South Milwaukee Water Utility Help: Pay, Log In, Call, Check a Leak or Request a Final Bill
Use this page as a practical customer guide for South Milwaukee Water Utility customers. It covers the official Our Community Connect portal, online payment fees, phone number, mailing address, City Hall and bank payment routes, tri-annual billing cycles, due dates, leak checks, one-time bill adjustment policy, sewer rates, water quality reports, PFAS information and lead service line replacement updates.
South Milwaukee bills water and sewer together on a four-month cycle, so the bill may look larger than a nearby city’s monthly or bi-monthly bill. Before paying or disputing, check the billing cycle, usage period, account number, current charges and whether a leak may be running between bills.
Quick Answer: South Milwaukee Water Utility Contacts
Need |
Use this official route |
Have ready |
Do not miss |
|---|---|---|---|
Pay online / create login |
Email, strong password, most recent bill, customer number and total current charges. |
Use total current charges from the latest bill when linking the account; the City says using last name may not work in most cases. |
|
Billing question / leak-history check |
Account number, address, bill, usage concern, meter reading if available. |
The Water Utility can view automated meter history and tell you how much usage has occurred since the last bill. |
|
Mail payment |
South Milwaukee Water Utility, P.O. Box 130, South Milwaukee, WI 53172. |
Payment stub, full account number, check. |
Make checks payable to South Milwaukee Water Utility. |
Pay in person at City Hall |
South Milwaukee Treasurer’s Office, 2424 15th Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI 53172. |
Bill and cash or check. |
City lists in-person Treasurer’s Office payments as cash or check only; hours shown are 7:30 AM-4:00 PM. |
Pay at Tri-City National Bank |
Tri-City National Bank, 2115 10th Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI 53172. |
Your bill is required. |
Lobby and drive-through hours differ; bring the actual water bill. |
After-hours drop box |
24-hour depository box along City Hall wall facing 15th Avenue, just north of the main doors. |
Check and account number / bill stub. |
A drop-box payment is not the same as real-time portal posting; call if a deadline is close. |
Due-date rule: South Milwaukee water/sewer bills are due by the 20th of the billing month. If the 20th falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday when City Hall is closed, payment is considered timely if paid the following business day.
Official South Milwaukee Water Utility Info Box
Water Utility
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 130
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
Phone: 414-768-8070
Fax: 414-768-8074
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-3:30 PM.
Utility mission
The Water Utility describes its mission as providing a continuous supply of safe, potable drinking water for life and industry in the City of South Milwaukee, while meeting or exceeding local, state and federal requirements.
City Hall / Treasurer
Address:
2424 15th Avenue
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
City phone: 414-762-2222
Use the Treasurer’s Office for in-person cash/check water-sewer bill payments.
Route |
Official detail |
Use for |
Before contacting |
|---|---|---|---|
Water Utility office |
414-768-8070; P.O. Box 130; Mon-Fri 7:00 AM-3:30 PM. |
Account questions, leak-history review, high bills, final bill request, lead service line, water quality, meter concerns. |
Prepare account number, service address and a copy of the bill. |
Our Community Connect |
Customer portal for utility payment, bill viewing, balance due, paperless bills, auto-pay and text notifications. |
Online bill pay and account management. |
Use customer number plus total current charges from latest bill. |
City Treasurer’s Office |
2424 15th Avenue; in-person cash/check payments; hours 7:30 AM-4:00 PM. |
Cash/check payment and dye-tablet pickup for toilet leak tests. |
Bring the bill or account number. |
Tri-City National Bank |
2115 10th Avenue; bill required. |
In-person payment at the listed bank branch. |
Lobby: Mon-Fri 9 AM-5 PM, Sat 9 AM-noon. Drive-through: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-5:30 PM, Sat 8:30 AM-noon. |
Water Utility staff listing |
Ben Huffman, Superintendent; Jon Ellis, Facilities Manager; Jena Kohlman, Office Manager. |
Department routing and water/sewer account support. |
Use the main Water Utility phone unless a page gives a specific program contact. |
Lead-service-line program contact |
414-304-8739 or WaterUtilityDept@smwi.org. |
Lead service line replacement schedule, funding, property-owner notice, contractor questions. |
Have address, owner name, census tract if known and any notice received. |
Pay or Log In: Exact South Milwaukee Water Bill Steps
Open the official Our Community Connect portal
Go to Our Community Connect from the City’s Water Utility or Online Payments page. Avoid ad results or non-city payment pages.
