How to Pay Your Baltimore Water Bill Online and by Mail

Where to pay your Baltimore water bill

Baltimore's water and sewer bills are managed by the Department of Public Works (DPW). You can pay online through their official website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The online portal is the fastest route — you can pay when ready without waiting for mail delivery or phone hold times.

The official Baltimore DPW bill pay website is bills.baltimorecity.gov. This is the only site run directly by the city for water payments. You will need your account number, which appears on your bill, and a valid payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account).

If you do not have internet access or prefer not to pay online, you can call the DPW customer service line at 410-396-5398 during business hours to pay by phone with a debit or credit card. Payment by phone typically processes the same day.

Key Takeaways

• Pay online at bills.baltimorecity.gov using your account number and a debit card, credit card, or bank account information.
• Phone payments through 410-396-5398 process the same day but may carry a convenience fee depending on your payment method.
• Mail payments should be sent to the address on your bill and take 7 to 10 business days to reach the city and post to your account.
• In-person payments at DPW payment centers accept cash, check, and card, and post to your account within one business day.
• Late fees and service disconnection begin after 30 days of non-payment, so contact DPW when ready if you cannot pay on time.

Online payment through the Baltimore DPW portal

To pay online, go to bills.baltimorecity.gov and enter your account number. Your account number is a 10-digit number printed on your bill, usually near the top left. You will also need the amount of your bill or the amount you want to pay — you can pay the full balance or a partial amount.

The portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards, as well as direct bank account transfers (ACH). If you pay by card, a convenience fee applies — the amount varies but is typically 2 to 3 percent of your payment. Bank account transfers usually have no fee or a much smaller fee. The portal will show you the fee before you confirm payment.

Payments made online before 5 p.m. on a business day typically post to your account the same day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. You will receive a confirmation number when ready after payment — save this for your records.

Paying by phone or mail

To pay by phone, call 410-396-5398 and have your account number and payment method ready. A customer service representative will process your payment over the phone. This method works the same day but may take longer than online payment because you are waiting in a queue. The phone line is open during standard business hours, which vary by season.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to "Baltimore City" and include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address printed on your bill — this address changes depending on which billing cycle you are on, so always use the address on your current bill, not an old one. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account, so send payment at least two weeks before your due date if you want to avoid late fees.

Do not send cash by mail. If you need to pay in cash, use an in-person payment center or call to ask about other options.

In-person payment at DPW centers

The Department of Public Works operates payment centers in Baltimore where you can pay in person with cash, check, or card. The main payment center is located at 100 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Hours and additional center locations change, so call 410-396-5398 to confirm the location and hours before you go.

Bring your bill or account number and your payment method. In-person payments post to your account within one business day. This method is useful if you need to pay when ready and do not have online access, or if you prefer to pay in cash.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your bill is not paid by the due date, a late fee is added to your account. The amount of the late fee depends on your bill amount but is typically a percentage of the unpaid balance. After 30 days of non-payment, the city may issue a notice of intent to disconnect your water service. This notice gives you a window to pay before the water is shut off.

If your water is disconnected, you must pay the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee to restore service. Reconnection fees vary but are separate from your regular bill. If you cannot pay your full bill, contact DPW when ready to discuss payment options — the city sometimes offers payment plans for customers facing hardship.

To avoid disconnection, call 410-396-5398 as soon as you know you will be late. Explain your situation and ask whether a payment plan is available. Acting before the 30-day mark gives you more options than waiting until a disconnection notice arrives.

Setting up automatic payments

The Baltimore DPW portal allows you to set up automatic recurring payments from your bank account. This means your bill will be paid on a schedule you choose — for example, on the due date each month — without you having to log in each time. To set this up, log into bills.baltimorecity.gov, find the autopay or recurring payment option, and enter your bank account information.

Automatic payments reduce the risk of missing a due date and late fees. You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through the portal. If you set up autopay and your bill amount changes (for example, during summer when water use is higher), the autopay amount will not automatically adjust — you will need to update it manually or pay the difference separately.

Understanding your bill and due dates

Baltimore water bills are issued monthly and are due 20 days after the bill date. Your bill shows the bill date, due date, and account number clearly at the top. The bill also shows your water usage, sewer charges, and any other fees or adjustments. If you do not receive a bill, you can view it online at bills.baltimorecity.gov by logging in with your account number.

Bills are mailed to the address on file with DPW. If you move, update your address with the city so bills reach you on time. You can update your address by calling 410-396-5398 or through the online portal if your account is set up there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my Baltimore water bill online?

Yes, if you pay by credit or debit card. The fee is typically 2 to 3 percent of your payment amount and is shown before you confirm. Bank account transfers (ACH) usually have no fee or a much smaller fee. Paying by mail, phone, or in person does not include a convenience fee.

How long does it take for my payment to show up on my account?

Online and phone payments post the same day if made before 5 p.m. on a business day. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days. In-person payments post within one business day. Always allow extra time if you are paying close to your due date.

Can I pay someone else's Baltimore water bill?

Yes, you can pay another person's bill if you have their account number. You do not need to be the account holder. Online, by phone, or in person, provide the account number and the amount you want to pay. The payment will post to that account.

What should I do if I think my bill is wrong?

Contact DPW customer service at 410-396-5398 to dispute the amount. Have your bill and account number ready. Do not ignore the bill while disputing it — continue making payments to avoid late fees and disconnection. DPW will investigate and adjust your account if an error is found.

Can I get on a payment plan if I cannot pay my full bill?

Contact DPW at 410-396-5398 to discuss your situation. The city may offer a payment plan or other options for customers facing hardship. Call before you miss a payment if possible — you will have more options than if you wait until a disconnection notice arrives.