Utility Bills & Payment

The City of Berkley is committed to providing safe and reliable water and transportation/treatment of sewer to all users of the system. Water and sewer charges should generate enough funds to cover wholesale obligations, debt service, operating costs, equipment, and future capital improvements.  Below are the current charges listed on the quarterly water/sewer service invoice along with a brief explanation of those fees. 

Please note Berkley continues to have very competitive rates for municipal utilities.  An annual survey of southeast Oakland County communities shows Berkley remains below the average for total charges (see SOCWA website for more details at www.socwa.org and click on “Water & Sewage Rate Survey” on the right side of the homepage).

WATER AND SANITARY (Code WA): $8.90 per 1 unit=100 cubic feet=748 gallons
This rate represents the quarterly consumption of water used based on regular meter readings. It also pays for the associated sanitary sewer flow and treatment. The rate increased in Fiscal 2020-2021 primarily based on increases in the wholesale
charges paid monthly to SOCWA/GLWA for water and WRC/GLWA for sewer.

READY TO SERVE (Code RS): $23.77 – based on a ¾” meter
This charge represents the fixed costs of maintaining the existing water and sewer system. It decreased substantially from the previous year based on the recommendation from the City auditor noted above.

STORM WATER (Code SW): $72.17 per ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit)
This charge covers the cost of transporting and treating the storm water runoff from impervious surfaces with monthly payments made to the Oakland County Water Resource Commissioner (WRC). A standard engineering calculation was previously developed to determine storm water runoff based on impervious areas. This charge also includes debt payment obligations for the upgrading of the George W. Kuhn Drain.

RESIDENTIAL REFUSE (Code RR): $15.84
This residential fee covers the cost of maintaining the Sanitation Fund, which includes curbside mixed recycling, regular garbage pickup, brush disposal, yard waste and leaf removal at the current level of service.

See more details about Point&Pay here. 

Save time and money by having your water/sewer bill payments automatically debited from your checking or savings account without having to write checks. 

How Do I Enroll?

• Enrollment is easy!  Simply complete steps 1-4 on the Direct Payment Enrollment Form and return the completed, signed form to Public Works.
• Then, continue to pay as you normally would until you receive a notification on your bill that the service is active.
• Once you sign-up your enrollment will stay effective until you send a written notice to the city to discontinue this service!
• Important! This is not a method for one-time online payment! For more information on a one-time online payment, visit the dropdown option on this page.

Why should I sign up for direct payment?

• No need to stand in lines to buy stamps or wait in line at City Hall to make a payment.
• No worries about missing a deadline and paying a late fee – because the payments are made on time every time – your bill is paid on the due date.

How Does Direct Payment Work?

• You will still receive a water/sewer bill statement indicating the amount due and the due date.
• The bill will state "Do Not Pay, Payment Made by Direct Payment."
• On the due date, the payment is drafted from your account to pay the bill in full. The bill statement and your bank statement will serve as your receipt.

Do I have to pay a fee for this service?

• The city does not charge a fee for this service; however, if a payment is returned with “insufficient funds,” there will be a $25 service fee just like there currently is with returned checks.

What if I change my mind or change banks?

• If you change banks, you will need to complete a new enrollment form and allow approximately 30 days for the change to go into effect.   If we do not receive a notice in writing of the change in banks – and your payment is returned for “insufficient funds,” there will be a $25 service fee just like there currently is with returned checks.
• If you change your mind and want to discontinue using the direct payment option – you must notify us in writing and allow 30 days for the change to go into effect.

**NOTE: This service will be phased out beginning JULY 1, 2021. Patrons should utilize the new Point&Pay service.**

See more details about Point&Pay here. 

Before beginning be sure to have the following information ready:

For current year tax payments

• Your 15 digit parcel number (begins with 04)
• Total amount due from your tax bill
• Your credit card information, including expiration date

For water payments

• Your 9 digit water account number (begins with a zero)
• Total amount due from your water bill
• Your credit card information, including expiration date

To make a payment by phone:

• Dial 1-800-2PAYTAX (1-800-272-9829)
• Select Option 3
• Enter your Jurisdiction Code: 3267
• Follow the messages, inputting data where necessary
• Wait for a confirmation number before hanging up

To make a payment online: 

• Click here to visit the 'Official Payments' website 
• Select local payments and enter your zip code, or select the "Payment Center" tab, select local payments and enter either your zip code or the Jurisdiction Code
• Select a payment type
• Enter the necessary information
• Submit the payment
• Wait for a confirmation number

Delinquent (Prior Year) Tax Payments

Delinquent taxes may be paid online at the Oakland County website.  Be sure to read their instructions and fee information before making payment.

Attention Snow Birds!

Do you leave the city in the Winter for warmer climates? 

• Sign up for automatic payment for your water bill, or

• Call or email the Department of Public Works to temporarily change the mailing address for your bill.  Be sure to notify us when you return to Berkley so we can update your address.

• The water can be shut off at the curb to limit concerns with pipes freezing within the building footprint.

If you set up a forwarding address for your mail at the post office, be aware that because water bills are mailed to “Occupant” the post office will not forward these bills..

Final water bills are calculated using the inside meter reading. The occupant of the home must take the inside meter reading to the Public Works Department. For complete instructions on how to obtain a final water bill call the Public Works Department

Click here to fill out a water bill auto-pay cancellation form.