How can I set up automatic payments and when does the payment come out of my account?
Property Owners can set up automatic payments through the Online Account Access (checking/savings or debit/credit card. Debit/credit auto payments still have the 2.25% payment processing fee). Registration required for online access.
Automatic payments (or Recurring Payments) will be taken out of your account on the 10th of the month following the bill date.
If you are an Alderwood, Buttes, Puyallup Highlands or Valley customer, your recurring payment will be on the 10th of the even-numbered months (February, April, June, August, October, and December).
If you are a Chinook, Country/Eldorado, Sierra, View Royal, or Winchester customer, your recurring payment will be on the 10th of the odd-numbered months (January, March, May, July, September, and November).
When is my payment due?
Your bi-monthly water bill is a statement for water service charges covering dates already passed. Per Washington law, your balance is due upon receipt. The due date of the 10th of the month is set to accommodate the collection of delinquent charges according to regulations for municipal corporations.
Therefore payment is due on the 10th day of the month following the bill date. Payments not received in the office by the 25th of the month are assessed a 10% late fee. Penalty Notices are mailed when this charge is incurred. See the Billing Procedures section of our website to read the full billing policy or call the office at 253-841-9698 if you have any questions about your billing cycle or current balance.
What is 'Plant Acquisition' and how long am I going to be paying for it?
When Valley Water District purchased the original water systems in 1994, money was borrowed for acquisition costs and funds were obtained via Public Works Trust Fund Loans to finance immediate needs to remedy the water systems. In 1998, the District closed on the sale of a bond and paid off loans and bank notes associated with the start-up of the District.
Bonds and Public Works Trust Fund Loan payments are made with monies collected from the Base Rate. Every property with a connection to a District water system is billed equally for the cost of the acquisition and ongoing improvements. Customers of water systems that joined the District after the initial start-up are billed similarly for costs related to the acquisition of their water system.
Beginning January 1, 2019 the District will begin phase out of the acquisition fee for all systems, except The Buttes. Removal of the acquisition fee is anticipated to be completed by January 1, 2022.