Billing & Payment Policies

We try to read your meter at the same time each month, however holidays, weekends, and unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather may change your regular reading date. Your account is normally billed within 1 week after your meter is read.


Payment Information

Payment is due 20 days after your bill is mailed to you. Your bill shows the exact date it is considered delinquent for the total of new charges only. If your payment reaches us after the delinquent date, we will charge a late fee of 1.5% of the current charges.

If your bill is not paid within 25 days after the billing date, we will disconnect your water service provided that this day is not a Friday, holiday or weekend, in which case we will disconnect your service on the next business day.

How to Pay

You can make your payment in person using cash, check, money order, or credit card at the City of Lake Wales Administration Building, located at 201 W. Central Avenue. You may pay your bill online after contacting Billing and Collections Department or call 863-676-4775 to set up your online account. Phone payments can be made by calling 844-323-8134; the utility account number is required to make a payment. You may also pay your bill by automatic bank debit after contacting Billing and Collections Department 863-676-4775.

We also accept payment by check or money order via U.S. Mail to the following address:
City of Lake Wales
Utilities Department
P.O. Box 1320
Lake Wales, FL 33859-1320


Deposit Box

A night deposit box is also available for payment by check or money order on the east side of the City Administration Building. Payments placed in the night deposit box after 2 p.m. will be credited to your account on the next business day.


Checks

Please make checks payable to the City of Lake Wales. If your check is returned, we will immediately disconnect your water service and charge you a returned check fee.


Payment Extension Agreements

The City in its sole discretion may permit a customer to execute an agreement for extension of the due date when extenuating circumstances exist which prevent the payment of utility charges by the date due.

A request for an extension agreement must be made prior to the date that service is discontinued for a delinquent payment. Once service has been discontinued, an extension agreement will not be authorized. No more than 1 extension agreement will be authorized in any 6-month period.


Installment Agreements

The City in its sole discretion may permit a customer to execute an installment agreement when extenuating circumstances exist which prevent the payment of utility charges in excess of $50 by the date due. Each installment payment will be added to the bill for current charges and must be paid by the customer within 20 days of being billed. An administrative fee of 1.5% will be assessed against the charges paid by installment agreement.

If the customer fails to make a payment due on an installment agreement, the agreement will be terminated immediately and service will be discontinued until all charges due on the account are paid in full.

A request for an installment agreement must be made prior to the date that service is discontinued for a delinquent payment. Once service has been discontinued, an installment agreement will not be authorized. No more than 1 installment agreement will be authorized in any 12-month period.