City of Lima Water Department – Pay Bill, Contact & Services Guide

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Lima Ohio Utility Billing Guide

Pay Your City of Lima Water Bill or Fix a Utility Account Issue Using the Correct Local Office

City of Lima utility customers should not use the New York City water links that were previously shown on this post. The correct Lima, Ohio utility billing office handles water, sewer and refuse accounts through the City of Lima Utilities Customer Service Division.

Use this guide to pay online, pay by phone, find your customer and account numbers, start service, set up automatic withdrawal, handle a late or turn-off risk, or call the correct utility emergency number.

Pay Online Call Customer Service Pay by Phone Start Service
Important Lima-specific warning: If your utility service is scheduled for turn-off, the City says payment must be made at the Utility Customer Service Office at 424 N. Central Avenue. The online payment portal also warns that if you pay after the previous balance due date, you must call Customer Service at 419-221-5252 after payment to avoid disconnection or have service restored.
Customer Service 419-221-5252 Billing, account questions, service sign-in and account closing.
Pay by Phone 855-973-1210 Have your customer and account number ready.
Office Address 424 N Central Avenue Lima, OH 45801.
Lobby Hours Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Drive-thru kiosk is listed as available 24/7.

Choose the Lima Utility Task You Need

City of Lima water bill searches usually come from one of six problems. Pick the path that matches your situation before you pay or call.

I need to pay now Use the official online portal, phone payment or customer service office. Payment steps
I am past due Paying online may not be enough. Call after payment if you are past the previous balance due date. Late bill steps
I need new service Complete the water service contract and submit it with ID. Start service
I want automatic withdrawal Use the City’s automatic withdrawal option or sign up through the customer portal. Auto withdrawal
I have a sewer backup Call Utility Field Service or the after-hours number from the City FAQ. Emergency contacts
My bill is high Check usage, meter reading, leaks, sewer/refuse charges and payment history. High bill checklist

How to Pay Your City of Lima Utility Bill Online

The City of Lima’s Utilities Customer Service Portal is the official online option for utility bill payment. The City says the portal works with Paymentus and allows customers to pay with credit cards carrying Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express logos. E-checks are also accepted online.

  1. Open the official online payment page.
    Start here: City of Lima Online Payments.
  2. Have your customer number and account number ready.
    Lima’s payment portal asks for both. The customer number is 7 digits, and you should include leading zeros if your bill shows them.
  3. Use a valid email address.
    The City says a valid email address is required for online payments.
  4. Review water, sewer and refuse charges.
    Lima bills for water, sewer and refuse, so check each part before assuming only water usage changed.
  5. Save your confirmation.
    Keep the receipt, confirmation number or screenshot until the payment posts to your utility account.
Payment safety note: The Customer Service office is listed by the City as the only authorized payment center to accept water utility payments. Avoid third-party payment pages that are not clearly linked from the City.

City of Lima Utility Payment Options

Choose the payment method based on how urgent your situation is. Normal bills can usually be paid online or by phone. Turn-off risk should be handled through the Utility Customer Service Office and confirmed by phone.

Payment method
Official detail
Best practical use
Online payment
City online payment page
Normal bills when you have your customer number, account number and email address.
Quick Pay portal
Lima Water Pay My Bill
Fast portal payment using customer and account numbers from your bill.
Pay by phone
855-973-1210
Phone payment when you have customer and account numbers ready.
In person
424 N Central Avenue, Lima, OH 45801
Turn-off risk, account confusion, payment posting issue, or cash/check/card payment at the office.
Night box
Located on the west side of the building
Non-urgent after-hours payment. The City asks customers not to place cash in the night box.
Automatic withdrawal
Automatic bank draft option available
Long-term customers who want the bill drafted from a bank account each month on the due date.

Past-Due Bill or Turn-Off Risk: What Lima Customers Should Do

Lima has a very important payment warning that should not be hidden. If you are paying after the previous balance due date, the City’s payment portal says you must call Customer Service after payment. If your utility service is already scheduled for turn-off, the City says payment must be made at the Utility Customer Service Office.

Urgent action: If you are past due, call 419-221-5252 after payment. If you are scheduled for turn-off, go to the Utility Customer Service Office at 424 N. Central Avenue.
  1. Check whether you are past the previous balance due date.
    Look at the bill, prior balance line and any notice language before paying.
  2. Confirm the current amount due.
    Late fees, prior balances or account changes may make an old bill amount incomplete.
  3. Use the safest payment path.
    For turn-off risk, follow the City’s instruction and handle payment at the Utility Customer Service Office.
  4. Call after payment if required.
    If you paid after the previous balance due date, call Customer Service so the payment can be recognized for disconnection/restoration purposes.
  5. Save proof.
    Keep your receipt, confirmation number and notes from any call with the office.

