Where and how to pay your Arvada water bill
The City of Arvada's Utilities Department handles water billing for the city. You can pay your bill online through the city's website, by phone, by mail, or in person at the Utilities Department office. The online portal is the fastest option — you can set it up in minutes and pay immediately without waiting for a check to arrive.
To pay online, visit the City of Arvada's official utilities payment page and enter your account number (found on your bill) and the amount due. You can also set up automatic payments so the bill is paid on the same day each month, which prevents late fees and saves you the step of remembering to pay. If you prefer to call, the Utilities Department phone line can walk you through payment over the phone and accept credit or debit cards.
Mailing a check takes longer — typically 7 to 10 days for the payment to reach the city and post to your account. If you choose this route, include your account number on the check and mail it to the address printed on your bill. Paying in person at the Utilities Department office is immediate but requires a trip during business hours.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through the City of Arvada's utilities portal is the fastest way to pay and takes effect the same day you submit it.
- Your account number appears on your bill and is required for any payment method except in-person payments.
- Setting up automatic monthly payments prevents late fees and removes the need to remember to pay each billing cycle.
- Late payments typically trigger a penalty fee added to your next bill, so paying by the due date shown on your statement matters.
- The Utilities Department can answer questions about your charges, meter readings, or billing history over the phone during business hours.
Understanding your Arvada water bill charges
Your Arvada water bill includes several separate charges: the water service charge (based on how much water you used), a wastewater treatment charge, and a stormwater management fee. The water portion is metered — the city reads your meter and charges you for the gallons you consumed. The wastewater charge covers the cost of treating the water that leaves your home through drains and toilets. The stormwater fee is a fixed amount that helps fund drainage and flood prevention infrastructure.
The bill also shows your meter reading from the current billing period and the previous one, so you can see how much water your household used. If your usage seems unusually high, check for leaks inside your home — a running toilet or dripping faucet can add hundreds of gallons to your bill over a month. The Utilities Department can help you read your meter and understand whether a spike is normal for the season.
How Arvada's tiered water rates work
Arvada uses a tiered rate structure, which means the price per gallon increases as you use more water. The first tier covers a baseline amount of water at a lower rate — this is meant to cover essential household needs. If you use water beyond that threshold, the additional water is charged at a higher rate per gallon. This structure encourages conservation because using less water saves you money at a faster rate than using more.
Your bill shows which tier each portion of your usage falls into. For example, the first 10,000 gallons in a billing period might be charged at one rate, and anything above that at a higher rate. If you have a large household or use water for irrigation, you may regularly move into the higher tier. Understanding where your usage typically falls helps you predict your bill and spot unusual spikes.
What to do if your bill seems wrong
Start by checking your meter reading on the bill against the previous month's reading. If the difference seems too large, the meter may have been misread, or you may have a leak. The Utilities Department can send someone to verify the meter reading at no charge. You can also read your own meter — it is usually located near the street or in your basement — and compare it to what the city recorded.
If you believe there is a billing error, contact the Utilities Department with your account number and a description of the problem. They will review your account history and meter records. If an error is found, they will adjust your bill and may issue a credit. If a leak is discovered on your property, the city may be able to adjust charges for the water lost, though this depends on when the leak was found and how it was documented.
Late payments and what happens next
If your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your bill, a late fee is added to your account. The amount of the fee varies, but it is typically a percentage of the unpaid balance or a flat amount — check your bill or contact the Utilities Department to confirm the current late fee structure. The fee appears on your next billing statement.
If your bill remains unpaid for 30 to 60 days (the exact timeline is in your city's utility rules), the city may issue a notice of intent to shut off service. This notice gives you a window to pay the full amount owed, including any late fees and shut-off notice fees. If you cannot pay in full, contact the Utilities Department immediately to discuss a payment plan or to ask about hardship programs that may be available.
Hardship programs and payment assistance
The City of Arvada does not operate its own utility assistance program, but residents who are struggling to pay may be referred to community organizations that help with utility bills. The best starting point is to call 211 (a free referral service) or visit 211.org and enter your zip code. This service connects you with local nonprofits that may have funds to help with water bills or other utilities.
When you contact the Utilities Department about a past-due bill, ask whether they know of any local assistance programs currently accepting new requests. Some organizations have seasonal funding or may have reopened after being closed. The Utilities Department staff can also discuss whether a payment plan is possible — some cities allow you to spread an overdue balance across several months rather than pay it all at once.
Reading your Arvada water meter
Your water meter is a dial or digital display that records the total gallons of water that have flowed through your home's main water line. It is usually located near the street in a box, or inside your home near the main water shut-off valve. The meter shows a series of numbers — read them from left to right, just as you would read a car's odometer.
To check your usage for a billing period, write down the meter reading on the first day of the period and again on the last day. Subtract the first number from the second to find how many gallons you used. This number should match (or be very close to) the usage shown on your bill. If it differs by more than a few gallons, contact the Utilities Department — meters are rarely wrong, but a misread is possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up automatic payments if I rent my apartment or house?
Yes. If the water bill is in your name, you can set up automatic payments regardless of whether you own or rent. If the bill is in your landlord's name, you would need to ask them to set up automatic payments or arrange a different payment method with them.
What if I think my meter is broken and I am being overcharged?
Contact the Utilities Department and request a meter test. They will verify the meter's accuracy at no charge. If the meter is found to be faulty, they will replace it and review your recent bills to see whether an adjustment is warranted. Meters are rarely defective, but a test is the only way to know for certain.
Does Arvada offer a discount for seniors or low-income households?
The City of Arvada does not operate a rate discount program for seniors or low-income residents. However, you may be referred to community assistance programs through 211 or local nonprofits. Contact the Utilities Department directly to ask what resources they recommend in your situation.
How often does Arvada read water meters?
Meters are typically read once per month, and your bill is generated based on that monthly reading. If you believe a reading was missed or is incorrect, contact the Utilities Department with your account number and the date you think the error occurred.
What happens if I move out of Arvada before my bill is due?
Contact the Utilities Department with your move-out date and a forwarding address. They will schedule a final meter reading on or near that date and send your final bill to the address you provide. You are responsible for paying the final bill even after you move, so make sure the city has a current mailing address or email on file.