Lima Utility Bill & Water Service Help
Need to pay a Lima water bill, use Quick Pay, start service, stop service, set up automatic withdrawal, ask about a high bill, report sewer backup, or restore service after shutoff? Use the task boxes below first.
This guide is for the City of Lima Utilities Customer Service Division, also known locally as the water department. The City bills water, sewer and refuse, so your bill may include more than water usage.
What Do You Need to Do?
Use the Lima Water customer portal with customer number, account number and valid email.
Pay nowIf scheduled for turn-off, pay at the Utility Customer Service Office, not just online.
Urgent rulesSubmit a Utility Service Contract and legible copy of ID by fax, email or in person.
Start serviceCall Field Services at 419-221-5175 during business hours or 419-222-9761 after hours.
Emergency contactsQuick Answer for City of Lima Water Customers
Pay online: Use the official Lima Water Pay My Bill portal. The online payment page accepts credit card and eCheck and asks for a customer number and account number.
Billing office: Utilities Customer Service Center, 424 N. Central Avenue, Lima, OH 45801. Phone: 419-221-5252. Email: billing@cityhall.lima.oh.us. Pay-by-phone: 855-973-1210.
Important: The City says the Customer Service office is the only authorized payment center to accept water utility payments. Use the City portal or the City office, not random bill-pay pages.
Water, sewer and refuse
Lima’s Utilities Customer Service Division bills water, sewer and refuse.
7 + 6 digit numbers
Customer number is 7 digits and account number is 6 digits; include leading zeros.
424 N Central Ave
Lobby hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Drive-thru hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
After hours
Call 419-222-9761 for after-hours Field Services emergencies.
How to Pay a Lima Water Bill Online
Start from the official City link
Open the City’s Online Payments page or go directly to the Pay My Bill portal.
Enter customer number and account number
The portal says the customer number is 7 digits and the account number is 6 digits. Include leading zeros if your bill number is shorter.
Choose credit card or eCheck
The City online payment page says the portal, with Paymentus, accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and eChecks. A valid email address is required for online payment.
Save the confirmation
Save date, amount, payment method, customer number, account number and confirmation. If the bill is late, proof alone may not stop a field action.
Call after late payment
If paying after the previous balance due date, the portal says you must call 419-221-5252 after payment to avoid disconnect or have service restored.
Lima Utility Bill Payment Options
| Payment method | Official detail | Best for | Smart tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online portal | Pay through the Lima Water Customer Service Portal using card or eCheck. | Fast standard payment with account number ready. | Requires customer number, account number and valid email address. |
| Phone payment | Call 855-973-1210. You must have your customer and account number. | Customers who want automated phone payment. | Use 419-221-5252 for account help, not just automated pay. |
| Customer Service Office | 424 N. Central Ave. accepts cash, check, money order and card payments with major card logos. | Scheduled turnoff, urgent payment, account questions or service restoration. | The City says if service is scheduled for turn-off, payment must be made at the Utility Customer Service Office. |
| Drive-thru / kiosk | Facility page lists drive-thru 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Customer Service page also notes drive-thru kiosk available 24/7. | Local payment without a lobby visit. | Use lobby if you need detailed account discussion or service setup. |
| Night box | Night box is on the west side of the building. | After-hours non-cash drop-off. | City specifically asks customers not to place cash in the night box. |
| Automatic withdrawal | Set up bank draft by application or through the customer portal. | Customers who want the bill drafted on the due date each month. | Ask when the draft begins; it may not cover a bill already due. |
City of Lima Water Billing Phone, Address and Hours
Customer Service
419-221-5252
Billing, usage, possible leaks, owner sign-in and account closing questions.
Pay by phone
855-973-1210
Automated payment line. Have customer and account number ready.
Fax / email
Fax: 419-221-5208
Email: billing@cityhall.lima.oh.us
Office
424 N. Central Avenue
Lima, OH 45801.
| Need | Contact / place | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Bill, payment, usage or possible leak question | 419-221-5252 | Main Customer Service number for the water department / utility billing. |
| Customer Service office | 424 N. Central Avenue, Lima OH 45801 | In-person payments, account help, service setup and urgent account issues. |
| Lobby | 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday | Face-to-face help with bills, service, usage and possible leaks. |
| Drive-thru | 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday | Convenient local payment when you do not need long assistance. |
| Field Services business hours | 419-221-5175 | Water turn-off emergencies, sewer backup, field issue, City sewer check. |
| After-hours Field Services emergency | 419-222-9761 | Nights, weekends and after-hours emergency water or sewer issues. |
Start, Stop or Transfer Lima Utility Service
Utility Service Contract
To sign in for service, the City says a Water Service Agreement / Utility Service Contract must be completed.
Picture ID
A valid picture ID is required. Start-service instructions say to submit a legible copy with the contract.
24 business hours
The portal says to allow 24 business hours for the request to be completed.
Open the Start New Service page
Use the City’s Start New Service page to begin the process.
Complete the contract
Print and complete the Utility Service Contract / Water Service Agreement. Make sure the address and applicant details are readable.
