Customer Service
Your Electric, Natural, Gas, Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Utilities in Alton are community-owned and locally-run. Our focus is providing dependable service at the best possible value to Alton homes and businesses. We are here to answer any questions you might have about your municipal services.
Along with the information on this page for billing and payment, new residents, and starting and stopping a service, we welcome you to contact us at our office during business hours.
Customer Service Hours
Monday through Friday: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Phone: 712-756-4314
Billing & Payment Info
Learn how to read your bill, make a utility payment, sign up for automatic withdrawal (ACH), and more about billing and payment.
Ways to pay your bill:
- By mail: Send it to City of Alton, PO Box 910, Alton, IA, 51003.
- In person or by drop box at the City Office: 905 3rd Avenue, Alton, IA, 51003. Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Automatic withdrawal: Sign up for Automatic Withdrawal to eliminate the need to write a check for utility services and assure that payments are made on time. With Automatic Withdrawal, the utility bill is automatically deducted from an authorized checking account. You can choose either the 10th of the month, or the due date on the 20th; however, if this date falls on the weekend, payment will be deducted on Monday. Automatic Withdrawal customers receive a monthly utility statement, and participants’ bank statements will show the utility payment deduction.
Customers interested in this free service need to complete an authorization form for the bank transactions. The forms are available at the City Office located at 905 3rd Avenue. You can also download a printable version (PDF) of this form, fill it out, and return it with a voided check or savings deposit slip to the City Office: 905 3rd Avenue, Alton, IA, 51003. Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - By phone: Call Allpaid at (888) 604-7888, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- Pay Online: Visit altoniowa.usto make your online payment. Click on “Pay Bill” at the top to make payment.
Budget Billing
Budget Billing is a free service that aids in financial planning. This is accomplished by dividing a customer’s estimated annual utility charges into 12 equal payments. This designated amount is billed each month regardless of the customer’s actual usage. To achieve the most accurate budget billing amount, AMU highly recommends that customers have 12 months of usage history before signing up for this service. For more information, call the City Office at 712-756-4314 during regular business hours 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Customer Rights and Remedies
If you receive a notice that says your bill is past due and service will be shutoff, a list of responsibilities and remedies can be referenced.
Utility Release Form
In order for a third party to view a customer’s utility account information, this form (PDF) will need to be completed.
New Resident
Utility information for new residents in Alton including what you will need when you sign up for utility service.
What Do I Need to Sign Up for Utility Service?
According to Federal Law, new customers need to show a valid US Government ID, such as: state driver’s license, military ID, passport, or VISA. You also need to complete and return a “New Customer” application form (PDF) to the City Office.
Do I Have to Pay a Deposit When I Sign Up for Utility Service?
Alton Municipal Utilities (AMU) requires a deposit because AMU bills for services after they have been provided.
Calculating the Deposit Amount: The amount of an initial service deposit will be no more than the highest month’s bill in the last 12-month period at the address you are applying for.
Accepted Forms of Payment: AMU accepts cash, checks (no two-party checks), credit cards, or automatic withdrawal from a checking or saving account.
When Will I Receive My Bill and How Long Will I Have to Pay It?
AMU mails all bills on the last working day of the month. All bills are due in full on/or before the 20th of the month.
Can I Have My Utility Payment Automatically Debited from My Bank Account?
With our Automatic Withdrawal payment plan your utility payments are automatically deducted from your checking or savings account. You will still receive a monthly statement so you know the amount being deducted from your bank account and at the bottom of your statement, it will be marked “Automatic payment-do not pay.“ Please fill out the Automatic Withdrawal form (PDF) and return it to the City Office with a voided check (not a deposit slip). The payment is automatically deducted from an authorized checking account. You can choose either the 10th of the month, or the due date on the 20th; however, if this date falls on the weekend, payment will be deducted on Monday. Automatic Withdrawal customers receive a monthly utility statement, and participants’ bank statements will show the utility payment deduction.
Do You Offer Budget Billing? Can I Enroll as a New Customer?
We prefer that new customers wait one year before enrolling in budget billing. The monthly budget amount is the average of actual usage for the previous 12 months and will include what we anticipate for rate increases.
