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Finance - Utility Billing

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1. Where is the Utility Billing service window?

The Utility Billing service window is located in Customer Service on the first floor of City Hall at 7008 S. Rice Ave, Bellaire, TX 77401.

2. What are your hours of operation?

Our normal office hours are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays.

3. What is the phone number for a Utility Billing service representative?

The phone number is 713-662-8253.

4. Can I contact a Utility Billing service representative via email?

Yes, the email address is utilitybill@bellairetx.gov. 

5. What are the requirements for starting new water, sewer, garbage and recycling service?

Owner/tenant applicants must know who they are buying/renting the property from to initiate service. Applicants must go to the Utility Billing service window and fill out a contract in person. If the home is a new build construction or if you are tenant, you must have of Certificate of Occupancy issued by City of Bellaire Permits Department prior to moving into the home and prior to establishing a City of Bellaire utility account. There is a $90 service fee and a deposit due at time of service request. The deposits are: owner - $50, tenant - $100, and commercial - $100. Owner and tenant deposits are refundable (applied as an account credit) after 12 consecutive months of good pay history. Commercial deposits are released upon termination of account if the account is paid in full.

6. Can I have water service without garbage service?

No. City ordinance requires garbage service for each residential account with water service.

7. If I am not living in my home and not using water or garbage services, can I have a refund?

No. All active contracts are billed for services. If you will be out of your home for an extended period of time, you can request to terminate your service. To reinstate service, you will be required to pay a service fee and deposit as described above in Item 5.

8. I moved. Why am I still getting a bill?

When you sign up for service with the City, you agree to pay for services rendered at the particular address. If you do not notify us that you are moving and desire to terminate services, we will continue to bill you unless the new occupant comes in to open an account and initiate service. Even if you move, you are contractually responsible for charges at the address until services are terminated.

9. When is my bill due?

Payments are due before 5:00 pm of the second Friday of each month.

10. Where can I pay?

We have several payment options available to you.

• You can pay in person at the Utility Billing service window.
• If you receive a paper bill in the mail, you can mail your payment in the envelope you received with your bill.
• You can pay online using a credit card (one-time or recurring) by clicking the following link: Pay Online Now
• You can pay over the phone using a credit card: 713-662-8253.
• You can sign up for automatic bank payment drafts. The form is located here: Link to Form
• You may drop off your payment at the Utility Payments box in front of City Hall at 7008 S. Rice Avenue. 

11. What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, personal checks, money orders, and most major credit cards. Click Here to Pay Online

12. Can I set up recurring payments?

Yes, recurring payments may be set up. There are two (2) methods:

- Automatic credit card payments by following the instructions located here: Link To Instructions (PDF)

- Automatic bank payment drafts using the form located here: Link to Form (PDF)

13. Can I receive my bill via email?

Yes, you are encouraged to sign up for e-billing to receive a PDF copy of your bill via email instead of a paper copy of your bill. Sign Up for E-Billing Here! We have provided instructions on the steps to follow to receive your bills via email. 

14. Is my meter read every month?

Yes, each month meters are read for billing purposes. Most meters are electronic smart meters which are read automatically without a person needing to gather a manual reading.

15. Does the City of Bellaire make any leak/pool filling adjustments?

No, the City does not reduce water bills due to leaks or any type of pool filling. The account holder is responsible for any water that has passed through and registered on the meter.

16. Where can I purchase garbage bags?

You can purchase garbage bags at the Utility Billing service window. Each roll of garbage bags is $6. There are 35 garbage bags per roll with twist ties. The bags are 39-gallon bags. You are not required to use City-issued garbage bags; you may also use garbage bags purchased from a store.

The monthly solid waste fee allows up to six (6) garbage bags to be picked up per home per regular garbage day. The homeowner may purchase a sticker to be placed on the garbage bags in excess of the allowed six (6) bags for collection. Stickers may be purchased for $1.00 each at the Utility Billing service window.

17. Where can I purchase a recycling bin?

You can purchase a recycling bin at the Utility Billing service window. Each bin is $11.

18. What are the City's utility rates?

Click the link for the City's utility rates: City Utility Rates

19. What is winter averaging?

Your water meter measures your monthly water use, but there is no meter on your wastewater line. During the winter months, residential customers use the least amount of water with almost all water usage going directly into the sanitary sewer system, so the metered water usage is a good indicator of wastewater. In the summer months, there is significantly more water usage that does not go into the sanitary sewer system, such as water used watering lawns, filling swimming pools, and washing cars. Each year we calculate a typical month’s wastewater usage by averaging the winter months and we use that usage as your wastewater volume for billing throughout the remainder of the year. Typically, this results in substantial savings for residents during the summer months.

20. I think I may have a leak. How can I tell?

The City has developed a Leak Detection and Water Conservation Guide which may be helpful in determining if you have a leak and how to identify the source of the leak. Our resident utility portal (see item #22 below) has leak detection alerts that can notify you via email, text, or phone call of potential leaks identified. Go to the Resident Utility Portal to register.

21. Can I get more information about my smart water meter?

The City has developed a Water Meter brochure describing the advanced metering infrastructure water meter system and how to read your water meter.

22. Can I see my usage online?

Yes. In 2019, the City launched a new water conservation, budgeting, and alert tool for customers. Our free online resident utility portal enables customers to see their water usage in real time, see bill estimates based on current water usage, and receive customized alerts regarding abnormal usage and potential leaks. You are encouraged to register and take advantage of this powerful tool. Go to the Resident Utility Portal to register.

23. Can I access my historical utility bills online?

Yes. You can access your last twelve (12) bills by clicking here. We have provided instructions on the steps to follow to access your bills.

24. Is my utility billing information confidential?

Yes. Generally, we will only disclose your information to persons named on the account. Historically, utility customer information was subject to disclosure under the Texas Government Code, Chapter 552 (Public Information Act) unless a customer specified in writing they wanted their information to be kept confidential, however, in 2021, the Texas legislature passed H.B. 872 amending the Texas Utility Code to make utility customer information confidential by default. You do have the right to request the City disclose your information under the Public Information Act, which you can do by completing a Request for Disclosure of Information Maintained by the City of Bellaire Utility Billing Department and returning the form to the Utility Billing department by email (utilitybill@bellairetx.gov) or U. S. mail (Utility Billing Department, 7008 S. Rice Ave., Bellaire, TX 77401).

25. Why is my utility bill unusually high this month?

An unusually high utility bill might be caused by a leak or increased use of an irrigation system. We recommend all customers register for our free online resident utility portal which enables customers to see their water usage in real time, see bill estimates based on current water usage, and receive customized alerts regarding abnormal usage and potential leaks. Go to the Resident Utility Portal to register. The City has developed a Leak Detection and Water Conservation Guide which may be helpful in determining if you have a leak and how to identify the source of the leak.  If you did have a high water bill due to a leak, you should know the City does not reduce water bills due to leaks or any type of pool filling. The account holder is responsible for any water that has passed through and registered on the meter. If you still have questions on your bill, you can contact the Utility Billing office between 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays, at 713-662-8253 or utilitybill@bellairetx.gov.