Where to send your Pinellas County water payment
Pinellas County Utilities sends bills to property owners in unincorporated Pinellas County — the areas outside city limits. You can pay by mail, online, phone, or in person. The method you choose affects when the county records your payment and whether a late fee applies.
Mail payments to the address printed on your bill. Online and phone payments process the same day you submit them. In-person payments at the county office are recorded when ready. The due date is printed on your bill; payments received after that date incur a late charge, even if you mailed the check on time.
Key Takeaways
- Pinellas County Utilities bills property owners in unincorporated areas; if you live in a city like St. Petersburg or Clearwater, your city handles water billing.
- Online and phone payments process the same day; mail payments take several days to arrive and clear, so mail early if your due date is near.
- Late fees explore to payments received after the due date on your bill, regardless of when you mailed them.
- You can set up automatic payments through the county's online portal to avoid missing due dates.
- If your bill is unusually high, the county can investigate for leaks or meter errors before you pay.
Online payment through the county portal
The Pinellas County Utilities website has a customer portal where you can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account. You will need your account number, which appears on your bill. Create a login or pay as a guest without creating an account.
Online payments process when ready, and you receive a confirmation number. The county records the payment on the day you submit it, so paying online before 5 p.m. on your due date meets the important date. You can also set up automatic payments through the portal so the county withdraws the amount on a date you choose each month.
Phone payment to Pinellas County Utilities
Call Pinellas County Utilities to pay by phone using a debit card or credit card. The phone number is on your bill. Have your account number ready. Phone payments process the same day and are recorded when ready, so calling before the due date meets the important date.
Phone representatives can also answer questions about your bill, explain charges, or discuss payment arrangements if you cannot pay the full amount by the due date. If you believe your bill is wrong — for example, if water usage suddenly jumped — the county can investigate for leaks or meter problems before you pay.
Mail payment and timing
Write a check or money order, include your account number on the payment, and mail it to the address on your bill. Mail payments take several days to arrive and process. The county records the payment on the date it receives the check, not the date you mailed it.
If your due date is fewer than five business days away, mailing a check risks a late fee. Use online or phone payment instead. If you do mail a check, keep a copy of the envelope or a photo of the check for your records in case a question arises about when it arrived.
In-person payment at the county office
Pinellas County Utilities has an office where you can pay in person with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The location and hours are on your bill or the county website. In-person payments are recorded when ready, so paying before 5 p.m. on your due date meets the important date.
Paying in person is useful if you need to discuss your bill with a representative, ask about a payment plan, or report a problem with your meter or service. You receive a receipt on the spot.
Late fees and what happens if you miss the due date
Pinellas County Utilities charges a late fee if payment is not received by the due date printed on your bill. The fee amount is stated on your bill. Late fees are added to your next bill. If you miss the due date, contact the county when ready to discuss a payment plan or ask whether the late fee can be waived due to hardship.
If your account falls significantly behind, the county may shut off your water service. The county must give you written notice before disconnection and a chance to pay or arrange a plan. If service is shut off, you will owe a reconnection fee in addition to the unpaid balance and any late fees.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments remove the risk of missing a due date. Log into the Pinellas County Utilities customer portal and select the automatic payment option. You can choose the amount and the date each month. The county will withdraw the payment from your bank account or charge your card on the date you set.
You can change or stop automatic payments anytime through the portal. If you set automatic payments for the full bill amount, you will not receive a late fee as long as the payment goes through. If your bill amount changes month to month, you can set the automatic payment to cover the average or adjust it manually each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I live in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or another city in Pinellas County?
Cities within Pinellas County bill and collect water payments separately from the county. Contact your city's utilities department directly. The payment methods and due dates are different from Pinellas County Utilities.
Can I set up a payment plan if I cannot pay the full bill?
Yes. Contact Pinellas County Utilities by phone or in person to discuss a payment arrangement. The county may allow you to pay in installments over a set period. You must agree to the plan before your account is disconnected.
How do I know if my water bill is correct?
Compare your current usage to previous months on your bill. A sudden spike may indicate a leak. Call the county to request a meter investigation. The county can check whether the meter is working correctly and look for signs of a leak on your property.
What if I paid online but my payment does not show on my account?
Online payments process the same day. Check your confirmation number and the portal the next business day. If the payment still does not appear, call the county with your confirmation number. Keep the confirmation email or number for your records.
Can I pay someone else's water bill?
Yes, if you have the account number. Pay online, by phone, or in person using the account number. You do not need to be the account holder. The county records the payment against that account regardless of who submits it.