What is a convenience fee?
A convenience fee is a charge in addition to the original transaction amount for the convenience of being
able to use an alternate payment method. Payment made through your banking services are not charged a fee by Southern Water Management. Contact your banking service for details on their Bill Pay Services.
To what types of payments will the convenience fee apply?
The convenience fee will apply to payments made using Visa, MasterCard, or the electronic
check (E-Check) services.
Why is a convenience fee now being charged?
Southern & Midwest Water Management (SWM) can no longer absorb the increasing merchant banking
services fees. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards requires that organizations meet
specific data protection levels depending on the number of monthly transactions. The cost to protect
customers’ financial information while submitting a payment is costly and technologically challenging.
SWM hired a professional payment processing company to manage the credit card acceptance program.
Who is charging the customer the convenience fee?
The convenience fee is being charged to offset the credit card and E-Check application host vendor to
cover credit card transaction costs. For our customers’ security, Southern Water Management only uses
the most secure third-party processing.
Why is a convenience fee being charged to customers who pay using these payment methods?
A convenience fee is being charged to cover the costs that merchant banking service providers charge
vendors to allow customers to pay for services using a credit card or the e-check services.
How much is the convenience fee?
Credit card payment – When using a credit card to make a payment, a convenience fee of $4.00 will be
charged for each payment of $228 or less. For payments over $228, using a credit card, a 1.75% fee will
be assessed on the total payment submitted. E-Check services – A single $1.00 convenience fee will be
charged for a payment up to $100. For E-Checks over $100 a 1 % fee will be assessed on the total payment submitted.
What is the limit to the amount that can be paid using a credit card or E-Check services?
No amount limit has been set for the use of a credit card or E-Check services.
To what payment methods will the convenience fee apply?
The convenience fee will be assessed for the use of Visa, MasterCard, or E-Check payments made
through the following channels: online, over the phone with the help of a Customer Service
Representative.
