Billing FAQ
Readings
Water meters are read during the first three weeks of each month to establish the billing amount for water and sewer. For the months of June, July, August, and September we have a summer sewer discount so that the water used on lawns and gardens is exempted from sewer charges.
The summer sewer discount period begins with the May water meter reading and continues until the September meter reading.
Wastewater/Sewer Charges
Sewer charges for this usage period (July through October bills) are based upon the average of the sewer charges from the non watering months of October through April.
When Bills Are Sent
Bills are sent out around the first day of each month. They must be paid no later than the 25th day of the billing month unless the 25th falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case they are due on the next business day. If you do not receive your bill, or you have a question about the charges, please let us know right away; also, if you have a question on the usage, call us as soon as possible so that we can double-check the reading. You may reach us at 219-362-3175.
Meter Reading
The La Porte Water Department sends out meter readers each month to take the readings that you can see on the bill located in the present reading column. The difference between this month's reading and last month's reading is shown in the consumption column.
This reading is based on thousands of gallons with a billing minimum of 3, so a reading of 6 in the consumption column means that 6,000 gallons of water went through the meter in the previous month. If you use less than 3,000 gallons in a month, you will still be billed based on 3,000 gallons.
The values listed in the amount column on the right for sewage are calculated by multiplying the current utility rate by the amount listed under consumption and adding a flat administrative fee to arrive at the total.
Example
Current rate is $4.30 / 1000 gallons of water
Administrative fee is $3.31
| Consumption | x | Current Rate | = | Rate + Administrative Fee | = | Total |
| 5 | x | $4.30 | = | $21.50 + $3.31 | = | 24.81 |
Summer Time Increases
During the summer many customers use city water to water the grass. This results in a higher consumption reading, but this water does not go into the sewer. In order to reflect this difference in water usage from the reading in the month of May to the reading in the month of September, the Utility Billing Department uses the average of the preceding winter months to calculate the summer usage.
If you only used 5,000 gallons a month during the winter months, then during this summer discounting period your usage jumps to 9,000 gallons a month the sewage portion of your bill will be based on the 5,000 gallons a month usage.
Water Leak Increases
If you receive a high bill due to a water leak, read the sewer adjustment information document for instructions on receiving an adjustment on the sewer portion of your bill.