Create the account with bill details
Click “Create your account,” enter your email, create a strong password, confirm the password, add a cell phone number only if you want text notifications, then register and verify your email quickly because the verification email expires.
Link the utility account correctly
Enter your customer number and the total current charges shown on your most recent bill. If the page offers last-name matching, the City says that option will not work in most cases, so use total current charges instead.
Choose payment method and review the fee
Checking/savings payments are listed with a $1.50 fee. Credit/debit card payments are listed at 2.5% per transaction. Cards listed include MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express.
Save proof and check the billing cycle
Save the confirmation number, date, amount, payment method and account number. South Milwaukee bills tri-annually, so each bill covers about four months rather than one or two months.
Payment route |
Official detail |
Best for |
Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Community Connect |
Pay utility bills, view bills/balance, sign up for paperless billing, auto-pay and text notices. |
Convenience fees are added to amounts owed. |
|
Checking/savings in portal |
$1.50 fee listed. |
Lower-fee online payment option. |
Confirm routing/account numbers before submitting. |
Credit/debit card in portal |
2.5% per transaction listed; MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express listed. |
Online card payment. |
Fee is based on the payment total. |
Mail |
South Milwaukee Water Utility, P.O. Box 130, South Milwaukee, WI 53172. |
Routine check payment. |
Set up several days ahead if using bank bill pay because the bank may mail a paper check. |
Personal bank bill pay |
Add “South Milwaukee Water Utility” as payee, include mailing address, full account number and address if space allows. |
Customer-initiated bank bill-pay check. |
It does not automatically send future payments unless your bank setup does that separately. |
Treasurer’s Office |
2424 15th Avenue; cash/check only; hours 7:30 AM-4:00 PM. |
In-person payment and direct City Hall payment support. |
Bring bill/account number. |
Tri-City National Bank |
2115 10th Avenue; must have bill to pay. |
In-person bank payment route. |
Cannot pay there without the bill. |
24-hour depository box |
City Hall wall facing 15th Avenue, just north of main doors. |
After-hours payment drop-off. |
Use account number/bill stub and allow processing time. |
Official payment links:
Billing Cycles, Due Dates and Why the Bill Looks Larger
Tri-annual bills
South Milwaukee Water Utility issues water and sewer bills tri-annually. Each bill covers about four months of service.
Due by the 20th
Payment is due by the 20th of the billing month. If City Hall is closed because the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, the following business day is timely.
Usage unit
South Milwaukee bills usage per 100 cubic feet. The City explains that one unit equals 748 gallons of water.
Cycle code |
Billing months |
What to do |
|---|---|---|
Cycle Code 1 |
January, May and September |
Watch for a four-month bill in those months and pay by the 20th. |
Cycle Code 2 |
April, August and December |
Compare usage against the prior four-month cycle, not a monthly bill. |
Cycle Code 3 |
March, July and November |
Check summer bills carefully for irrigation, hose or leak-related increases. |
Cycle Code 4 |
February, June and October |
Use the account portal for balance due and bill history. |
Buyer/tenant tip: the City explains that a water/sewer bill stays with the property. If ownership or occupancy changes mid-cycle, the dates on the next bill do not change automatically. Request a final bill or prorate at closing/rental turnover so the right person pays the right portion.
High Bill or Leak: South Milwaukee Meter Checks
Meter dial test
When no water is being used, the small round dial on the meter should not spin. If it moves, the City says that indicates a leak.
30-minute check
For a small leak, mark where the dial is pointing, wait 30 minutes with no water use, then check whether it moved.
Toilet leaks
The City says toilets are the most common leak homeowners find, and you may not hear a silent toilet leak.
Free dye tablets
Ask the South Milwaukee Treasurer’s Office for free dye tablets. If blue dye appears in the toilet bowl, there is a leak.
