East Chicago Water Department: Pay Bill, Phone, Hours & Service Help
Trying to pay an East Chicago water bill, use the new Pay-by-Phone option, find the correct Water Department number, avoid late fees, mail a payment, use the drive-thru, request help before disconnection, check water usage in My Water Advisor, or report a water emergency? This guide pulls the useful official details into one scan-first page so East Chicago customers can act quickly without guessing which portal, phone number, payment location or department rule applies.
Choose the East Chicago Water Task You Actually Need
East Chicago Water Department Contacts That Matter
Use this table before calling. Payment, emergency, utility operations and city-general questions can route to different numbers.
| Need | Official detail | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Water Department main office | 219-391-8469 | Billing, payment, account, service and routine Water Department questions. |
| Water emergency | 219-391-8487 | Emergency water issue, possible main break, urgent water service problem. |
| Water Department email | ecwater@eastchicago.com | Written account/payment questions through the payment portal contact route. |
| Water Department address | 400 E. Chicago Ave., East Chicago, IN 46312 | Water bill office, portal-listed location, depository and payment reference. |
| Walk-in / drive-thru transaction hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:00 PM | In-person payment and business transactions. |
| Water Department contact hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM | Routine phone help and department contact. |
| Utility Operations | 5200 Indianapolis Blvd.; phone 219-391-8466 | Utility operations department reference, not the main billing counter. |
| Director listing | Winna Guzman, Director; Allan Lee, Director of Utilities | Staff-directory reference if escalation or department leadership is needed. |
How to Pay an East Chicago Water Bill Online
The official Payment Options page says customers can pay through the Water Bill Pay Portal using credit/debit or checking/savings account. It also says there is no additional charge to customers when payment is made by credit or debit.
Open the official Water Bill Pay Portal
Use the city-linked East Chicago Utility Billing portal.
Select Utility Billing
The official Payment Options page says customers must select Utility Billing after following the Water Bill Pay Portal link.
Use bill/account details exactly
Have your current water bill ready. The city asks customers to provide actual current water bills when making payments at the local office, and the same idea helps online: use the exact account details from the current bill.
Save confirmation
Keep the confirmation number, amount, date, account number and payment source until the portal or Water Department confirms the bill is paid.
East Chicago Water Department Pay-by-Phone
The Water Department announced that, effective February 13, 2026, customers can pay water bills through a Pay-by-Phone system. Call the main office number and select option 2.
Phone payment route
Call: 219-391-8469
Select: option 2 for Pay-by-Phone.
Before calling
Have account number, service address, amount due, payment method and callback number ready.
All East Chicago Water Bill Payment Options
East Chicago provides several payment routes. Choose the one that matches your urgency, proof needs and payment method.
| Payment route | Official detail | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-by-Phone | Call 219-391-8469 and select option 2. | Customers who want to pay without visiting the office. |
| Online portal | Pay by credit/debit or checking/savings through Water Bill Pay Portal; select Utility Billing. | Fast payment with online confirmation. |
| East Chicago Water Department, P.O. Box 423, East Chicago, IN 46312. | Non-urgent payment by check/money order with bill stub. | |
| Water Department office | Credit/debit cards accepted in person at Water Department office. | Customers needing counter help or immediate receipt. |
| Drive-thru | Drive-thru remains open during normal working hours. | In-person payment without entering lobby. |
| After-hours depository box | Checks and money orders only; located on east side of Water Department office below drive-up window. | After-hours non-cash payment with account/bill stub included. |
| First Merchants Bank | East Chicago Branch listed as payment option. | Local payment option when available; verify current acceptance before relying on it. |
| Strack & Van Til | East Chicago store listed as payment option. | Local store payment option; confirm details and receipt. |
East Chicago Water and Sewer Late Fees
The official Late Payments page separates water and sewer late fees. This matters because a customer may see more than one charge if the bill remains unpaid.
| Late-payment item | Official detail | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Water late fee | 3% late fee added to water charges if bill is not paid by due date. | Pay before the due date to avoid added water charge. |
| Sewer late fee | 10% late fee added to sewer charges if bill is not paid within 30 days of due date. | A bill can become more expensive after 30 days. |
| Delinquent notice | May be mailed if account is not paid in full and is at least 30 days past due. | Do not ignore notices; the notice can lead to disconnection deadline. |
| Avoid disconnection | Pay amount shown by due date or contact Water Department before due date if unable to pay full amount. | Call before the deadline, not after water is off. |
Payment Arrangement Rules Users Should Know
East Chicago’s Late Payments page lists the terms customers must follow when making a payment arrangement on a delinquent bill. The key user action is simple: contact the Water Department before the disconnection deadline.
Contact the Water Department before the due date on the delinquent notice
If you cannot pay the full amount, call before the deadline to ask about options.
Be ready for an initial payment term
The official page says the customer agrees to pay 1/10 or $10, whichever is less, of the delinquent bill.
