GMWSS Portal

• Make a Payment
(Credit / Debit / e-check)
• Schedule Payments
• Pay by Text
• Check Account Balance
• View Usage History
• Sign Up for E-Bills
(Additional Info)

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to some of the questions we hear most...

Type in your Search Term

  1. What are the Office Hours?
  2. How do I establish new service?
  3. When is my bill due?
  4. What are my payment options?
  5. Can I pay my bill online?
  6. What are the GMWSS Portal and E-mail Bills (E-bills)?
  7. I think I was charged multiple times using the GMWSS Portal!
  8. What about garbage and recycling collection?
  9. What are the scheduled rates?
  10. What are the connection fees?
  11. What happens when I have a leak?
  12. How can I locate water or sewer lines?
  13. How much will I pay each month?
  14. How do GMWSS rates compare to other utilities in KY?
  15. Is my water meter actually read every month?
  16. How can I lower my water bill?
  17. How much water will I use doing ordinary things, such as washing clothes?
  18. Can a small leak (such as a toilet leak) increase my bill very much?
  19. How can I prevent frozen pipes?
  20. What is the hardness of the water?
  21. What is the leak adjustment policy?
  22. Theft of Water Information
  23. What are Non-Flushables?
  24. Unregulated Contaminants Sampling
  25. Boil Water Advisory Information
  26. 911 Service Fee

 


What are the Office Hours?

  • Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:20 p.m. except for posted holidays. The Drive-Thru window remains open until 4:30p.m.
    Click here for directions to our office.
    GMWSS has a service worker on call at all times.  If you experience a problem outside of our normal business hours, or on the weekend, please call 863-7816.  You will hear a brief message offering further instructions.  If you are calling to report a serious emergency, please call the Georgetown Police Department at 863-7820 or dial 911.
    To report a spill, please call 911 or 1-800-928-2380.
  • For customers turned off due to non-payment of bill:
    If paying after hours, service will be restored the following business day.
Back to Top

How do I establish new service?

  • Property Owners may click here to submit the form online.
    *** After completing this form, applicants MUST bring a valid ID to the GMWSS Administration Office at 1000 W. Main St. within 30 days, or service may be discontinued until ID is validated. ***
  • Property owners are not required to pay a deposit to establish new service.  However, if a homeowner becomes delinquent and is scheduled for disconnection 2 times, he or she will be required, at the time of the second disconnection, to pay a security deposit of $75.00.
  • If you are renting your home you may not use the online form as you are required to pay a $75.00 security deposit before we can begin service in your name.
  • Your deposit will be applied against your final water bill.  Refunds will be sent out approximately two weeks after the final bill.
  • Business owners will have the same guidelines, with the exception of the amount of the deposit.  That will be based on the amount of water usage expected by the type of business.
  • Some customers will only have sewer and garbage through GMWSS.  These customers will establish water service with Kentucky American Water Company (KAWC) and will also have to come into our office to begin sewer and garbage service.  They will be billed monthly based on the usage sent by KAWC.  Any questions about those readings need to be directed to KAWC at 859-268-6300.
Back to Top

When is my bill due?

  • Depending on your address, your bill will be due either the 5th, 10th, or 15th of each month. We bill a month behind so you will not receive your first water bill until you have been at your residence for at least one full month. Your water bill will be mailed to you approximately 2 weeks before the due date.
  • Failure to pay by the due date will result in a 5% penalty being added to your bill. Disconnection notices are mailed out 1 to 2 business days after the due date. Failure to receive this notice does not relinquish responsibility to pay the amount due. Bills that are not paid in full by 4:30 p.m. on the date indicated, on both the bill and the disconnection notice, will be scheduled for disconnection the following morning.
  • If payment is placed in our Night Depositor after 4:30 p.m., you are not relinquished from the $30.00 reconnection fee. You must pay the bill in full plus a $30.00 reconnection fee in order to restore service. You must speak with a Customer Service Representative during regular business hours before service can be restored.
  • Disconnection due to non-payment is not considered an emergency. Customers that pay only sewer and garbage with GMWSS will be required to pay a $100.00 reconnection fee and the bill in full to restore service. Your service will be restored by a KAWC service worker and may take as long as 24 hours to be restored.
  • Water meters are read and bills are mailed to customers each month based on one of the following billing cycles. 
    Read Date Billing Date Due Date Penalty Date
    1st - 10th 18th - 22nd 5th 6th
    1st - 10th 21st - 26th 10th 11th
    1st - 10th 28th - 31st 15th 16th
    Note: Disconnect notices are mailed 2 to 4 business days after due date.
    Service is disconnected 4 to 5 days after mailing of disconnect notice.
Back to Top

What are my payment options?

