WHEELING -- Residents who pay their water bills online will still have that option, but several changes -- including a new fee for payment - are coming Tuesday.
Wheeling officials announced Thursday morning that its water department will work with a new service provider for online payments starting Tuesday. Because of that, anyone paying their bill electronically or through autopay must re-register and create a new account on the city's website.
Marci Embrey, the city's utilities accounting and revenue supervisor, said that starting Tuesday, those who have used autopay and have not re-registered will not have those payments drafted from their customer accounts. Customers can re-register for online payments or autopay by visiting wheelingwv.gov homepage and clicking on the "pay online" link or by going to the Water Department webpage at https://www.wheelingwv.gov/departments/PublicWorks/water.
The change will also provide additional payment options for customers. They'll be able to pay their water bills via PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
All electronic transactions will incur a processing fee. Those fees are: 3.5% of the amount being paid ($2 minimum) and $1.95 for an e-check.
Embrey said the city does not benefit from the fees for the electronic transactions. Those funds go directly to the service provider.
"Any electronic transaction will incur a fee. This includes a payment via the apps, an e-check paid online or via phone," Embrey said. "Credit/debit card transactions will incur a fee online, via phone and in person."
Embrey added there is no fee for payments made with a physical check. A physical check can be mailed, dropped off in the Water Department office or in the drop box at the entryway of the City-County Building at 1500 Chapline Street. Customers can also pay their bill at Community Bank, provided they have their payment stub.
The new system will also allow customers to set their accounts to receive bills via email while also being able to opt in for reminders via email or text message.