Water Billing and Late Payment Policies

As you may be aware, the Village of Riverwoods Utility Billing Department has undergone many changes recently. New water meters have been installed in all residences and businesses plus the Village transitioned to a new utility billing management system. The BS&A management system is proving to be a much needed improvement. Additionally, the Village has contracted with Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. (GHA) to process utility bills and answer resident inquiries. GHA has been handling the engineering side of the Village’s water and sewer needs for years, making the billing component a natural addition.

The changes have not been without obstacles.  To minimize the impact to our residents during the transition, the Village has not charged late fees or taken other measures for non-payment of bills.  Now that the new meters, new billing management system and a utility billing team are in place, late fees will be reinstated beginning March 31, 2023.

Below please find the Village of Riverwoods water billing policy as well as the late payment policy. Please reach out to the Village with any questions or concerns.

Village of Riverwoods: Water Billing Policy 

Water Billing Cycle

Riverwoods residential utility bills are sent out quarterly via the United States Postal Service and/or email (upon request). Payment is due by the date indicated on the bill which is typically the 1^st day of the following month.

Payments

Payment is accepted via cash, paper or electronic check, or credit card.  Automatic payments are not currently available.

• Cash: Drop off at Village Hall from 8:30 am - 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
• Paper Checks: Mail to Village Hall, drop off at Village Hall during open hours from 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Monday through Friday, or put in the vestibule drop box which is available 24/7. Electronic checks are accepted on our payment portal but there is a $1.50 per transaction fee.
• Credit Cards (3% fee/$2.00 minimum): In person, over the phone at 847-945-3990 or online at riverwoods.gov.

Meter Reading

Charges are based on electronic remote reading of usage from Village water meters.  If you have any questions concerning usage, please contact Robert Ullrich at rullrich@gha-engineers.com or 815-909-4901.

Moving In or Out

Seller: Notify Village Hall with the effective date, forwarding address and new owner information. A final water reading will be taken on the effective date provided and a final bill will be mailed to the forwarding address.

Buyer: Contact Village Hall to set up a new account by phone or online.

Village of Riverwoods: Late Payment Policy   (Village of Riverwoods Ordinance No. 23-01-01)

Late Fees

• A 10% service charge is assessed for any outstanding amount due past the utility bill due date each quarter.

Additional Penalties

• Failure to pay water usage charges in full for more than thirty (30) days following the billing date will result in a minimum $100.00 fine.  Each day the violation continues is a separate violation until the account is paid in full.
• The property owner is liable for unpaid water bills of the property’s tenants/occupants.
• The Village has a right to record a lien for unpaid water bills.

Water Shut Off / Fifteen (15) Day Notice

• If a water account or any portion of the charges remains unpaid for a period of four (4) months after the billing date the Village, after issuing a fifteen (15) day notice, may shut off water services.

Payment Plans

• Fines for late payments may be adjusted or deferred by the Village pursuant to a payment plan agreement.
• Resident requests for a payment plan for unpaid water bills will be granted at the discretion of the Village.
• If a voluntary payment plan agreement is reached between the resident and the Village, any forbearance may be canceled and fines reinstated if the payment plan agreement is not followed.
• Failure to adhere to the payment plan can result in water shut off with no waiting period.

Reinstatement of Water Services

• Before water service is restored to the property, the owner or occupant must pay in full the delinquent water service balance up to the restored date plus a service charge.
• Water service will be restored within twenty-four (24) hours after the full payment is made.