Water & Sewer Billing

The City of East Lansing provides water and sewer utilities for East Lansing residents.

Activating and Terminating Water Service

To start or stop water service, residents can call (517) 319-6890 or visit the Treasury Department window at East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbot Road.

Additionally, property owners may provide tenant information to the City of East Lansing by utilizing an Account Changeover Authorization form. Learn more

How to Pay

The City of East Lansing offers a number of convenient options for paying water and sewer bills. 

  • Pay in person by cash, check or credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Discover) during regular business hours at East Lansing City Hall Treasury Department window, 410 Abbot Road.
  • Pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Discover) by calling (517) 319-6890 or (517) 319-6896.
  • Drop a check or cash in in the blue Treasury drop box located in the north parking lot of East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbot Road.
  • Activate automatic bill payment (payments can be directly withdrawn from checking or savings accounts) by completing the Online Automatic Bill Payment Enrollment Form or the  Automatic Bill Payment Enrollment Form (PDF). The City requires a copy of a voided check for checking account withdrawals and a copy of your bank membership card for savings account withdrawals.
  • Pay online with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Discover). 

Late Payment

If payment on a late notice is not paid, a door tag will be placed on the property in the month following the original due date. Door tags are typically issued on the third Wednesday of the month following the original due date and, if a payment is not received by the following Monday after the door tag is issued, water will be shut off that Tuesday. The following fees apply: 

  • Door Tag Fee: $18
  • Turn-Off Penalty Fee: $50 (fee is assessed if payment has not been received by noon on the date indicated on the door tag)
  • Turn-on Fee: Free (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.) or $245 (Saturday, Sunday, holidays and outside normal work hours of 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
  • Out-of-sequence Meter Read: $25

Billing Cycles

The City is divided into three billing areas. Each of the areas is on a different billing cycle (see schedule below). Bills are mailed out quarterly on the first of the month and are due 20 days after the bill date. Outstanding balances are subject to a 5% late fee if payment in full is not received by the due date.

Section One

    • December: August - November
    • March: November - February
    • June: February - May
    • September: May - August

Section Two

    • January: September - December
    • April: December - March
    • July: March - June
    • October: June - September

Section Three

    • February: October - January
    • May: January - April
    • August: April - July
    • November: July - October
  • Pay Parking, Traffic or Misdemeanor Tickets Online. The person paying must be an authorized user of the credit card and have a state identification card or driver's license to confirm identity.
  • Pay in person by cash, check or credit card during regular business hours.
  • Pay by phone by calling Parking (517) 351-7022; Traffic (517) 351-4568; or  Misdemeanors (criminal cases) (517) 351-8630.
  • Drop a check or cash in one of the 24-hour drop boxes.
  • Mail a check or pay by credit card utilizing the Credit Card Authorization Form (PDF).
  • Pay Parking, Traffic or Misdemeanor Tickets Online. The person paying must be an authorized user of the credit card and have a state identification card or driver's license to confirm identity.
  • Pay in person by cash, check or credit card during regular business hours.
  • Pay by phone by calling Parking (517) 351-7022; Traffic (517) 351-4568; or  Misdemeanors (criminal cases) (517) 351-8630.
  • Drop a check or cash in one of the 24-hour drop boxes.
  • Mail a check or pay by credit card utilizing the Credit Card Authorization Form (PDF).

Average Bill Estimates (5/8" x 3/4" meter)

 Number of People
Number of T-gals
Amount
Zero Consumption
0
$74.55
1
6
$160.77
2
12
$246.99
3
18
$333.21
4
24
$419.43
5
30
$505.65
6
36
$591.87
7
42
$678.09
8
48
$764.31
9
54
$850.53
10
60
$936.75

The information above is based on 5/8 inch x 3/4 inch meter RTS fee and an average of six thousand gallons per person. 

Rates Effective 7/1/23 - 6/30/24

ChargeWaterSewerTotal
Billing Charge, per quarter$16.29$11.70$27.99
5/8" x 3/4"$10.84 $35.72 $46.56 
1"$27.10$89.30$116.40
1.5"$54.20$178.60$232.80
2"$86.72$285.76$372.48
3"$243.90$803.70$1,047.60
4"$542$1,786.00$2,328
6"$1,084$3,572$4,656
Commodity Charge per 1,000 Gallons$6.24$8.13$14.37

Typical Water Usage in the Home

Use of WaterAmount
Toilet3 gal/flush
Shower4 gal/minute
Tub / bath30 gal/fill
Dishwasher14 gal/load
Clothes washer50 gal/load
Garden hose360 gal/hour
Pool (14'x 28' / 5.5 feet deep)15,000 gal/fill


Common Causes of High Water Usage

Use of WaterAmount
Toilet (overflow tube leak)Up to 4,320 gal/day
Toilet (flush valve leak)Up to 4,320 gal/day
Faucet dripUp to 405 gal/day
Lawn / garden houseUp to 360 gal/hour