Billing: Can I access my account and pay my bill online?	TOP
Can I access my account and pay my bill online?
We are working at adding that functionality to this website. That feature does not currently exist.
Billing: Can I change the due date on my bill?	TOP
Can I change the due date on my bill?
No. Billing cycles are based on your address.
Billing: Do you have a budget plan available?	TOP
Do you have a budget plan available?
At this time, only for home owners who heat with electricity.
Billing: How do I re-establish good credit standing?	TOP
How do I re-establish good credit standing?
Each time you are billed, our computers add the current month's information and drop the thirteenth previous month's credit information. In this way, when your current twelve-month account credit history shows no more than two Credit Offenses, you account status is upgraded to Good Standing.
Billing: I can't make my payment on time. Do you have a repayment plan?	TOP
I can't make my payment on time. Do you have a repayment plan?
We can make special arrangements. You must come to our office and speak with a Customer Service Representative in person. We cannot make these arrangements by phone or email.
Billing: On my Electric bill, what is the Customer Charge?	TOP
On my Electric bill, what is the Customer Charge?
This fixed monthly charge is the basic fee for your electric service. It does not fluctuate with usage and does not include any consumption. This fee is intended to cover our costs of maintaining and keeping your customer account records active (data processing, meter reading, billing, etc.). If you have absolutely no electric consumption, the Customer Charge will be your only electric bill.
Billing: On my Electric bill, what is the Tracker Charge?	TOP
On my Electric bill, what is the Tracker Charge?
When our supplier changes their rates to us, the mechanism for our cost recovery is the “tracker”, a fixed surcharge per kWh. Also included in the tracker is a fuel adjustment calculation, which is strictly a pass-through. The tracker charge fluctuates every quarter and can appear as a credit or a charge.
Billing: What amount do I have to pay to avoid disconnection?	TOP
What amount do I have to pay to avoid disconnection?
There are variables on this depending on each household and individual circumstance. We recommend that each account be paid in full every month.
Billing: What are the minimum charges for utility services at MU?	TOP
What are the minimum charges for utility services at MU?
Based on residential rates within the city and a 5/8" water meter, the minimum charge for Electric is $5.60, Wastewater is $16.30 and Water is $10.62.
Billing: What dates of service are covered by this bill?	TOP
What dates of service are covered by this bill?
The reading period is listed on your bill, along with the number of days for the billing period.
Billing: What is a "Credit Offense"?	TOP
What is a "Credit Offense"?
Whenever you receive a Final Notice or are charged a Penalty for late payment, that event counts as a Credit Offense. Also, if your service is disconnected for non-payment, or if your bank returns your check for insufficient funds, it is a Credit Offense. To maintain your account in good credit standing with us, you need to have no more than two Credit Offenses in the last twelve months. That credit standing is the sole deciding factor to determine the need for new or additional deposits. That also is reported to other utilities requesting information on your creditworthiness.
Billing: What is a Final Notice?	TOP
What is a Final Notice?
Several days after your regular monthly bill becomes due, we send a notice reminding you that the bill is still unpaid, and restating the due date. If this amount is still unpaid when the next month's bill is generated, your account becomes two months delinquent and will be on our disconnect list, unless you make arrangements for payment prior to our disconnect date.
Billing: What payment options are available?	TOP
What payment options are available?
The best option is called EZ Pay, which allows you to have your bill paid automatically and electronically from your checking account. Contact our office or check this website for details. We also now accept major credit cards with certain restrictions. Contact the office for more information.
Billing: Why is my bill so high when compared to my neighbor's bill?	TOP
Why is my bill so high when compared to my neighbor's bill?
This is a difficult question to answer. Everybody has a different lifestyle - there are really no "normal" bills. If you feel your bill may be in error, you should compare it to your bill at the same time last year. If you have done this and you still believe there may be an error, report it to us. We will make every effort to re-read your meter and inspect your service. Remember, there are many variables, like home insulation, water consumption, appliance efficiency, home/work schedules, and other considerations that make every home different.
