ORWD Autopay & Late Fees

Otter Rock Water District started charging late fees in the month of September 2022. The District also started an Autopay program in the month of September 2022. If you pay monthly by check, consider signing up for our Autopay program by filling out and returning the ACH Debit Authorization Form to our office. This form must be returned by the first of the month to begin the Autopay program for that month.

The Autopay program will prevent delays in the district receiving your checks by mail, will prevent delays in your payment clearing at your bank and will also prevent you from incurring fees for late payments.

Payments will be processed on the 10th of each month or if the 10th falls on a weekend or a holiday, the processing date will be the following banking day.

How does the Autopay program work?

An ACH automatic debit program is a program where you authorize the District (through the District's banking institution) to deduct your monthly water payment directly from your bank account on the due date avoiding any late charges.

The Otter Rock Water District will enroll you in the program after receiving your signed application (please see link below) and a voided check. The signed application gives authorization to the Otter Rock Water District to deduct the monthly payments on the due date until such time as the authorization is rescinded. If you wish to cancel, you must notify the District no later than the 5th of the month you wish to cancel. If you change bank accounts you will also need to notify the District by filling out a new application by the first of the month for the change to be effective.
 

Why is the District implementing late fees?

In the not too distant future, the District will be applying for at least a partial loan to pay for the much needed system rebuild. The ability of the District to qualify for any loan will be dependent, in part, on our revenue stream which is what covers our operating expenses. In the past several years our overdue and delinquent accounts have increased both in number and the amount owed. We need to show we can do better. It is the District's goal only to become financially solvent on a consistent monthly basis. To encourage this the District implemented the addition of late fees as part of our 2022-2023 Rates & Fees schedule. Our hope is they will be few and far between.

When is my payment late?

The District bills on the 10th of the month for the water service of the previous month and payment is due in 30 days. A late fee of $10 will be added to each customer account when payments are more than 30 days late. An additional late fee of $20 will be added to each customer account when a payment is more than 60 days. Customer accounts are considered delinquent if payment is more than 60 days late and the customer will be sent a ten day disconnect notice. If payment is not made in full and the water is disconnected, there will also be turn-off and turn-on fees assessed for a total of additional fees of $150.

If you have questions about our Autopay program please contact our office.