Check |
What to look for |
Proof to collect |
Ask the Water Utility |
|---|---|---|---|
Meter dial |
Round dial spins while no one is using water. |
Photo/video of dial and time of no-use test. |
“Can you check automated meter history since my last bill?” |
Meter numbers |
Numbers advance during a no-use period. |
Before/after meter photos after 30 minutes. |
“How much usage has occurred since the last bill?” |
Toilet dye test |
Blue dye from tank appears in bowl without flushing. |
Dye-test photo, flapper/repair receipt. |
“Can a leak-related adjustment request be reviewed?” |
Toilet not used often |
Basement or spare toilet with water left on. |
Photo and repair/shutoff note. |
“Could this create continuous usage?” |
Dripping faucet |
Continuous drip at sink, tub, shower or laundry. |
Repair receipt and date fixed. |
“Should I submit documentation for the Commission?” |
Outdoor spigot / hose |
Broken/cracked spigot, hose leak or forgotten water source left on. |
Photo, repair invoice, timeline. |
“Does this qualify or is it considered carelessness/owner negligence?” |
Aprilaire / furnace humidifier |
Humidifier water feed running longer than expected. |
HVAC repair note or plumber invoice. |
“Can this be considered for review?” |
Hidden pipe or sprinkler leak |
Cracks behind walls/cabinets or underground sprinkler system leak. |
Photos, contractor invoice, exact repair date. |
“What does the one-time adjustment policy require?” |
Official leak and adjustment links:
One-Time Adjustment Policy: What Usually Helps or Hurts
Commission review
The Water/Wastewater Commission can review requests for a one-time adjustment when an unusually high water/sewer bill is caused by an undetected leak.
Proof matters
Bring repair documentation, meter readings, photos, dates and a clear timeline showing when the leak was found and fixed.
Not every high bill qualifies
The policy says higher bills due to carelessness, owner negligence, rate increases, pool filling and irrigation are not considered for adjustment.
Cause |
Adjustment outlook |
What to submit |
|---|---|---|
Hidden plumbing leak found and repaired |
May be reviewed as a one-time adjustment request. |
Plumber invoice, repair date, photos and usage comparison. |
Equipment breakdown |
May be considered depending on circumstances. |
Repair invoice, technician explanation and timeline. |
Malicious vandalism |
May be considered depending on circumstances. |
Police report if available, photos, repair proof. |
Pool filling |
Policy says not considered for adjustment. |
Still document if you are asking for explanation, but expect denial. |
Irrigation or sprinkler use |
Policy says not considered for adjustment. |
Check timer and usage to avoid next-cycle charges. |
Rate increase |
Policy says not considered for adjustment. |
Compare old and current rate tables instead. |
Road work / utility work in front of home |
City FAQ says water used or lost before crossing your meter does not affect your bill. |
Ask whether your meter registered usage during the period. |
“Faulty meter” claim |
City FAQ says a failing meter slows tracking rather than speeds it up. |
Focus on leak evidence and meter-history review. |
Strongest adjustment packet: current bill, three-year average if available, date leak discovered, date repaired, plumber/parts receipt, photos, meter readings, and a short written explanation. Ask the Water Utility how to get the request placed before the Water/Wastewater Commission.
2026 Sewer Rates, Water Units and Bill Reading
2026 sewer rate change
Effective February 1, 2026, the sewer user rate is listed as $6.69 per 100 cubic feet of water used.
Fixed meter fee
The 2026 sewer fixed meter fee for a 5/8-inch meter, which the City says most homes have, is listed as $37.90.
100 cubic feet = 748 gallons
The City’s rate page and FAQ both remind customers that 100 cubic feet of water equals 748 gallons.
2026 sewer item |
New rate effective 2/1/2026 |
How to use it |
|---|---|---|
5/8-inch fixed meter fee |
$37.90 |
Most homes have this size; verify your bill if unsure. |
3/4-inch fixed meter fee |
$45.88 |
Check if the property has a larger meter. |
1-inch fixed meter fee |
$63.83 |
Common for some larger residential/commercial setups. |
1 1/2-inch fixed meter fee |
$105.72 |
Larger meter size means larger fixed charge. |
2-inch fixed meter fee |
$157.57 |
Usually commercial or larger service. |
Sewer user fee |
$6.69 per 100 cubic feet of water used |
Multiply billed units by $6.69 for sewer usage portion. |
Sample calculation listed by City |
5/8-inch meter $37.90 + 1,500 cubic feet usage, 15 x $6.69 = $100.35, total $138.25. |
Use this to understand why a four-month bill can look high. |
Official rate links:
Moving, Selling, Renting or Requesting a Final Bill
Buyer / seller
- Water/sewer bills stay with the property.
- Prorate unpaid water bill at closing.
- Ask for a final bill if a clean cutoff is needed.
- Keep closing statement showing seller credit.
- Confirm next full bill may include dates before purchase.
Tenant / landlord
- Request final bill for move-out date if needed.
- Tenant/owner can pay toward account so credit applies to next full bill.
- Remember bill usage dates do not change automatically.
- Document lease turnover date.
- Send forwarding information if needed.
Mailing address update
- Use the City’s request for mailing address change form if needed.
- Include parcel/service address and new mailing address.