Send contract and ID
Fax to 419-221-5208, email billing@cityhall.lima.oh.us, or bring everything to the office at 424 N. Central Avenue.
Wait for confirmation or appointment
A Customer Service representative will contact you to set an appointment or confirm the request was received and started.
Meter read starts the billing history
On the service initiation date, the City says a meter reader obtains readings from which the billing history starts.
Late Bill, Penalty, Turn-Off and Restore-Service Rules
Late payment: Payments are due by the close of business on the due date stated on the bill. The FAQ says a penalty for non-payment of the prior month’s bill is calculated as $10 or 10%, whichever is greater.
Restore after shutoff: The FAQ says the account balance must be paid in full. If same-day restoration is requested or needed, a $25 High Priority Fee is required in advance, and a $20 Delinquent Service Fee will be added to the account.
| Situation | Official detail | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Payment after previous balance due date | Portal says you must call 419-221-5252 after payment to avoid disconnect or have service restored. | Pay, save proof, then call Customer Service. |
| Scheduled for turn-off | City Online Payments page says payment must be made at the Utility Customer Service Office at 424 N. Central Avenue. | Do not rely only on online, phone, mail or night box. |
| Prior balance penalty | $10 or 10%, whichever is greater. | Call if the penalty amount does not match your balance. |
| Water already shut off | Balance due in full, plus restoration-related fees when applicable. | Use office/contact route and confirm restoration timing. |
| Renter extension request | FAQ says renter needs prior written permission from owner or authorized agent for extensions or payment agreements. | Get landlord/agent permission before asking the Water Department. |
High Lima Water Bill, Usage Question or Possible Leak
Use portal charts
The customer portal offers detailed usage charts, summary charts and consumption comparison across accounts.
Check private plumbing
Look for running toilets, dripping faucets, water heater discharge, softener cycles and wet basement or yard areas.
Call with numbers
Customer Service helps with usage and possible leaks. Call 419-221-5252 with current and previous bill usage ready.
| What you see | Likely reason | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Water amount increased | Actual usage increase, leak, seasonal outdoor use, or meter-read change. | Check portal usage charts and inspect toilets/outdoor fixtures. |
| Sewer higher than water | City FAQ explains wastewater treatment is more involved and costs more than treating raw surface water. | Review sewer line item before assuming the water charge is wrong. |
| Vacant house still billed | If water is on at the street, the City says a minimum bill still applies. | If usage is 0 or 1 unit and home is vacant, request refuse fee removal in writing. |
| Contract fee appears | Outside-City surcharge/difference between inside and outside City water rates. | Residential outside City: 50% of water charge; commercial: 100% of water charge, per FAQ. |
Sewer, Refuse and Common Lima Bill Confusion
Sewer charges
Sewer can be higher than water because treating wastewater is more expensive and also supports the collection system.
Refuse charge
The utility bill can include refuse. If a home is vacant with 0 or 1 unit of water usage, a written request may remove refuse fee.
Holiday pickup
Refuse/recycling pickup moves back one day when New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas falls on a weekday.
Emergency Water Turn-Off, Sewer Backup and Field Services
| Problem | Call | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer backing up in basement | 419-221-5175 during business hours; 419-222-9761 after hours/weekends. | Address, inside vs outside issue, floor drains affected, sewer odor, callback number. |
| Emergency water turn-off | 419-221-5175 during business hours; 419-222-9761 after hours/weekends. | Reason for shutoff, active leak status, exact address and safe access information. |
| Private drain not working | Utility Field Services can check City sewers at request before calling plumber/sewer cleaner. | Explain if multiple fixtures are affected and whether neighbors have problems. |
| Blue/green markings in yard | OUPS / utility locate marking process. | Blue marks water lines; green marks sewer lines. |
| Digging in yard | Call 811 or 800-362-2764 at least 48 hours before digging. | City does not locate private water lines; use Ohio Utilities Protection Service. |
Who Maintains the Water Line and Sewer Line?
Water service line
The FAQ says the City is responsible from the water main to the curb box, usually in the tree lawn. The customer is responsible from the curb box to inside the house.
Sewer lateral
The FAQ says the customer is responsible for the sewer lateral from the house to the sewer main.
Rates, Outside-City Contract Fee and Official Rate Sheets
Rate sheets
The official Rates page links to water, sewer and refuse rate sheets. Use those sheets for exact current pricing.
Outside-City contract fee
The FAQ says the contract fee is the surcharge or difference between inside-City and outside-City water rate.
Residential vs commercial
Outside-City residential surcharge is listed as 50% of water charge; commercial surcharge is listed as 100% of water charge.
Practical Lima Water Bill Tips Most Posts Miss
Use leading zeros in the portal
The portal requires a 7-digit customer number and 6-digit account number. If your printed number is shorter, include leading zeros.
Office route matters for shutoff risk
If service is scheduled for turn-off, the City says payment needs to be made at the Utility Customer Service Office.
Night box is not for cash
The City asks customers not to put cash in the night box. Use office or other payment routes for cash/card help.
Portal gives more than payment
Registered users can view bills, history, current charges, payment arrangements, usage charts, account profiles and notification preferences.