Keep future bills current
The customer must pay all undisputed future bills for service as they become due.
Clear the delinquent balance within the allowed plan
The remaining delinquent balance, including penalties, must be paid monthly so the delinquency is satisfied within three months.
Opening a New East Chicago Water Account
The Water Department links a New Account Requirements document. Search snippets from the official document state that a contract is required when opening new accounts with the East Chicago Water Department. Because the PDF did not fully load in this environment, use this article as a preparation checklist and confirm final document requirements directly with the department.
| New-account item | What to prepare | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Contract | Ask for the current East Chicago Water Department new-account contract. | Official snippets state a contract is required for new accounts. |
| Current ID | Government-issued photo ID for account holder. | Most utility account openings require identity confirmation. |
| Service address | Exact East Chicago service address and move-in/start date. | Needed to identify meter and existing utility status. |
| Ownership/lease proof | Lease, closing/ownership document or authorization if asked. | Helps verify who can open the account. |
| Deposit / fees | Ask current deposit, turn-on or setup fees before visiting. | Fees can change and must be confirmed directly. |
My Water Advisor: Track Usage, Graphs and Leak Alerts
If your East Chicago meter has been replaced with a new Master Meter, the city says customers can use the My Water Advisor app to track and monitor water consumption.
| My Water Advisor feature | Official detail | How it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up details | User guide says enter account number, first name, last name on water bill, valid email and password. | Use your bill exactly to avoid account-match errors. |
| Consumption graphs | City page lists detailed consumption graphs; guide describes monthly, daily, hourly and yearly history. | Find unusual usage windows and possible leaks. |
| Leak alerts | Guide lists suspected leak alert when continuous 24-hour consumption is detected. | Catch running toilets or continuous leaks earlier. |
| Consumption above average | Guide lists alert when use is irregular compared to same period’s average previous year. | Spot seasonal or unexpected spikes. |
| Consumption while absent | Guide lists alerts for usage during an absence/holiday time period. | Useful if you are away and water still runs. |
Water Tapping Permit Fees for Contractors and New Service Work
The official tapping permit application provides useful contractor-facing details. This section is not for normal bill payment; it is for tapping the utility main, larger service work or contractor work requiring Water Department approval.
| Tapping item | Official detail | Contractor / owner action |
|---|---|---|
| Utility taps 3/4-inch or 1-inch line | $550 tapping fee required, payable in advance. | Confirm current fee and pay before work is scheduled. |
| All taps over 1 inch by Water Utility | Estimated by Water Utility; charge must be paid before tap is made. | Do not schedule trench/crew until estimate is approved. |
| Contractor tap approval | Proper approval must be given by Water Utility before tap can be made. | Get written approval before contractor touches distribution system. |
| 1-1/2 inch contractor tap fee | $125 | Pay in advance where applicable. |
| 2 inch contractor tap fee | $150 | Confirm current schedule before submission. |
| 3 inch contractor tap fee | $175 | Include tap size in application. |
| 4 inch contractor tap fee | $200 | Coordinate with Water Department. |
| 6 inch contractor tap fee | $225 | Confirm approval and inspection path. |
| 8 inch contractor tap fee | $250 | Prepare project name, location and start date. |
| 10 inch contractor tap fee | $275 | Ask if additional inspection/availability fees apply. |
| 12 inch contractor tap fee | $300 | Confirm final before bidding job. |
| Larger than 12 inch | $350 | Expect additional project-specific review. |
East Chicago Water Quality and Drinking Water Information
The Water Department page links Water Quality Report resources and notes that EPA regulations limit contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The page also links an important drinking-water notice about monitoring requirements.
Use water quality reports for…
Annual Consumer Confidence Report information, water-system data, contaminant testing context and public drinking-water reporting.
Use department contact for…
Current water concerns, service interruption, unusual taste/odor, discoloration, emergency water issues or monitoring-notice questions.
What to Say When Calling East Chicago Water Department
Use these scripts to get routed faster and avoid repeating your issue.
| Situation | Say this | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Online payment issue | “I paid through the East Chicago Utility Billing portal and need help confirming payment.” | Account number, confirmation number, amount, date, payment method. |
| Pay-by-phone issue | “I used or need to use Pay-by-Phone option 2 and want to confirm my payment/account status.” | Account number, phone number used, confirmation, amount due. |
| Delinquent notice | “I received a delinquent notice and need to discuss payment before the due date.” | Notice, account number, amount, due date, proposed payment amount. |
| Water emergency | “I’m reporting a water emergency at [address/cross street].” | Location, visible water, pressure/no-water details, hazard and callback number. |
| High bill / leak alert | “My usage is higher than normal or My Water Advisor shows possible leak usage.” | Bill, usage dates, app screenshot if possible, leak checks already done. |
| New account | “I need to open a new water account and want current new-account requirements.” | Service address, ID, lease/ownership document, move-in date, deposit question. |
| Tapping permit | “I need water tapping permit guidance for [project name/location] and tap size [size].” | Applicant/company information, project location, start date, tap size, contractor details. |
East Chicago Water Department Map and Visit Checklist
The payment portal and resource directory list the East Chicago Water Department at 400 E. Chicago Ave., East Chicago, IN 46312. Use this map for the water office, payment/depository and customer-service reference. Call first if you need a specific document or staff person.
