KWCH - Kansas News and Weather - New Water Bills to Save City $240,000

New Water Bills to Save City $240,000

By John Boyd (WICHITA, Kan.)

Wichita water customers will notice a change in their bills in September.  The changes won't save the customer money, but the city says the changes will save the city nearly $240,000 a year.

New delinquent and shut-off notices, which went out on Friday, are now just black and white postcards.  These notices were once mailed out as bright yellow or pink letters in envelopes.

The city says that change will save 18 cents per mailing, which amounts to more than $37,000 a year.

Water customers will also see newly designed monthly water bills.  The new bills have more historical information and will come with a separate return envelope.  Old bills used a special envelope that converted into a return envelope.  The city says this will save about ten cents per bill, which adds up to nearly $200,000 a year.

The city is also working on an option allowing customers to receive their monthly water bills through email.  Though, customers will still receive a hard copy if they want one.  The electronic bills will allow customers to pay their bills over the internet - whcih will save postage, production and environmental costs.

The city says the new bills and notices stem from the City Council's June decision to approve outsourcing of the print and mailing functions of water notices and bills.