In 2022, credit card processing cost our ratepayers over $1.4 million and were projected to increase to almost $2 million. The use of premium credit cards, such as cashback and airline mile cards, has impacted the credit card industry and they are passing those costs through their processing fees. City Council directed Aurora Water to work with our processor on mitigating these costs.
Payment by ACH or eCheck is free. All credit card transactions for water bill payments now have a transaction fee of $1.95 for residential customers and $7.95 for commercial, multifamily and irrigation accounts. ACH or eCheck option will continue to be at no cost.
Yes, by connecting your account to your checking or saving account, called ACH or eCheck, you can still make an online or phone payment at no cost. You can also pay by check by mailing it in or using our payment drop box at the Aurora Municipal Canter, paying by check or cash at the Aurora City Cashier at the Aurora Municipal Center. The municipal center is at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway in Aurora.
Any payment through our online customer portal that uses a credit card, debit card, PayPal Credit Card, PayPal payment and Venmo will include a fees of $1.95 per transaction for residential accounts, and $7.95 per transaction for all other accounts, including multifamily, commercial, irrigation and hydrant accounts.
These fees apply only to the payment options provided though our customer portal or pay-by-phone system. If you use a bill payment service through your bank, financial software or an online system, they may have their own fee structure that is not included in our fees.
Please note that
Wester Union utility payment are also not impacted by this fee, however, Western Union charges $1 per transaction.
Our third-party payment processor, Paymentus, collects this fee directly. These fees do not come to Aurora Water.