Clean River, Healthy Neighborhoods: How does the city's plan benefit me if I don't fish, kayak, or swim in the river?	TOP
How does the city's plan benefit me if I don't fish, kayak, or swim in the river?
Even if you don't use the river for recreation, you create sewage that contributes to the problem. When you flush the toilet or send water down a drain, you should be confident that your waste travels to the wastewater treatment plant for treatment. Too often, our sewers are overloaded and untreated sewage is overflowing into the river and backing up into people's basements. The St. Joseph River is a community asset and a centerpiece of efforts to bring jobs and new residents to our community. Just as we all contribute to building our highways and streets, we all need to contribute to solving the problem of sewage overflows. Clean rivers and healthy neighborhoods will benefit us all.
Clean River, Healthy Neighborhoods: How will we reduce raw sewage overflows?	TOP
How will we reduce raw sewage overflows?
Mishawaka, Elkhart and South Bend are negotiating with the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to develop long-term plans to reduce raw sewage overflows. The three cities are working to meet federal and state requirements in a cost-effective way, focusing our dollars on projects with the greatest environmental and public health benefits. We are also working to meet our obligation to spend ratepayer dollars wisely.
Clean River, Healthy Neighborhoods: What are the harmful effects of raw sewage overflows?	TOP
What are the harmful effects of raw sewage overflows?
Raw sewage backing up into people's homes is a serious health hazard. In addition, the St. Joseph River doesn't meet recreational standards for E. coli bacteria 10-16 percent of the time during the warm-weather months when people use the river for recreation. E. coli is an indicator of human or animal waste and potentially disease-causing organisms in the water. Some E. coli in a waterway is natural, but high levels have been linked to stomach cramps, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal illnesses among swimmers and people who ingest or swallow water during recreation. Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions are most at risk.
Clean River, Healthy Neighborhoods: What are the other reasons to clean the river?	TOP
What are the other reasons to clean the river?
The St. Joseph River is an asset for everyone to enjoy, and we all have an interest in a clean river and healthy neighborhoods. Mishawaka, Elkhart and South Bend were located here because of the river, and all three communities are looking to their riverfronts for economic development. The river is used for fishing, kayaking and boating, and the watershed provides habitat for more than 80 species of fish and other wildlife. In the 21st century, we have a responsibility to capture and treat our sewage before it goes into the river.
Clean River, Healthy Neighborhoods: What are the requirements for solving this problem?	TOP
What are the requirements for solving this problem?
Reducing raw sewage overflows is not only the right thing to do, it's also required to meet state and federal law. Among Indiana's 103 sewer overflow communities, Mishawaka, Elkhart and South Bend are unique. Our sewer overflows can affect the St. Joseph River beyond the Indiana-Michigan border. For this reason, the US Environmental Protection Agency has targeted the three communities for priority action. Our three communities must meet not only Indiana's water quality requirements, but Michigan's as well. Although these requirements will be expensive to meet, it's better to spend money here fixing the problem than to pay fines to Washington or Indianapolis.
Clean River, Healthy Neighborhoods: What benefits will we receive for our dollars?	TOP
What benefits will we receive for our dollars?
Mishawaka's plan will virtually eliminate sewer overflows to the St. Jospeh River. In a year with typical rainfall, we will capture 99-100 percent of all sewage and provide it with proper treatment before returning it to the river. However, some overflows may occur during abnormally wet years or large storms.
Clean River, Healthy Neighborhoods: What is happening with other cities that have sewage overflows?	TOP
What is happening with other cities that have sewage overflows?
Indiana has 103 communities with raw sewage overflows, including several on the St. Joseph River. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is responsible ro ensuring that these other communities are addressing the problem, just as Mishawaka, Elkhart and South bend are doing.
Clean River, Healthy Neighborhoods: When will you start to fix this problem?	TOP
When will you start to fix this problem?
Work is already under way to reduce sewage overflows, using tried-and-true methods and state-of-the-art technology. Our three cities are expanding treatment plants, separating sewers, removing stormwater from the sewer systems, and testing new technologies for managing our sewer systems. The three communities have spent more than $200 million since 1990 to reduce overflows. We've already reduced overflows by more than 1 billion gallons per year.