  • You may pay online using a credit/debit card or electronic check on the GMWSS Portal.
    We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Paypal.
  •  You may mail your payment to P.O. Box 640 • Georgetown KY •  40324
  • You may make payments with Customer Service at our Administration building. You may pay at the drive-thru window or in the lobby. You may drop your payment in our night depository located just beyond the drive-thru window.  Any payment made during office hours not requiring a receipt should be dropped in our night depository.
  • Only Checks or Money Orders (no cash) should be placed in the night depository.
  • You may sign up for Automatic Payment Service on the GMWSS Portal.
  • You can enroll in Pay by Text (with text confirmations) through the GMWSS Portal.
  • You can pay over the phone with a debt or credit card via the automated service anytime by calling 502-863-7816 and following the prompts.
Back to Top

What about garbage and recycling collection?

  • Call GMWSS at 502.863.7816 to start or stop service.
  • Questions / comments regarding garbage collection should be directed to Republic Services at 502.209.3800. Georgetown city residents are required, by a city ordinance, to receive garbage collection from the City of Georgetown through Republic Services. 
  • Recycling is included in your service but you must request a recycling cart from Republic at 502.209.3800.
  • The Georgetown Residential Fee is $16.15 per month (Residential Rate -1 Cart,1 Weekly Pickup) and is collected by GMWSS and remitted to Republic Services.
  • The Stamping Ground Residential Fee is $27.75 monthly and is collected by GMWSS and remitted to the City of Stamping Ground.
  • GMWSS simply collects these fees for the Cities, which leads to a cost savings for customers.
  • Republic Services • Garbage and Recycling FAQ's and Information
Back to Top

What are the scheduled rates?

Effective Rates: 3/1/23

    • Water

    $15.78 - First 2,000 gallons (minimum bill)
    $0.008518 (per 1 Gallon) (anything over minimum) 
    • Sewer
    $14.53 - First 2,000 gallons (minimum bill)
    $0.009220 (per 1 Gallon) (anything over minimum)
    • Utility Tax
    3 % of water billed (in dollars)
    • Georgetown
      Garbage
    $16.15 per month (Residential Rate -1 Cart,1 Weekly Pickup)
    $13.48 per month (Residential Rate) - Age 65 & over
    •  Stamping Ground Garbage $27.75 per month
    • Sales Tax
    6 % of water and sewer billed (in dollars)
    •  Kentucky River Authority $0.045 per 1,000 gallons of water
    •  911 Fee $8 per month per Unit (Click for more info)

Additional Rate Information (click)

More Garbage and Recycling Info

Back to Top
 

What are the connection fees?

  • Connection Fees - Water
  • ¾ x 5/8”  meter……………………….$1,750
  • 1” meter……………………………….$2,450
  • 2” meter……………………………….$5,100
  • 3” meter……………………………….$19,300
  • 4” meter……………………………….$24,600
  • 6” meter……………………………….At Cost
  • 8” meter……………………………….At Cost
  • Connection Fees – Sewer 
  • Sewer connection fees shall be $1,750 per residential unit.
  • Commercial and Industrial sewer connection fees shall be based on the number of equivalent residential units (ERU's) based upon 4,500 gallons per month average usage per residential unit. The sewer connection fee per ERU shall be $1,750.
Back to Top

What happens when I have a leak?

  • You, the customer, are responsible for repairing all leaks, service line breaks, or other problems beyond the service-connection fitting.  If you have a question about responsibility, please call our office.
  • GMWSS will adjust your bill if you have a water line break, provided it has been fixed and you can supply proof (i.e. a plumber’s statement) of the repair. 
  • You will be allowed one (1) leak adjustment per year and two (2) in a five year period.
    GMWSS will not adjust high bills due to commode leaks.
  • GMWSS will adjust the sewer portion of your bill to your average sewer usage if you are watering new construction landscaping or filling a swimming pool.  Only one month’s usage will be adjusted.

 

  • Residential and Non-Residential Customers have separate adjustments requirements.
    • A non-residential customer is defined as any customer other than a single-family residential customer including but not limited to commercial, industrial, governmental, institutional, rental, multifamily residential, and agricultural. If a single-family residential customer uses GMWSS water for the purposes of watering livestock or irrigation, that customer is considered a non-residential customer for this policy.

 

Back to Top

How can I locate water or sewer lines?

  • State law requires that you must call 811 or the BUD (Before U Dig) Center at 1-800-752-6007
    to have utility lines located.

    You may not dig prior to all utilities being marked by their agencies.

    811

For more information on excavation practices in the Kentucky read the Excavation handbook from 811Kentucky.com. Click here to read handbook.

Back to Top


Is my water meter actually read every month?

  • Your meter is read monthly.  The only exceptions to this are extreme weather conditions that prohibit the service workers from accessing your meter or something blocking access to your meter tub (i.e. an automobile parked over your meter tub).
Back to Top

How can I lower my water bill?

  • Take showers instead of baths.
  • Turn off water while brushing your teeth.
  • Fill the sink with water when shaving rather than letting the water run.
  • Avoid watering your lawn during the heat of the day to prevent loss due to evaporation.
  • Save dishwater and use it to water your flowers.
  • Repair dripping faucets and running toilets immediately.
  • Know the location of your shut off valve in case a water line leak occurs.
  • Replace old water-wasting toilets with new 1.6 gallon flush toilets.
Back to Top

Can I pay my bill online?