Renter payment agreements need owner permission
Lima’s FAQ says renters need prior written permission from owner or authorized agent for extensions or payment agreements.
Know the water vs sewer responsibility line
The City handles water main to curb box; customers handle curb box to house. Sewer lateral from house to sewer main is customer responsibility.
Lima Utilities Customer Service Center Map and Visit Planning
Use this map for the Utilities Customer Service Center at 424 N. Central Avenue. Confirm holiday closures or service alerts before visiting.
Customer Service Center
424 N. Central Avenue, Lima, OH 45801.
Lobby
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Drive-thru
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Drive-thru kiosk also listed as available 24/7.
Official Lima Water and Utility Links
City of Lima Water Department Bill Pay FAQs
How do I pay my City of Lima water bill online?
Use the official Lima Water Pay My Bill portal or start from the City of Lima Online Payments page. You need your customer number, account number and a valid email address.
What is the Lima Water Department phone number?
For billing and Customer Service, call 419-221-5252. For automated phone payment, call 855-973-1210 with your customer and account number ready.
Where is the Lima Utilities Customer Service Center?
The Utilities Customer Service Center is at 424 N. Central Avenue, Lima, OH 45801. Lobby hours are listed as 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday.
What do I need for online payment?
You need the 7-digit customer number and 6-digit account number from your utility bill, including leading zeros where needed. The online payment page also requires a valid email address.
What if my service is scheduled for turn-off?
The City’s Online Payments page says payment must be made at the Utility Customer Service Office located at 424 N. Central Avenue if utility service is scheduled for turn-off.
What should I do after paying a late Lima water bill online?
If you pay after the previous balance due date, the portal says you must call Customer Service at 419-221-5252 after payment to avoid disconnect or have service restored.
Can I put cash in the Lima water bill night box?
No. The City says the night box is located on the west side of the building and asks customers not to place cash in the night box.
How do I start Lima utility service?
Complete the Utility Service Contract / Water Service Agreement and submit it with a legible copy of your ID by fax to 419-221-5208, by email to billing@cityhall.lima.oh.us, or in person at 424 N. Central Avenue.
Who do I call for a sewer backup in Lima?
Call Utility Field Services at 419-221-5175 during business hours. After hours and weekends, call 419-222-9761.
Who maintains the water line to my house?
The City says it is responsible from the water main to the curb box, usually in the tree lawn. The customer is responsible from the curb box to inside the house.
Why did I get a bill if the house is vacant?
If water is on at the street, the City says you will still receive a minimum bill each month. If the home is vacant and monthly usage shows 0 or 1 unit, the customer may request refuse fee removal in writing.
Is WaterBillsPay.org the official City of Lima website?
No. This is an independent guide. Use the official City of Lima and Lima Water links for live payment, account status, rates, service requests, emergencies and current utility rules.
Pay Your Water Bill Safely, Fix High Bills, Avoid Shutoff, Start Service and Find Official Utility Links
Use this free USA water bill assistant before paying online, calling utility billing, setting up AutoPay, checking a high bill, requesting leak help, starting or stopping service, handling a past due account, or searching for the official city utility portal.
What water bill problem do you need to solve?
Choose your situation. The tool will suggest the safest route, what to prepare, and which official page or office to check first.
Open the official city, county, water authority or utility website first. Do not enter account details into a random sponsored payment page.
If the bill is unusually high, compare usage, billing days, meter read type, toilet leaks, irrigation, late fees and leak adjustment rules before paying blindly.
Safe Water Bill Payment Route
Choose how you want to pay. This helps users avoid wrong portals, posting delays and urgent shutoff mistakes.
AutoPay / Bank Draft Setup Helper
Use this before enrolling in recurring payments so the first draft, current balance and payment date do not surprise you.
High Water Bill Review
Compare your normal bill and usage with the current bill. This gives a practical path before requesting a high bill review.
Leak Adjustment Proof Checklist
Use this before asking for a leak adjustment, high bill review, sewer adjustment or payment plan.
Past Due, Shutoff Notice and Reconnect Helper
Use this if your bill is late, you received a shutoff notice, service is off, or you need a payment plan.
Start, Stop or Transfer Water Service
Use this before moving, closing an account, starting service, transferring service or requesting a final bill.
Water Bill Cost Estimate
Estimate a simple monthly bill from base charge, water usage, sewer, stormwater, trash, service fees and late charges. Official tiered rates may be different.
Bill Dispute and Meter Reading Checklist
Use this before calling billing support about a meter reading, duplicate payment, wrong address, missing payment, estimated bill, or incorrect charge.
Official Water Bill Portal and Phone Finder
Enter city/utility and state to create safe searches for official water bill pay, phone payment, guest pay, AutoPay, start service, leak adjustment, reconnect, assistance and this site’s guide.
Official portal safety
- Use official city, county, authority or utility websites first.
- Check service address before paying.
- Save confirmation number and screenshot.
- Call the utility for shutoff or reconnect situations.
Best sitewide placement
Place this tool after the first payment section or before FAQs. It turns every water bill article into a practical help page, not only a list of links.
Important note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Always confirm payment portals, fees, shutoff rules, assistance programs, account balance and reconnection steps with the official utility.