Clean River, Healthy Neighborhoods: Why didn't we do more of this work years ago?	TOP
Why didn't we do more of this work years ago?
We have not been sitting still. Since 1990 Mishawaka, Elkhart and South Bend have spent more than $200 million to reduce sewer overflows. These "early action projects" have improved treatment capacity, eliminated bottlenecks in the sewer systems, reduced overflows, and separated combined sewers into sanitary and storm sewers in many neighborhoods. All three communities are making common sense sewer and treatment plant improvements while working on our long-term plans.
Clean River, Healthy Neighborhoods: Why do we have raw sewage spilling into the river and people's basements?	TOP
Why do we have raw sewage spilling into the river and people's basements?
Our sewer system, as in many cities throughout the United States, was designed to carry both sewage and rainwater - with relief points that overflow when too much rainwater enters the system. During dry weather, sewage flows safely through the sewers to our wastewater treatment plant. However, during rainstorms or snowmelt the incoming stormwater can overwhelm the sewers and cause raw sewage to overflow into the St. Joseph River and sometimes back up into people's basements.
Clean River, Healthy Neighborhoods: Why were our sewers built this way?	TOP
Why were our sewers built this way?
More than 100 years ago, we began building our sewer system to carry rainwater and melting snow away from homes, businesses and streets. This was standard practice at the time. When indoor plumbing came later, homeowners and business owners hooked their sewage lines to the storm sewers, combining stormwater and sewage in one pipe. During dry weather, the combined sewers carry sewage to our treatment plant. However, when it rains or snow melts, the sewers can be overloaded with incoming stormwater. When this happens, the sewers are designed to capture the first flush of concentrated sewage and then overflow into nearby streams and rivers.
Disconnection: On what date will electric service be shut off for non-payment?	TOP
On what date will electric service be shut off for non-payment?
We generally disconnect for non-payment immediately after the due date, Monday through Friday. You will need to call our office for the exact date.
Disconnection: What if I am disconnected for non-payment?	TOP
What if I am disconnected for non-payment?
Your account is considered delinquent if you owe for two months' service. You will be disconnected a few days after the due date for the zone you live in. (Your zone is shown on your bill and on your Final Notice.) You can call our office to determine your exact disconnect day and to make the arrangements to avoid disconnection.
Disconnection: When will my electric be turned back on?	TOP
When will my electric be turned back on?
We disconnect services in the mornings and reconnect the paid accounts after 12:30 in the afternoon. There is an additional $20 reconnect fee charged during regular business hours. The after-hours reconnect fee is $45. Any amount due, including reconnect fees, must be paid with cash, money order or cashier's check. Our personnel cannot accept cash after hours. Our policy forbids the acceptance of personal checks for reconnection of services.
Disconnection: Why did I get shut off without any notification?	TOP
Why did I get shut off without any notification?
You first received the bill (blue), then a "final notice" (red), and then a second bill (blue). The second blue bill shows your amount past-due (balance forward), with a notice at the bottom of the bill stating that any previous balance must be paid immediately to avoid disconnection.
General: What are your office hours?	TOP
What are your office hours?
Our Business Office is open Monday thru Friday from 8:00-5:00. Other facilities are genearlly open to the public from 7:00-4:00, M-F.
General: What utility services do you provide?	TOP
What utility services do you provide?
We provide Electric, Water and Wastewater Treatment (sewage) services.
General: Where do I sign up for other services?	TOP
Where do I sign up for other services?
Other utility services are offered locally by ATT (telephone), NIPSCO (natural gas), Comcast (Cable TV), and Allied Waste Services (trash removal/recycling services). You may link to them elsewhere in this site. They each have their own phone numbers and application procedures.
General: Where is your Business Office located?	TOP
Where is your Business Office located?
In beautiful downtown Mishawaka, at 126 N. Church Street. We are one block north of Lincolnway and one block east of Main Street, right next to the Police Station.
General: Who should I call to locate buried utility services before I dig?	TOP
Who should I call to locate buried utility services before I dig?
