THE OFFICIAL TOWN OF WINDSOR NEWSLETTER
WINDSOR MATTERS MARCH 2021
Paying Your Windsor Water Utility Bill There are several ways that Windsor Water Utility customers can pay their water bill. “For years, our utility customers had the option of paying their water bills online, but at its peak we’ve really only had about 6 to 8 percent of residents using our online payment option,” says Administrative Services Director Jessica Humphries. “In 2021, we have tasked our utility staff to improve customers’ experience and one of our immediate priorities is to better educate residents about our different payment options.” Online Payments Residents can make online payments by visiting the town’s merchant transaction website at windsorcoutilities.merchanttransact.com. It’s a secure site that allows a onetime quick payment or residents can create a login and save payment information for future use. They can set up auto-pay and opt out of paper statements. Payments made through this site are immediately applied to the customer’s account and updated online by the next business day. Auto-Deduct Payments Avoid the hassle of writing a check each month by signing up for Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments. This allows the amount
charged for your utility use to be automatically deducted from your checking or savings account. When you sign up for this program, the amount is deducted on the 20th of every month. To sign up, residents complete a form and submit it with a voided check. Bank-Provided Bill Pay Service Some banks offer a bill pay service that ties directly to a person’s bank account, but this isn’t always a good option. “A lot of utility customers don’t realize that it can take a bank up to seven days to process a payment through this option,” says Humphries. “When you go this route, your bank has to create and mail a physical check and then the check goes through the mail, all of which takes time.” If an account is in danger of disconnection, Humphries says that it’s best to make a payment through Merchant Transact, bring the payment to Windsor Town Hall, or call Customer Service. Mail-in, Drop-Box, Telephone or In-Person Payments Customers can also make their payment using the drop-box located on the west side of Town Hall. Payments are collected weekdays at 5 p.m. and checks should be made
payable to the Town of Windsor. Residents should not use cash when making their payment by mail or using the drop box. Residents can also call Customer Service during business hours at 970674-2400 to pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Cash, check, money order, credit and debit cards are accepted at the Customer Service office inside Town Hall, at 301 Walnut Street. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
For more information about the Windsor Water Utility and bill pay services, visit windsorgov.com/Water.
TAKE THE PLEDGE APRIL 1-30
mywaterpledge.com
THE VALUE OF WATER There isn’t one starting point, but rather a variety of small choices that can be made every day to show that we value water. It can begin with turning off the faucet when brushing teeth or only running full loads in the dishwasher.
water-wise choices. Using reusable products such as water bottles, straws, grocery bags and food containers is not only environmentally friendly, but also reduces your water footprint.
Investing in low flow toilets and high efficiency washing machines, installing low flow shower heads, and checking If you’re not sure where to begin, for leaks all make a difference. It may consider taking the water pledge even lead to savings on your water bill. at mywaterpledge.com to help kickstart your efforts. The pledge is Small actions make a big difference, free and suggests small steps you can especially when we decide to make take to be more mindful of how you them together as a community. Thanks use water. Whether you realize it or for doing your part. not, you’re probably already making
Preparing for Drought Did you know that winter snowfall helps predict summer drought conditions? The best way to prepare for a drought is to start including water-wise practices into your daily life. Even when watering restrictions are not in place, all residents are asked to be mindful of their outdoor watering. Choosing drought tolerant plants, only watering during cool mornings and evenings and avoiding mowing lawns on the lowest setting are great water conservation choices that become even more important during a time of drought. For more outdoor water efficiency tips visit windsorgov.com/Efficiency.
COLORADO LANDSCAPE BASICS Are you looking to jumpstart your lawn and garden efforts this spring? Learn from the experts and get your questions answered in the Colorado Landscape Basics online series. Sponsored by Windsor’s Water and Sewer Board, this three-class series from Colorado State University Extension will cover Colorado lawn maintenance, tree care and waterwise landscape. Classes are pre-recorded and available to view online, with a live virtual Q&A on March 27.
For more information and to register, visit windsorgov.com/ProjectConnect.
Conserve Water, Save Money Updating older household fixtures such as toilets and washers can help you save on your water bill. Replacing a pre-1994 toilet with a new high-efficiency model can reduce your toilet’s water usage up to 60 percent. A one-time rebate of up to $50 is available for qualifying toilets and/or $100 for qualifying washers. The rebate program is available to all Windsor residents who receive water from the Windsor Water Utility.
For more information including program details and rebate applications, visit windsorgov.com/WaterConservation.