- Keep confirmation.
- Check portal after update.
- Do not assume a real-estate closing automatically updates utility mailing records.
Why this matters: because South Milwaukee bills every four months, the next printed bill can include service dates before a buyer moved in or after a tenant moved out. A final bill request or closing prorate avoids confusion.
Water Quality, PFAS, Lead Service Lines and Infrastructure Projects
Annual water reports
The City’s Annual Water Report page links annual consumer reports for tap-water quality, including recent reports such as 2024, 2023, 2022 and earlier reports.
PFAS context
The City says Lake Michigan is its drinking-water source and that very low PFAS/PFOA levels around 2 parts per trillion have been detected. The City also says Wisconsin DNR suspended PFAS/PFOA testing for the utility because levels were well below current state drinking-water standards.
Lead service lines
The City reported 1,792 known lead service lines in South Milwaukee, with 2025 and 2026 replacement work scheduled by census tract and project area.
Topic |
Official detail |
What users should do |
|---|---|---|
Annual tap-water quality |
Annual Consumer Report: Quality of Tap Water PDFs are linked by year. |
Open the newest report first and use older years only for comparison. |
PFAS / PFOA |
City PFAS page says levels around 2 ppt were detected and DNR suspended testing while levels remain well below current state standards. |
Use City PFAS page, Wisconsin DNR PFAS handout and EPA PFAS updates for context. |
Lead service replacement contact |
414-304-8739 or WaterUtilityDept@smwi.org. |
Ask whether your address is in a scheduled census tract or replacement phase. |
2025 lead replacement funding |
The City says up to $11,450,320 in loans/grants was awarded for 2025 lead service line replacements. |
Watch for mailed notice and contractor coordination if your line is known lead. |
2026 lead replacement schedule |
Remaining lead service lines in census tracts 1701, 1703 and 1707 are scheduled to be replaced in 2026. |
Confirm address in the inventory and call the program contact if unclear. |
45-day notice |
Property owners with lead service lines will be notified at least 45 days before scheduled replacement. |
Do not ignore the notice; replacement coordination may be required. |
Public vs private side |
The Utility owns the service line from water main to curb stop box; property owner is responsible from curb stop box to house. |
Ask whether grant or special-assessment financing is available for your portion. |
Infrastructure projects |
2025 work includes lead service line replacement and a transmission line replacement project through Grant Park/Michigan Avenue area. |
Call the Water Utility if construction affects pressure, discolored water or access. |
Official water quality and lead links:
Discolored or Cloudy Water: What to Do First
After repair or flushing
If water was turned off for repair or hydrants were flushed nearby, pressure changes can temporarily disturb the system.
Flush from low to high
The City advises opening the cold water tap at the lowest point in the home first until water is clear and at full pressure, then moving upward through the home.
Galvanized pipes
Temporarily discolored water can also come from galvanized pipes in a home, especially if pipes have not been used regularly.
Symptom |
Likely first step |
Call if |
|---|---|---|
Brown/rusty water after nearby work |
Run cold water from lowest tap until clear, then move upward through home. |
It does not clear, pressure remains low or multiple homes are affected. |
Cloudy water |
Run cold water and observe whether cloudiness clears from bottom upward in a glass. |
It has odor, particles, recurring discoloration or health concern. |
Only hot water affected |
Check water heater and hot-water plumbing. |
Cold water is also affected or there is a utility-side concern. |
Galvanized pipe suspicion |
Flush unused lines and consider a plumber inspection. |
Discoloration is frequent or lead service line/plumbing material is unknown. |
Lead-service-line concern |
Check lead service line inventory and contact the Water Utility. |
You received a replacement notice or your address is listed as known/unknown lead. |
Map, City Hall Payment Counter, Water Utility Mail and Drop Box
Use City Hall for in-person Treasurer payments and the 24-hour depository box. Use the Water Utility mailing address for mailed water/sewer payments and account correspondence.
Location / address |
Use for |
Bring / remember |
|---|---|---|
South Milwaukee Treasurer’s Office, 2424 15th Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI 53172 |
In-person water/sewer bill payment by cash or check and free toilet dye tablets. |
Bill/account number; hours listed as 7:30 AM-4:00 PM for payments. |
24-hour depository box, City Hall wall facing 15th Avenue, north of main doors |
After-hours payment drop-off. |
Include bill stub/account number and allow processing time. |
Tri-City National Bank, 2115 10th Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI 53172 |
In-person bank payment route. |
Must have your water/sewer bill to pay at the bank. |
Mail: South Milwaukee Water Utility, P.O. Box 130, South Milwaukee, WI 53172 |
Routine mailed check payment and Water Utility correspondence. |
Make checks payable to South Milwaukee Water Utility. |
Water Utility phone: 414-768-8070 |
Billing questions, leak history, final bill request, water quality and program routing. |
Call Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-3:30 PM. |
South Milwaukee Water Utility FAQ
What is the South Milwaukee Water Utility phone number?
