Chelan County PUD offers three main ways to pay: online through their website, by phone, or by mail
Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) serves about 40,000 customers in central Washington. You can pay your bill the way that works best for you — most people use online payment because it's immediate and leaves a record, but phone and mail are still available if you prefer them.
The fastest route is the Chelan County PUD website. Go to chelanpud.org, look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Online Bill Pay" link (usually in the top navigation or under "Customer Service"), and enter your account number and the amount due. You'll need a checking account or debit card. Payment posts the same day if you pay before their cutoff time, which is typically 5 p.m. Pacific on business days.
If you don't want to set up an online account, you can call their customer service line at (509) 661-4028 and pay over the phone with a debit or credit card. This takes about five minutes. There may be a small fee for phone payments — ask when you call.
For mail payments, send a check or money order to the address printed on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail typically takes 5 to 10 business days to arrive, so send it at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late payment.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through chelanpud.org is the fastest method and posts the same day if you pay before 5 p.m. Pacific on a business day.
- Phone payment at (509) 661-4028 works if you don't have internet access or prefer speaking to someone, though a small fee may apply.
- Mail payments require you to send your check at least two weeks early because postal delivery takes 5 to 10 business days.
- Your account number appears on your bill and is required for all payment methods.
- Late fees apply if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill, regardless of when you sent it.
Setting up online bill pay on the Chelan County PUD website
The online portal requires you to create an account the first time you use it. Go to chelanpud.org and click "Pay My Bill" or "Online Services." You'll be asked for your account number (on your bill) and either your service address or phone number to verify your identity.
Once you're logged in, you can see your current balance, due date, and payment history. The payment screen lets you choose to pay the full amount due or a partial amount. You can also set up a one-time payment or schedule a future payment for a specific date — useful if you want to pay on payday but your bill is due sooner.
Save your login information somewhere secure. If you forget your password, the website has a "Forgot Password" link that will send you a reset email. If you lose access to your email, call customer service and they can help you regain access to your account.
Automatic payments and budget billing options
Chelan County PUD offers automatic payment, where the utility withdraws your bill amount from your bank account on a set date each month. This prevents accidental late payments and removes the step of paying manually. You set it up through the online portal or by calling (509) 661-4028.
The utility also offers budget billing, which averages your annual usage and spreads the cost evenly across 12 months. This means your bill stays roughly the same in summer and winter, rather than spiking when you run your heat or air conditioning. Budget billing is useful if you're on a fixed income or want predictable monthly costs. Ask about it when you call or check the website for enrollment details.
Both programs are optional. You can cancel automatic payment or budget billing at any time by calling customer service or logging into your online account.
What to do if you can't pay your full bill on time
If you're facing a hardship, contact Chelan County PUD before your bill is due. Call (509) 661-4028 and ask about payment arrangements or hardship programs. Many utilities offer short-term extensions or payment plans that let you split your bill into smaller amounts over several weeks.
Washington State also runs the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps households below certain income thresholds pay heating and cooling costs. Chelan County residents can learn about LIHEAP through the Community Action Partnership of Central Washington or by calling 211 (a free referral line). LIHEAP typically covers a portion of your bill, not the full amount, and you must meet income limits.
If your service has been shut off due to non-payment, call the utility immediately. Most utilities have a reconnection process that requires payment of the full past-due amount plus a reconnection fee. Ask if they offer a payment plan to bring your account current.
Reading your Chelan County PUD bill and understanding charges
Your bill shows your account number, service address, current meter reading, and usage for the billing period (usually 30 days). The charges break down into a customer charge (a fixed monthly fee for being connected) and energy charges (based on how much electricity you used, measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh).
The bill also lists any taxes, fees, or adjustments. Chelan County PUD is a public utility, so rates are set by an elected board of commissioners rather than a private company. If you think your bill is wrong, compare your current meter reading to the previous one and calculate the difference — that's your usage. If the math doesn't match, call customer service.
Your bill shows the due date and the amount due. If you pay after that date, a late fee is added. The bill also shows your payment history and any balance you're carrying from previous months.
Checking your account balance and usage online
Log into your Chelan County PUD account at chelanpud.org to see your current balance, due date, and recent bills. The portal usually shows your usage for the current month and previous months, which helps you spot unusual spikes.
A sudden jump in usage can mean a leak (especially in your water line if you're also a water customer), an appliance failure, or simply higher heating or cooling needs. If your bill seems wrong, check your meter reading on the bill and compare it to the previous month. If usage doubled but nothing changed in your home, call the utility to report it — they can send someone to check your meter.
The online account also shows any scheduled outages in your area and lets you report an outage if the power goes out. During an outage, you can check the outage map on the website to see when service is expected to be restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for an online payment to show up on my account?
Online payments post the same day if you pay before 5 p.m. Pacific on a business day. If you pay after hours or on a weekend, it will post the next business day. You'll see the payment in your online account within a few hours of processing.
Can I pay my Chelan County PUD bill with a credit card online?
The website accepts debit cards and bank account transfers. Credit card acceptance varies — check the payment screen when you log in, or call (509) 661-4028 to ask. Some utilities charge a fee for credit card payments because the card company charges them a processing fee.
What happens if I miss my due date?
A late fee is added to your bill. If you continue to miss payments, the utility may shut off your service after 30 to 60 days of non-payment, depending on Washington State law. Call immediately if you're behind — most utilities will work with you on a payment plan before disconnecting.
Can I set up automatic payments if I don't have a bank account?
Automatic payments require a checking or savings account. If you don't have one, you can pay online with a debit card, by phone, or by mail. Some community banks and credit unions offer low-cost checking accounts if you want to open one.
How do I change my mailing address for my bill?
Log into your online account and update your address in the account settings, or call (509) 661-4028 and provide your new address. Changes usually take effect on your next bill. If you're moving, notify the utility at least a few days before you leave so they can schedule a final meter reading.