MSD Online Payment: The Fastest Way to Pay Your Water Bill
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) lets you pay your water and sewer bill online through their website without logging into a separate account or downloading an app. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. The payment goes through immediately, and you get a confirmation number right away.
MSD's online payment system is run by a third-party processor, so there is a small fee depending on which payment method you choose. Debit and credit card payments cost more than bank account transfers. If you want to avoid the fee entirely, you can still mail a check or pay in person at an MSD office.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay your MSD bill online at any time without creating an account — just enter your account number and the amount due.
- Bank account transfers cost less in fees than debit or credit card payments, though all three methods process immediately.
- MSD also accepts payments by phone, mail, or in person at their office on North Kingshighway in St. Louis.
- If you set up automatic payments, MSD will deduct the amount from your bank account on the due date each month.
- Payments made online before 5 p.m. on the due date count as on-time; after 5 p.m. they post the next business day.
Steps to Pay Your MSD Bill Online Right Now
Go to the MSD website and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Online Bill Pay" link on the homepage. Click it. You will see a page asking for your account number (found on your bill) and the amount you want to pay.
Enter your account number and the amount. Then choose your payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account. If you use a bank account, you will need your routing number and account number. If you use a card, you will need the card number, expiration date, and CVV.
Review the fee that will be added to your payment. The fee varies by payment method — bank transfers are cheapest. Click to confirm, and you will get a confirmation number on screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. MSD will also send a confirmation email to the address on file.
The payment posts to your account immediately. Your next bill will show the payment applied. If you pay after 5 p.m. on the due date, the payment will post the next business day, but MSD will not charge a late fee as long as the payment was submitted before midnight.
Setting Up Automatic Payments So You Never Miss a Due Date
MSD offers automatic payment through their website. This means the amount due will be withdrawn from your bank account on the due date each month without you having to log in and pay manually.
To set up automatic payments, go to the MSD website and find the "Autopay" or "Automatic Payment" option. Enter your account number, bank routing number, and account number. Choose whether you want to pay the full amount due or a fixed amount each month. Confirm your email address so MSD can send you a reminder before each payment.
You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through the same page. If your bill amount changes significantly, you can adjust the payment amount or switch back to manual payments. MSD will send you a notice before each automatic withdrawal.
Understanding the Fees for Online Payments
MSD does not charge a fee to pay your bill, but the third-party payment processor does. The fee depends on which payment method you choose and is added to your bill amount at checkout.
Bank account transfers (ACH payments) have the lowest fee, usually a flat amount or a small percentage of your bill. Debit card payments cost more — typically a percentage of the amount you are paying. Credit card payments cost the most because the processor pays a higher interchange fee to the credit card company.
If you want to avoid the fee, mail a check to the address on your bill or pay in person at the MSD office. Automatic payments from a bank account also avoid the fee because they are processed as ACH transfers, not card payments.
Other Ways to Pay Your MSD Bill If Online Does Not Work
If you do not have internet access or prefer not to pay online, MSD accepts payments by phone. Call the MSD customer service number on your bill. A representative will take your payment information over the phone. This method also charges a fee similar to online card payments.
You can mail a check or money order to the address printed on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail payments take 7 to 10 days to arrive and post to your account, so send it early if your due date is coming up.
MSD also has a payment drop box at their office at 2510 North Kingshighway in St. Louis. You can drop off a check or money order there during business hours without going inside. Call ahead to confirm the drop box location and hours.
What to Do If Your Online Payment Does Not Go Through
If your payment is declined, the most common reason is that your card or bank account information is incorrect or your card has expired. Check that you entered the routing number and account number correctly if you used a bank account. If you used a card, make sure the expiration date and CVV are current.
If the payment was declined because of insufficient funds, wait until the funds are available and try again. MSD will not charge you a late fee if you pay within a few days of the due date, but contact MSD customer service to confirm.
If you received a confirmation number but the payment still does not show on your bill after 24 hours, contact MSD with your confirmation number. They can look up the payment in the processor's system and confirm whether it went through. Keep your confirmation number until the payment appears on your next bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone else's MSD bill online?
No. The online payment system requires the account number, and only the account holder or someone authorized on the account can pay. If you need to pay for a family member or tenant, contact MSD customer service to ask about adding yourself as an authorized payer, or have the account holder set up automatic payments and give you the confirmation details.
Is it safe to enter my bank account number on the MSD website?
Yes. MSD uses encryption to protect your information, and the payment processor is a licensed third party. Your bank account number is only used to process the payment and is not stored on the MSD website. If you are still concerned, use a credit or debit card instead, or mail a check.
What time does MSD consider a payment on-time?
Payments submitted online before 5 p.m. on the due date are considered on-time. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. post the next business day. MSD does not charge a late fee if the payment posts within a few days of the due date, but contact them if you are concerned about timing.
Can I get a receipt for my online payment?
Yes. You will receive a confirmation number on screen immediately after you submit the payment, and MSD will email a receipt to the address on file. Save both the confirmation number and the email for your records. You can also log into your MSD account online to view payment history.
What happens if I pay too much by accident?
If you overpay, the extra amount will show as a credit on your next bill. MSD will apply the credit to your next month's charges. If you want a refund instead, contact MSD customer service with your confirmation number and they can process a refund to your original payment method.