Call South Milwaukee Water Utility at 414-768-8070. The listed Water Utility hours are Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
How do I pay my South Milwaukee water/sewer bill online?
Use the official Our Community Connect portal. It lets customers pay utility bills, view bills and balance due, sign up for paperless bills, sign up for auto-pay and receive text notifications about the utility account.
What do I need to create an Our Community Connect account?
You need an email address, strong password, and then your customer number plus the total current charges from your most recent bill. The City says the last-name option usually will not work, so use total current charges.
What are the online payment fees?
The City lists a $1.50 fee for checking/savings payments and 2.5% per transaction for credit/debit card payments. MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express are listed.
How often does South Milwaukee bill water and sewer?
South Milwaukee Water Utility issues water and sewer bills tri-annually, so each bill covers about four months of service rather than a monthly or bi-monthly period.
When is the South Milwaukee water/sewer bill due?
Payment is due by the 20th of the billing month. If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday when City Hall is closed, payment is timely if paid the following business day.
Where can I pay in person?
You can pay at the South Milwaukee Treasurer’s Office, 2424 15th Avenue, by cash or check. The City also lists Tri-City National Bank at 2115 10th Avenue, but you must have your bill to pay at the bank.
What should I do if my South Milwaukee bill is high?
Check the meter dial while no water is being used, run a 30-minute no-use meter test, test toilets with dye tablets, check faucets, outdoor spigots, humidifiers, hidden pipes and sprinklers, then call 414-768-8070 to review meter history.
Can I get an adjustment for a leak?
The Water/Wastewater Commission can review one-time adjustment requests for unusual water/sewer bills caused by leaks, breakdowns or vandalism. The policy says carelessness, owner negligence, rate increases, pool filling and irrigation are not considered for adjustment.
Where can I find water quality, PFAS and lead service line information?
Use the City’s Annual Water Report page for tap-water reports, the PFAS Information page for PFAS/PFOA updates, and the Lead Service Line Replacement pages and inventory for lead service line status and replacement information.
30-Second South Milwaukee Water Utility Checklist
Paying? Use Our Community Connect, mail P.O. Box 130, pay City Hall Treasurer by cash/check, use Tri-City National Bank with your bill, or use the City Hall depository box.
Need help? Call 414-768-8070 during Water Utility hours, Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-3:30 PM.
Due date? Bills are due by the 20th of the billing month and are issued every four months.
High bill? Check the meter dial, do a 30-minute no-use test, test toilets with dye tablets and ask the Water Utility to review automated meter history.
Lead or water-quality concern? Check the annual report, PFAS page, lead-service-line inventory and replacement program contacts.
Editorial Team
WaterBillGuide.us
The content on WaterBillGuide.us is researched and prepared by our editorial team. Our writers and researchers review publicly available information from official utility websites and service portals to create clear, step-by-step informational guides.
Water Bill Payment, Leak & Utility Help Toolkit
Use this free helper to find the official water bill portal, avoid unsafe payment pages, handle late bills, troubleshoot high usage, prepare start/stop service documents, and contact the utility office with the right details.
Official Water Bill Portal Finder
Enter your city, state, and utility name. This tool creates safe search shortcuts for the official bill pay portal, customer service page, outage line, and start/stop service page.
Safe Water Bill Payment Checklist
Before paying online, use this checklist to reduce the risk of wrong payment, duplicate payment, missed receipt, or third-party confusion.
Late Bill, Shutoff Notice & Reconnection Action Plan
Select your situation and get practical next steps. This helps users act quickly without guessing.
High Water Bill & Leak Troubleshooter
A high bill can be caused by leaks, irrigation, estimated readings, seasonal use, or account/meter issues. Choose the closest problem below.
Start, Stop or Transfer Water Service Checklist
Moving in or out? Choose your situation and prepare the details most utilities commonly request.
Your preparation checklist
Payment Assistance & Arrangement Finder
If you cannot pay the full water bill, this guide helps you decide what to ask before disconnection or extra fees.
Water Department Call Script Generator
Generate a clear call or email script before contacting the utility billing office.