Start New Utility Service in Lima Ohio

To sign in for service, the City says a Water Service Agreement must be completed along with a valid picture ID. The Lima Water portal also says customers can fax or email the contract with a legible copy of ID, or bring the contract into the office.

  1. Open the official start service page.
    Use the Lima Water portal here: Start New Service.
  2. Download or prepare the Utility Service Contract.
    The portal provides the contract customers need for service setup.
  3. Attach a legible copy of your ID.
    The City asks for the contract and a legible copy of ID when submitting by fax or email.
  4. Submit by email, fax or in person.
    The official portal lists email billing@cityhall.lima.oh.us and fax 419-221-5208, or you can bring the contract to the office.
  5. Allow business time for processing.
    The start service page asks customers to allow 24 business hours for the request to be completed.
Move-in tip: Submit the request before your move date. On the service initiation date, the City says a meter reader obtains readings from which billing history will start.

Automatic Withdrawal for Lima Utility Bills

If you plan to stay at the same service address, automatic withdrawal can reduce missed payments. The City says customers can have their bill automatically drafted from their bank account each month on the due date.

Step
What to do
Practical caution
1. Choose setup method
Fill out the Application for Automatic Withdrawal or sign up through the Customer Service Portal.
Use current account and bank details only.
2. Verify due date behavior
The City says the bill is drafted each month on the due date.
Keep enough funds available before the due date.
3. Watch the first draft
Confirm the first automatic payment works before assuming it is active.
Continue monitoring your bill and bank account.
4. Update changes quickly
If your bank account changes, contact Customer Service before the next bill.
A failed draft can create late-payment problems.

Lima Water Turn-Off, Sewer Backup and Field Service Contacts

Some problems should not go through the billing office first. The official service FAQ lists Utility Field Service contacts for sewer backups and emergency water turn-off.

Problem
Official contact
What to do first
Emergency water turn-off
Utility Field Service: 419-221-5175 during business hours; 419-222-9761 after hours/weekends.
Call immediately if water needs to be shut off to prevent damage.
Sewer backing up in basement
Same Field Service contacts from the City FAQ.
Stop using drains and call before hiring a plumber if you need the City sewer checked.
Drains not working properly
Request Utility Field Services to check City sewers.
The FAQ says many issues may be on the property owner’s line, but City sewers can be checked first.
Billing question or account issue
419-221-5252
Use Customer Service for bill, payment, usage and account questions.
Responsibility note: The City FAQ says the City is responsible for the service line from the water main to the curb box, while the customer is responsible from the curb box to inside the house. It also says the customer is responsible for the sewer lateral from the house to the sewer main.

High City of Lima Utility Bill Checklist

Lima utility bills may include water, sewer and refuse. A higher bill may come from usage, sewer charges, a previous unpaid balance, an estimated/actual reading change, a leak, or a refused/missed payment. Check the bill sections before calling.

Water usage Compare current usage with your previous bill and the bill’s usage graph if available.
Sewer charges The City FAQ explains sewer can cost more because wastewater treatment is expensive and involved.
Previous charges Check whether an unpaid prior balance was added to the current bill.
Running toilet A silent toilet leak can increase water usage quickly.
Service line leak Check for wet ground, low pressure, crawlspace leaks or unexplained meter movement.
Refuse charges Do not assume the full increase is water usage until you review every line item.

Have this ready before calling Lima Customer Service

  • Customer number and account number.
  • Current bill and previous bill.
  • Service address and account holder name.
  • Payment confirmation if you recently paid.
  • Photos, repair receipt or plumber invoice if you found a leak.
  • Notes about guests, tenants, outdoor watering, appliance changes or vacant-property usage.

How to Read Your Lima Utility Bill

Lima’s sample billing statement explains that your bill includes several important parts: customer number, account number, service address, bill date, meter information, previous charges, current charges, total amount due, usage graph and message center.

Bill area
Why it matters
What to check
Customer number
Needed for portal registration and payment.
Use the 7-digit number and include leading zeros.
Account number
Connects the bill to the property/service address.
Make sure you are paying the correct property.
Meter information
Shows readings and usage.
Look for actual/estimated reading and unusual usage changes.
Previous charges
Shows unpaid amount from prior bills.
A prior balance can make the current bill look higher.
Message center
Contains important notices and information.
Read this area before calling or ignoring a notice.

Official City of Lima Utility Links and Contacts

Use these official resources for payment, start service, account questions, rates, service FAQs and emergencies.

Online Payments

Official City page explaining the Utilities Customer Service Portal and Paymentus online payments.

Open online payments
Pay My Bill Portal

Official Lima Water pay page using customer number and account number.

Open pay portal
Customer Services

Billing office details, payment methods, automatic withdrawal, contact numbers and office address.

Open customer services
Start New Service

Start water service and submit contract/ID by email, fax or in person.