East Chicago Water Department
Address: 400 E. Chicago Ave., East Chicago, IN 46312.
Phone: 219-391-8469.
Emergency: 219-391-8487.
Lobby / drive-thru: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM.
East Chicago Water Usage, Meter and Payment Video Resource
The official My Water Advisor page mentions an introductory video and links a customer guide. No stable direct YouTube embed ID is used here, so this section uses safe official resource buttons instead of a broken video iframe.
Visual Help for Usage Tracking and Leak Alerts
Use My Water Advisor resources for usage graphs, consumption forecasts and leak alerts. Use the Water Department phone number for account-specific questions.
Open Official Usage and Payment Resources
Helpful for customers with Master Meter replacement, high bills, leak alerts or online payment questions.
Official East Chicago Water Department Links
Water Department
Pay-by-Phone notice, lobby/drive-thru hours, department phone, emergency number, staff and related documents.
Open Water DepartmentPayment Options
Online portal, mail, in-person, Smartbill view-only route and local payment guidance.
Open Payment OptionsWater Bill Pay Portal
Municipal Online Payments portal for East Chicago utility billing payment.
Open Payment PortalLate Payments
Water/sewer late fees, delinquent notices, disconnection warnings and payment arrangement rules.
Open Late PaymentsMy Water Advisor
Usage monitoring, consumption forecast, detailed graphs and leak alerts for customers with new Master Meter.
Open My Water AdvisorWater Quality Report
Consumer water-quality report resources and drinking-water information.
Open Water QualityBulk Water Station
Bulk water station information and user guide resources for touch-screen access terminal.
Open Bulk Water InfoUtility Operations Directory
Utility operations address, phone, fax, Water Department contact and staff directory information.
Open DirectoryTapping Fee Permit
Application and tapping fee schedule for utility main tap work and contractor coordination.
Open Tapping PermitEast Chicago Water Department FAQs
How do I pay my East Chicago water bill online?
Use the official Water Bill Pay Portal and select Utility Billing after the portal opens. The official Payment Options page says online payment can be made by credit/debit or checking/savings.
What is the East Chicago Water Department phone number?
The Water Department phone number is 219-391-8469.
What is the East Chicago Water Department emergency number?
The emergency phone number listed for the Water Department is 219-391-8487.
How do I pay my East Chicago water bill by phone?
Call 219-391-8469 and select option 2 for the Pay-by-Phone system.
Where do I mail an East Chicago water bill payment?
Mail payment and bill stubs to East Chicago Water Department, P.O. Box 423, East Chicago, IN 46312.
What are East Chicago Water Department lobby and drive-thru hours?
The Water Department page says the walk-in lobby and drive-thru are open for business transactions Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Department contact hours are listed as Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Are credit or debit cards accepted for East Chicago water bills?
Yes. The Payment Options page says credit/debit cards are accepted in person at the Water Department office, and online payment by credit/debit is available through the Water Bill Pay Portal.
What late fees apply to East Chicago water and sewer bills?
The Late Payments page says a 3% late fee is added to water charges if not paid by the due date, and a 10% late fee is added to sewer charges if the bill is not paid within 30 days of the due date.
Can I make payment arrangements if I cannot pay my full East Chicago water bill?
The official Late Payments page says customers who cannot pay the entire amount must contact the Water Department before the delinquent notice due date to avoid disconnection, and it lists monthly arrangement rules for delinquent balances.
What is My Water Advisor?
My Water Advisor is an app/portal for customers whose meters have been replaced with a new Master Meter. It helps track consumption, view graphs and receive leak alerts.
Best Way to Handle an East Chicago Water Department Task
The official East Chicago pages already contain the details users need most: Pay-by-Phone, online Utility Billing portal, mail address, local payment options, lobby/drive-thru hours, late fees, payment-arrangement rules, emergency number, My Water Advisor usage tools and tapping permit fees. This article puts those details into one action-first layout so customers can pay, call, visit, avoid disconnection or solve usage issues faster.
Editorial note: This guide is informational and summarizes official City of East Chicago Water Department resources for easier public use. Payment portals, office hours, fees, account requirements, payment arrangement rules, emergency contacts, water quality reports and tapping fees can change. Confirm final requirements directly on official eastchicago.com or the official East Chicago Municipal Online Payments portal before paying, applying, visiting or relying on service timing.