Fairfax Water and (Lack of) Online Payment

[Fairfax Water 2011]

I am a Fairfax Water employee and wanted to respond to the comments about online billing. We share your interest in online billing and are exploring this service as part of a broader initiative to offer new online payment services. We currently offer the option to pay online, but must use a third-party vendor because of the fee that credit card companies charge each time card holders use their credit cards. Most retailers absorb this fee so customers are often not aware of it. As a public non-profit authority, if we absorbed this fee it would mean that customers who do not use the online option would be subsidizing those who do. For this reason, most public, non-profit, and government entities use a third-party vendor.

Our Electronic Billing, Payment, and Presentment (EBPP) initiative is exploring ways to provide electronic billing and payment to customers. We have not set a date yet for implementing the paperless billing and new payment services, but as soon as they are available information about the new programs will be widely publicized in the Fairfax Water newsletter that is sent with your water bill, on your billing statement, and on our Web site at [URL="http://www.fairfaxwater.org"]www.fairfaxwater.org[/URL]. If you have any questions, please contact us at [EMAIL="pr@fairfaxwater.org"]pr@fairfaxwater.org[/EMAIL] or 703-698-5600. Thanks for letting me share this info!

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Yeah, that would be great. Thank you for paying attention to the customers.

At minimum, I'd like to be able to sign up for automatic draft online. I do not understand why this has to be mailed.

[Azmordean]

Originally Posted by IndiaLimaDelta

With BoA Billy Pay, there appear to be two types of institutions that can receive payments from BoA. A select number seem to have a more involved relationshiop with the Bill Pay system and can take electronic payments immediately (they may also be able to issue "E-billing" through BoA). For the rest, I believe BoA sends out printed checks. That usually takes 3-4 days.

You have it right. All bank bill pay works this way. For companies that can receive electronic payment, they use electronic payment. For companies that can't, they print and mail a check.

Originally Posted by IndiaLimaDelta

The goofy thing about BoA Bill Pay is that, whether or not the intended recipient actually received the payment, the system debits one's account on the date of the draw.

It's not goofy, it's part of why many banks offer bill pay for free. Put another way, it's how many banks make money off of online bill pay. By debiting you account immediately, the money is "theirs" to use for lending or whatever else until the check or electronic transfer clears. Sounds minimal, but aggregated over all customers it is probably quite significant.

To me, it is well worth the convenience though. That said, I Don't think my bank (Ally Bank) does this.

[Sidamo]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Water 2011

I am a Fairfax Water employee and wanted to respond to the comments about online billing. We share your interest in online billing and are exploring this service as part of a broader initiative to offer new online payment services. We currently offer the option to pay online, but must use a third-party vendor because of the fee that credit card companies charge each time card holders use their credit cards. Most retailers absorb this fee so customers are often not aware of it. As a public non-profit authority, if we absorbed this fee it would mean that customers who do not use the online option would be subsidizing those who do. For this reason, most public, non-profit, and government entities use a third-party vendor.

Our Electronic Billing, Payment, and Presentment (EBPP) initiative is exploring ways to provide electronic billing and payment to customers. We have not set a date yet for implementing the paperless billing and new payment services, but as soon as they are available information about the new programs will be widely publicized in the Fairfax Water newsletter that is sent with your water bill, on your billing statement, and on our Web site at www.fairfaxwater.org. If you have any questions, please contact us at pr@fairfaxwater.org or 703-698-5600. Thanks for letting me share this info!

Here it is, three years later (a third of a decade), and nothing has changed at Fairfax Water. No "EBPP" system is in place, and there's still no way to view one's bill online. Disheartening.

[kutra11]

Originally Posted by Sidamo

Here it is, three years later (a third of a decade), and nothing has changed at Fairfax Water. No "EBPP" system is in place, and there's still no way to view one's bill online. Disheartening.

True! Even their water is still the same... ...

[Sidamo]

Originally Posted by Sidamo

Here it is, three years later (a third of a decade), and nothing has changed at Fairfax Water. No "EBPP" system is in place, and there's still no way to view one's bill online. Disheartening.

Another year gone by. Any progress on the electronic billing initiative?

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Sidamo

Another year gone by. Any progress on the electronic billing initiative?

have you considered asking Fairfax Water, rather than this internet forum?

[FCNova]

It certainly would be nice. At least they bill quarterly so we don't have to mail a check to them every month.

[LuvVA]

Just simply fill the auto-pay form and mail it/fax it. I did it few months ago and it is working fine. Just make sure they received it by calling them.

[farplaner]

I just use my bank's online bill pay and it works just fine with no fees.