Open start service
Utilities Department

Official overview of Lima’s drinking water, wastewater and refuse services.

Open utilities page
Service FAQs

Emergency water turn-off, sewer backup, service line responsibility and common utility questions.

Open FAQs

Map to City of Lima Utilities Customer Service

The Utilities Customer Service office is listed at 424 N Central Avenue, Lima, OH 45801. Use this location for in-person utility payments, turn-off risk payments, account support, service sign-in and account closing help.

City of Lima Water Department FAQs

How do I pay my City of Lima water bill online?

Use the official City of Lima Online Payments page or the Lima Water Pay My Bill portal. You need your customer number, account number and a valid email address.

What is the Lima utility customer service phone number?

Call 419-221-5252 for utility billing, water account, payment, usage, service sign-in or account closing questions.

What is the City of Lima pay-by-phone number?

The City lists pay by phone at 855-973-1210. You must have your customer and account number.

Where is the Lima Utilities Customer Service office?

The office is located at 424 N Central Avenue, Lima, OH 45801. The official page lists lobby hours as Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

What does the City of Lima utility bill include?

The City says the Utilities Customer Service Division bills for water, sewer and refuse.

What should I do if my Lima utility service is scheduled for turn-off?

The City says if your utility service is scheduled for turn-off, payment needs to be made at the Utility Customer Service Office at 424 N. Central Avenue. If you pay after the previous balance due date, call Customer Service at 419-221-5252 after payment.

How do I start water service in Lima Ohio?

Use the Lima Water Start New Service page. Submit the Utility Service Contract with a legible copy of ID by fax, email or in person. The portal asks customers to allow 24 business hours for completion.

Who do I call for emergency water turn-off in Lima?

The Lima Water FAQ says to call Utility Field Service at 419-221-5175 during business hours, or 419-222-9761 after hours and weekends.

Who do I call for a sewer backup in Lima?

The official FAQ lists Utility Field Service at 419-221-5175 during business hours and 419-222-9761 after hours and weekends for sewer backups.

Can I set up automatic withdrawal for my Lima utility bill?

Yes. The City says customers can fill out the Application for Automatic Withdrawal or sign up through the Customer Service Portal to have the bill drafted from a bank account each month on the due date.

Why is my Lima sewer charge higher than my water charge?

The City FAQ explains that treating wastewater is expensive and involved, and sewer revenue is used for treatment and maintaining the collection system.

Is WaterBillGuide.us the official City of Lima Utilities website?

No. WaterBillGuide.us is an independent informational guide. It does not process payments, access utility accounts, restore service, approve arrangements or represent the City of Lima.

Best Next Step for Lima Utility Customers

If your bill is normal, use the official Lima online payment portal or pay by phone with your customer and account number. If you are past due, scheduled for turn-off or paying after the previous balance due date, follow the City’s warning and contact Customer Service after payment.

Pay Online Call Customer Service Pay by Phone Start Service

Editorial Review and Independent Guide Disclaimer

This replacement article was written specifically for City of Lima, Ohio utility customers. It corrects the old post’s incorrect New York City water information and focuses on official Lima utility payment, customer service, start service, automatic withdrawal, turn-off risk and emergency field service resources.

WaterBillGuide.us is not the City of Lima. We do not process payments, access accounts, restore service, approve payment arrangements, start utility service or dispatch emergency crews. For account-specific help, use the official City of Lima contacts and links listed above.

Official resources checked include the City of Lima Online Payments page, Customer Services page, Utilities Department page, Lima Water Pay My Bill portal, Start New Service page, Service FAQs and billing statement guide.

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.

Find official payment pages safely
Prepare before late fees or shutoff
Check high bill and leak causes
Useful on every city water guide

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.

Safety tip: Use the official city, county, or utility website when paying a water bill. Do not enter card or bank details on a page that only looks like a payment portal but does not clearly identify the official utility.

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.

Important: Some official utilities use third-party processors. That can be normal, but the payment processor should be linked from the official utility website and show clear fee/payment details.

Late Bill, Shutoff Notice & Reconnection Action Plan

Select your situation and get practical next steps. This helps users act quickly without guessing.

Do not wait: If you received a shutoff notice, online payment alone may not stop disconnection. Call the utility billing office and save your confirmation number.

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.

Quick leak test Turn off all water, then check whether the meter still moves.
Toilet check Put food coloring in tank. If color reaches bowl without flushing, there may be a leak.
Ask utility Request usage history, meter reread, leak adjustment policy, and payment arrangement options.

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

Move-out tip: Ask for a final meter read, final bill date, refund/deposit process, and confirmation number when stopping service.

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.

Helpful document list: Keep your account number, photo ID, service address, bill copy, shutoff notice, income proof if needed, repair receipt if leak-related, and payment confirmation numbers.

Water Department Call Script Generator

Generate a clear call or email script before contacting the utility billing office.