mailing address for any refund check.
Stop-service guidanceFinal bill
The deposit is applied to the final bill. Any remaining credit is refunded to the account holder.
Read final bill ruleHow to Read Your Joliet Utility Bill
Joliet utility bills are calculated for days of service on water, sewer and municipal waste, plus actual water consumption. Usage is measured in HCF, and 1 HCF equals 748 gallons.
| Bill part | What it means | What to check | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water consumption | Actual water use shown in HCF. | Compare HCF to last month and the same season last year. | Read bill guide |
| Sewer | Sewer charges are part of the municipal utility bill. | High water usage can also raise related sewer cost. | Current utility rates |
| Municipal waste | The bill includes municipal waste; Joliet contracts with Waste Management for refuse, recycling and yard waste pickup. | If the problem is missed pickup, it may not be a water-billing issue. | Customer Service page |
| Penalty message | Delinquent accounts may show a message on the bill about possible turnoff. | Do not wait for a separate delinquency letter. | Shutoff bill message |
High Joliet Water Bill? Use the City’s Leak Logic First
The city says water leaks are costly and a typical toilet leak at current rates can add up to $250 or more to a monthly utility bill.
Meter leak indicator
- Turn off all water around the house.
- Include outside spigots.
- Look at the triangle leak indicator on the meter register.
- If it moves, water is running somewhere.
Toilet tank test
- Mark the tank water level with a pencil.
- Turn off water supply to the toilet.
- Wait 10 minutes.
- If the level drops, the flapper valve may be leaking.
Other hidden sources
- Inside and outside faucets.
- Humidifier.
- Automatic icemaker.
- Water softener.
- Overflow tube water level.
High-bill call script
Joliet Senior Discount on Municipal Water Bill
Age requirement
The city offers a discount to residents living inside city limits once they reach age 65.
Senior discount FAQProof needed
Seniors must provide documentation of age to Customer Service, such as a valid driver’s license or ID.
Customer ServiceJoliet Customer Programs That Can Help Lower Utility Costs
Joliet Public Utilities lists incentives, rebates and money-saving opportunities. These do not replace paying a due bill, but they can reduce future usage or sewer-related risk.
Low-flow toilet rebate
Useful if older toilets are causing high usage or leak problems.
View customer programsCustomer Water Portal
Monitor usage in near-real time so a toilet leak does not run for a full billing month unnoticed.
Open portal infoWater Main Break, Sewer Emergency or Damaged Hydrant
Report location
Give the nearest address, cross street, direction of water flow and whether traffic, a hydrant or property is affected.
Water/Sewer emergency pageBilling vs emergency
Billing questions go to Customer Service. Water quality, meter maintenance, line breaks and emergency system issues go to Public Utilities.
Customer Service contactsCitizenVUE caution
CitizenVUE is not monitored 24/7 and is not meant for water or sewer emergencies.
Resident reporting rulesJoliet City Hall Map and Visit Plan
Use this for in-person payment, Customer Service questions, water/sewer account help, senior discount documentation, or drop-box planning.
Bring
Utility bill, account number, photo ID, payment method, service address and any shutoff message from the bill.
Ask before leaving
“Is my account current now, did the payment post, and is there any remaining shutoff or penalty issue?”
Use correct entrance
The city FAQ notes visitors should access City Hall through west and/or east side entrances off Des Plaines St. and/or Joliet St.
Official Joliet Water Bill Links
Joliet Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay my City of Joliet water bill online?
Use the official Paymentus customer portal. You can make a one-time payment without registering if you have your account number from the paper bill.
What phone number can I use to pay a Joliet utility bill?
Use the automated phone payment system at 877-811-3799 or 815-724-3969. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is the Joliet online or phone payment fee?
The city lists a $2.10 user fee per payment for online and automated phone payments. The maximum payment allowed is $1,000, but multiple payments are accepted.
What is the late fee on a Joliet water bill?
A 1.5% late fee is charged if the water bill is not paid in full by the due date.
What should I do if my Joliet water is off for non-payment?
Contact Customer Service. If you paid online or through the automated phone system, report that payment to a Customer Service Representative so water can be reinstated.
How long does Joliet take to reinstate water service?
The city says the utility department has 24 hours from the time payment has been received to reinstate water service. After-hours reinstatement requests can have a $120 turn-on fee.
Where do I mail a Joliet utility bill payment?
Mail utility bill payments to PO Box 5001, Joliet, IL 60434-5001. Do not mail last-minute payments if there is a delinquency or shutoff concern.
Who do I call to start or stop Joliet water service?
Call Customer Service at 815-724-3820. To start service, fill out the Application for Water and Sewer Service and return it to Customer Service.
Does Joliet offer a senior discount on municipal water bills?
Yes. Joliet offers a discount to residents living inside city limits once they reach age 65. Seniors must provide documentation of age to Customer Service.
Who do I call for a Joliet water or sewer emergency?
Call the 24-hour Public Utilities line at 815-724-4220 for water or sewer emergencies, water main breaks, damaged hydrants or other system problems.