In all cases, you should call before you dig. You should call 1-800-382-5544 at least 48 hours in advance of digging. That one phone call locates all underground services free of charge to you. The call could save your life.
Starting Service: Can I pay the deposit with a charge card?	TOP
Can I pay the deposit with a charge card?
Yes, we can debit or charge your deposit amount to a Visa or MasterCard when paying in our Business Office..
Starting Service: Do I have to be present for the water to be turned on?	TOP
Do I have to be present for the water to be turned on?
Yes. Most water meters are inside the home. We must get in to read your meter and check its installation. This is for your protection, as leaks are sometimes discovered at this point.
Starting Service: Do I have to pay the deposit all at once?	TOP
Do I have to pay the deposit all at once?
Special arrangements can occasionally be made; come in and talk to us about it.
Starting Service: Do I need to pay a deposit?	TOP
Do I need to pay a deposit?
If you don't have a recent credit letter from another utility company, or a recent, good history with us at another location, then, yes, you do.
Starting Service: If I must come to your office, what should I bring?	TOP
If I must come to your office, what should I bring?
Driver's license or other photo ID and a copy of your lease, if you are renting.
Starting Service: When do I get my deposit back?	TOP
When do I get my deposit back?
Usually we keep it on your account to pay your last bill when you terminate service. However, if you are in good credit standing after twelve (12) months and you request it, we will apply the deposit to your account current bill. We do pay interest on deposit money we have in your account.
Starting Service: When starting new service, do I need to come to your office?	TOP
When starting new service, do I need to come to your office?
If a deposit is required, yes you do.
Starting Service: Why can't you install my services on the same day I request it?	TOP
Why can't you install my services on the same day I request it?
Water service is installed by appointment only. Electric crews are booked at the start of each day. Although we can sometimes get electric installed by the next day after your request, you should try to contact our office and give us three days' notice for any new service whenever possible.
Starting Service: Why is the deposit so high?	TOP
Why is the deposit so high?
By law, it is based upon a two month bill.
Wastewater: I pay sewer insurance. What does that cover?	TOP
I pay sewer insurance. What does that cover?
For this information you may contact the City Engineering Department. The phone number is 574.258.1619.
Wastewater: My sewer is backing up. Whom do I call?	TOP
My sewer is backing up. Whom do I call?
In periods of high rainfall and flooding, some sewers that carry combined sanitary and storm flows can be filled to capacity. In such an event, we suggest a call to the Sewer Maintenance Department at 258-1715 for assessment of the problem. Otherwise, you will want to have your sewer lateral checked by an independent contractor. Sewer latrerals (the portion from your home to the street) can collapse or fill with roots and debris. Your lateral may need cleaning. If repair is in order, the Sewer Maintenance Department can tell you how to file an insurance claim with the City.
Wastewater: What is the wastewater charge and why is it so high?	TOP
What is the wastewater charge and why is it so high?
This charge is for processing wastewater at our treatment plant. This is not a metered service. The charge is based upon water consumption. If your water bill is high, your wastewater bill will be also.
Water: Can I fill my pool from a fire hydrant?	TOP
Can I fill my pool from a fire hydrant?
NO. This practice can actually be a public health hazard and is therefore strictly prohibited.
Water: When is the best time to fill my swimming pool?	TOP
When is the best time to fill my swimming pool?
In the summer. Check with our Business Office to ensure that you are within the 6-month summer billing cycle to take advantage of the lower Wastewater charges.
Water: Why do I have to fix water leaks in my yard? Isn't that the Utilities' responsibility?	TOP
Why do I have to fix water leaks in my yard? Isn't that the Utilities' responsibility?
We are responsible for the main water line all the way to the curb stop. The customer is responsible from the curb stop to the residence and all the problems that originate from there. We do service the water meter that is located at the residence.
Water: Why don't I have any water?	TOP
Why don't I have any water?
There are several things to check: Has someone accidentally turned the main water valve off? If it's wintertime, have you checked for frozen pipes? Have you checked with your neighbors to see if they have water? There may be a water main break that hasn't been reported.

About MU • EZ Pay Center • Business Directory • Resource Center • Help Desk • Staff