  • You may pay online using a credit/debt card or electronic check with the GMWSS Portal.
  • We accept Visa, MasterCard, or Discover.
  • You will need your GMWSS account number and Service Address Street Name.
  • You must enter the correct billing address for your credit/debit card when making a payment.
  • You can also may a one-time payment through the GMWSS Portal without registering.
  • Click for more info about the GMWSS Portal from Invoice Cloud.
Back to Top

I think I was charged multiple time when using the GMWSS Portal!

  • If an online payment is declined, it may temporarily show a charge to your bank account.
  • Certain banks will debit the requested amount from the account before the transaction is completed. Basically they put a hold on the funds while the process is validated.
  • GMWSS only receives payment for the validated transaction; any others are the banks’ responsibility to return to the customer’s account as they were prematurely held.
  • It is the specific bank’s policy which determines how and when the electronic transactions are processed; GMWSS has no control over that. Usually within a business day they replace the funds.
  • For this reason, it is important that Billing information is entered correctly.
  • Additional Information
Back to Top

How much water will I use doing ordinary things?

  • Shower………………………….25-50 Gallons
  • Shaving………………………….3-5 Gallons with the tap running
  • Dishwasher………………….….15 Gallons
  • Clothes Washer……………..….30-60 Gallons
  • Hand Washing……………….….2 Gallons with the tap running
  • Bath Tub…………………………36 Gallons
  • Toilet Flush………………..……..5-7 Gallons
Back to Top

Can a small leak (such as a toilet leak) increase my bill very much?

  • Diameter of Stream Gallons Used
    1/16" 74,000
    1/8" 298,000
    3/16" 666,000
    1/4" 1,181,500
Back to Top

How can I prevent frozen pipes?

  • Take these steps before cold weather sets in:
    • Wrap exposed pipes with insulating material.
      Block air passages into crawl spaces and basements.
    • Remove hoses from outside faucets and be sure to fix any leaky outside faucets.
    • Know where your shut-off water valve is located.
      This valve should be used in the event of a burst pipe or significant leak.
  • Tips during freezing weather:
    • Make sure that heat reaches your pipes. If your pipes are in a cabinet under the bathroom or kitchen sink, leave the cabinet doors open so heat can get in.
    • Keep a trickle of water running during periods of low usage and particularly on sub-zero nights. The trickle should be a steady stream the size of the lead in a pencil.
  • If you have a frozen pipe:
    • Simply wait for the pipe to thaw, if at all possible.
      Never use an open flame to thaw a pipe, since you could start a fire.
    • Call a plumber and get professional help, if all else fails.
Back to Top

What is the hardness of the water?

Back to Top

Unregulated Contaminants Sampling

  • Our water system has sampled for a series of unregulated contaminants. Unregulated contaminants are those that don't yet have a drinking water standard set by EPA. The purpose of monitoring for these contaminants is to help EPA decide whether the contaminants should have a standard. As our customers, you have a right to know that these data are available. If you are interested in examining the results, please contact our office during normal business hours.
Back to Top 

Boil Water Advisory Information

In case of a boil water advisory, those effected will receive a notification on their door with time and date of the advisory and what precautions to take. Getting a notification on your door does not mean that your water is contaminated, it is a precautionary measure only.

Things to know if you are under an advisory:                                                                                           
• The advisory will expire 36 hours from the time and date on the notification.
• Water used for drinking or cooking should be boiled 3 minutes prior to consumption or food prep.
• Water used for bathing, washing clothes, etc. does not require boiling.
• Water samples will be taken and analyzed once repair work has been completed. If there is an issue, GMWSS will notify customers.

Back to Top

911 Service Fee

Pursuant to City of Georgetown Ordinance 2020-13, and effective December 1, 2020, all occupied units shall be subject to a monthly 911 Service Fee. Multi-unit buildings shall remit this fee for each occupied unit. For example: A four (4) unit apartment building with four (4) occupied units, in January, 2021, shall remit $32.00 per month. Failure to remit the fee(s) required under this Ordinance shall result in a $10/month penalty, per delinquent occupied unit. Any party responsible for payment of the 911 Service Fee who misrepresents his/her/its obligation to remit the Fee shall be guilty of a Class A Misdemeanor. IF MULTIPLE UNITS ARE REPRESENTED ON YOUR MONTHLY GMWSS BILL, PLEASE CONTACT GMWSS IMMEDIATELY TO REPORT THE NUMBER OF OCCUPIED UNITS ON YOUR PROPERTY(IES).

•  Rate Effective July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023: $8.00/month/unit

The revenue generated by this fee will be utilized for expenditures directly attributable to the establishment, operation or maintenance of a public safety answering point, the delivery of 911 emergency services, or the provision of 911 services. For additional information, please visit GMWSS.com/911

 

Back to Top

 

 

 

 

Welcome
Welcome
Welcome
GMWSS Logo

 

 

Sign Up   Advisory   Sign In Online Account   Pay Bill  
back to top