How to Pay Your Metro Bill Online and by Phone

What My Metro Pay My Bill does

My Metro Pay My Bill is Metro's online and phone payment system that lets you pay your water, sewer, and stormwater bill without mailing a check or visiting a payment location in person. You can set up a one-time payment, schedule recurring payments, and see your account balance and payment history all in one place.

The system is run by Metro, the regional government agency that provides water service to the Portland, Oregon area. You do not need to create a separate account — you use your Metro customer number and account information to log in.

Payment methods include bank account transfers (called ACH), debit card, and credit card. Bank transfers usually have no fee, while card payments typically charge a small processing fee that varies depending on which card type you use.

Key Takeaways

• You can pay your Metro bill online at metrowater.org or by phone at 503-823-7525 without setting up a new account.
• Bank account transfers (ACH) usually have no fee, while debit and credit card payments charge a processing fee set by the payment processor, not Metro.
• You can schedule payments in advance so your bill is paid automatically on a date you choose each month.
• Payment confirmation appears when ready after you submit, and you can view your payment history anytime by logging into your account.

Paying online through the Metro website

Go to metrowater.org and look for the "Pay My Bill" link on the homepage. You will need your Metro customer number, which appears on your printed bill in the upper right corner. If you do not have your bill handy, you can also use your service address to look up your account.

Once you enter your customer number, the system shows your current balance and due date. You then choose your payment method: bank account, debit card, or credit card. If you pay by bank transfer, you enter your routing number and account number. For card payments, you enter the card details and billing address.

Before you confirm, the system shows you the exact amount you are paying, any fees that explore, and the date the payment will process. Review this information carefully — once you submit, the payment is sent when ready for bank transfers, or on the date you select if you are scheduling it ahead.

Paying by phone

Call Metro's payment line at 503-823-7525. A representative or automated system will ask for your customer number and the amount you want to pay. Have your bank account information or card details ready.

Phone payments process the same way as online payments — bank transfers usually have no fee, and card payments charge a processing fee. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call. Write it down or take a photo, because you will need it if you ever need to look up the payment later.

The phone line is open during Metro's business hours. If you call outside those hours, you may reach an automated system that lets you leave a callback request or proceed with a recorded payment.

Setting up automatic recurring payments

If you want your bill paid the same way every month without having to log in each time, you can set up autopay through My Metro Pay My Bill. Choose your payment method and the date you want the payment to go out each month — most people pick a few days after they receive their bill or a few days before the due date.

Metro will charge your account on that date every billing cycle. You can change or cancel autopay anytime by logging back into your account or calling 503-823-7525. If your bill amount changes, the new amount will be charged automatically — you do not need to update anything.

Autopay is useful if you want to avoid late fees and do not want to remember to pay each month. However, you should still check your bill when it arrives to make sure the amount is correct, in case there is a leak or other issue that changed your charges.

Understanding payment fees

Metro itself does not charge a fee for paying your bill. However, if you pay by debit card or credit card, the payment processor charges a fee that gets added to your payment. This fee is typically between 2 and 3 percent of the amount you are paying, though the exact percentage depends on the card type.

Bank account transfers (ACH) almost never have a fee, which is why they are the cheapest way to pay if you have a checking or savings account. If you are paying a large bill and want to avoid the card fee, using your bank account is the better choice.

The fee appears on your confirmation screen before you submit the payment, so you know the total cost before you commit. Some people choose to pay by card anyway if they want to earn credit card rewards, but you should do the math to make sure the rewards are worth more than the fee.

What to do if your payment does not go through

If your bank transfer or card payment is declined, the system will tell you when ready and explain why — usually because the card expired, the account has insufficient funds, or the address does not match the card issuer's records. Do not try the same payment method again right away, because multiple attempts can trigger fraud blocks.

Instead, try a different payment method. If you tried a card, use your bank account. If your bank account was declined, call your bank to ask why before trying again. If the issue is a closed or expired card, update your card information and try again.

If you are having trouble and your bill is due soon, you can also pay in person at a Metro payment location or by mailing a check. Call 503-823-7525 to ask for the nearest payment location or to request a mailing address.

Viewing your payment history and account details

Once you log into My Metro Pay My Bill, you can see all your past payments, upcoming bills, and your current balance. The system keeps a record of every payment you have made through the online system, including the date, amount, and confirmation number.

This history is useful if you need to prove you paid a bill, if you are disputing a charge, or if you just want to track your water usage and costs over time. You can also read or print your payment history from your account.

If you notice a payment is missing or incorrect, contact Metro directly at 503-823-7525 with your confirmation number. Do not assume the payment did not go through just because it is not showing up when ready — bank transfers can take one to three business days to appear in your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Metro bill without creating an online account?

Yes. You can pay by phone at 503-823-7525 without logging in, or you can pay online without creating a saved account — you just enter your customer number and payment information each time. However, creating an account lets you save your payment methods and set up autopay, which saves time if you pay regularly.

What if I do not have a bank account and can only pay by card?

You can pay by debit or credit card through My Metro Pay My Bill, though you will pay a processing fee. If the fee is a burden, ask Metro about other payment options — some utilities offer payment plans or in-person payment at no cost for people without bank accounts.

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

Card payments usually show within one business day. Bank transfers (ACH) typically take one to three business days. If you are paying by phone or online, you get a confirmation number when ready, but the actual money may not leave your account or reach Metro for a few days depending on your bank.

Can I cancel a payment after I submit it?

It depends on the payment method and how quickly you act. Card payments usually cannot be cancelled once submitted. Bank transfers can sometimes be cancelled within a few hours if you call your bank when ready. Call Metro at 503-823-7525 right away if you need to cancel — they may be able to help depending on the timing.

What should I do if I think my payment was charged twice?

Check your payment history in My Metro Pay My Bill and your bank or card statement to confirm whether you were actually charged twice or if one payment is still processing. If you see two charges, call Metro at 503-823-7525 with both confirmation numbers and they can investigate and issue a refund if needed.