Who Do I Contact with Questions Regarding My Bill?
Call the Alton City Office at 712-756-4314 or visit our office during normal business hours at 905 3rd Avenue from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. The office is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Start / Stop Service: Information for when you move or if you want to temporarily disconnect your utilities because you plan to be away from Alton sixty or more days.
Start / Stop Service: Seasonal Customers: Homeowners who plan to be away from Alton for 60 days or more due to a seasonal move or extended trip are asked to call the City Office at 712-756-4314 before leaving town to report departure and expected return dates.
If you choose to temporarily disconnect your utilities, please remember our Disconnect/Connect Fee Policy. A fee of $30.00 will apply for each of the electric, gas, water, and sewer utilities reconnecting following a temporary disconnect. This fee is to recover costs incurred by the utility for maintaining facilities which stand “ready to serve.” An example of this: A customer leaves for a few months and has a utility service disconnected to avoid minimum charges. Upon return and reconnect, a fee of $30.00 per utility will be billed. Call the City Office with any questions.
Before leaving town for an extended period, you should also call the City Office at (712) 756-4314 to stop garbage service and defer garbage charges while you are away.
Moving: Please inform the City Office of the date and address of your intended new address by either calling or visiting the City Office. This ensures that the meters will be read on the day of the transfer and an accurate record can be kept.
Alton utility customers are responsible for the water and sewer service lines on property they own. These service lines link you to the city water and sewer mains. If a home or business’ service lines break or need repair, the property owner is responsible for repairs.
Service line repairs can be expensive, running into thousands of dollars. Our desire is that property owners would not be surprised by their responsibility for service lines, especially in case of a break or other needed repair.
Property owners may purchase plans to cover service line repairs. If interested, you should visit your homeowner’s insurance agent to ask them about coverage. National companies specializing in emergency home repair coverage also offer competitive plans.
Water Service Lines: The Water Department maintains and repairs all water mains located in the street rights of way and water easements; this includes the curb stop (water shutoff) located on the property. The customer is responsible for the individual service that connects to the water curb stop. This includes the service pipe running from the curb stop to the house and the water meter valve located in the house. The water meter is maintained by the utility.
View a drawing of your water service.
Sewer Service Lines: The Wastewater Department maintains and repairs all sewer mains and manholes located in the street rights of way and easements. The customer is responsible for the individual service that connects to the sewer main.
View a drawing of your sewer service.
Gas & Electric Service Lines: In Alton, property owners are not responsible for natural gas and electric service lines to their house. These are maintained by Alton Municipal Utilities.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program offered through Mid-Sioux Opportunity may be able to help you pay your winter heating bill.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program offered through Mid-Sioux Opportunity may be able to help you pay your winter heating bill. This program is funded through the Iowa Department of Human Rights and has been established to help qualified low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs.
Your local Mid-Sioux office will be taking applications from November 1 through April 30. Each applicant will need to furnish a copy of their most recent heating and electric bill, original Social Security or I-94 card for each household member, and proof of the household’s income for the past months (4 weeks), the past twelve (12) months, or one of your two most recent tax returns. Eligibility for participation is established according to federal income guidelines listed below. Applicants eligible for an award will be paid on a first-come, first-serve basis and all payments are subject to availability of funds.
For more information or to apply contact:
Sioux Center:
618 14th St. NE, Suite 10
(712) 722-3611
info@midsioux.org
Remsen:
418 South Marion Street
(800) 859-2025
(712) 786-2001
info@midsioux.org
or email Mid-Sioux. Hearing Impaired call 711.
Alton Municipal Utilities offers a plan to help disadvantaged households pay wintertime energy bills.
Project Share: Project Share is a plan, created by your municipal utility, to assist disadvantaged households in paying their wintertime energy bills. You can help by adding a tax-deductible PS contribution to your monthly utility payment or by making a one-time contribution to Project Share. These funds will then be distributed to neighbors in need for wintertime energy costs. Complete this form (PDF) to help others through Project Share.
Mid Sioux Opportunity will qualify people who need help and then distribute your Project Share contributions to help pay utility bills for those in need.
So please, add a PS – Project Share – to your utility payment each month. It’s a simple way to share some warmth with those who need it.