The top of your utility bill shows information about your specific utility account, as well as contact information to reach Customer Services Utility Billing.

Contact Us

To discuss your utility account, contact the Customer Services Utility Billing center during the business hours listed using the phone number or other contact information provided in the top left corner of your bill.

Service Address

The service address is the address of the property where utility services are provided. It can be found at the very top middle of your bill.

Service Period

The service period is the billing period for the current bill. It is located in the top middle portion of your bill, just beneath the service address.

Customer Account Information

Information regarding the utility account including account number, security code, bill date (date the bill is generated), account class, and account area can be found in the top right corner of your bill. The account number and security code are required to make a payment by phone or online.

The right side of the bill shows information about your consumption and usage. On the City of Salem website you can find homeowner tips for detecting leaks, preventing frozen pipes, and preventing sewer back-up, as well as other general utility information that can help you manage your usage.

Usage Summary

Wastewater Volume (units)

Wastewater (sewer) volume is not metered for most customers. Wastewater volume units are determined annually using the average water consumption of two to four measurable meter readings taken on or after November 1 of each year. Once the wastewater volume is determined, customers are billed the same wastewater volume charge each month for one year, even if water usage is different than the wastewater volume amount.

Stormwater Area (square feet)

Stormwater area is charged based on the customer classification and the amount of impervious surface on the property at the service address.

Meter Readings and Consumption Units

This shows the previous meter reading and the current meter reading for the service period. Consumption units are the amount of water used during the billing period calculated as the difference between the previous meter reading and the current meter reading. A monthly charge is calculated by multiplying the number of consumption units by the established water volume rate. One unit of water equals 748 gallons.

Water Consumption History

The graph beneath the usage summary shows water consumption history for the past 12 months. Use this information to manage your water consumption and for leak detection.

The left side of the utility bill shows the prior balance, payments, adjustments, and current charges for your account.

Current utility rates and other fees, as well as a utility bill estimator, are available on the City of Salem website. There is also information about the emergency utility assistance program and the utility rate relief program for eligible customers.

Balance Summary

Previous balance

The bottom of the bill is your utility payment remittance stub.

Payment Remittance Stub

Detach the payment remittance stub from the bottom of your bill and include it with your payment whenever you pay your bill through the mail, in person, or at one of the drop box locations. Payment options are listed on the reverse side of the remittance stub.

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