How to Pay Your NYC Water Bill Online, by Mail, or in Person

Where to pay your New York City water bill

New York City's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) collects water and sewer charges. You can pay through the DEP's official website at nyc.gov/dep, by mail to the address on your bill, or in person at a DEP payment center. The fastest route is online, which processes when ready and gives you a confirmation number the same day.

Your bill arrives by mail roughly every three months. The due date is printed on the front, usually 30 days from the bill date. If you miss the due date, late charges and interest begin to accrue. Paying before the due date stops those charges from starting.

You do not need to create an account to pay online, though creating one lets you view past bills and set up automatic payments. The DEP does not charge a fee for online payment through their website.

Key Takeaways

• Pay online at nyc.gov/dep using your bill number and account number — no account creation required, and payment processes the same day.
• Mail payments to the address printed on your bill; allow 7 to 10 business days for the check to arrive and post to your account.
• Pay in person at a DEP payment center with cash, check, or debit card; locations and hours are listed on the DEP website.
• Late charges begin after the due date printed on your bill, so paying before that date stops additional fees from being added.
• Creating a free DEP account lets you set up automatic monthly payments and view your bill history online.

Paying online through the DEP website

Go to nyc.gov/dep and look for the "Pay Your Bill" link on the homepage. You will need your bill number (a 10-digit number on the front of your bill) and your account number. Enter both, then the amount you want to pay. The system accepts debit cards and bank account transfers.

After you submit payment, the DEP sends a confirmation number to your email or displays it on screen. Write down or save this number — it proves you paid. The payment posts to your account within one business day. If you pay after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, it may not post until the next business day.

If you want to pay the same amount every month without logging in each time, create a free DEP account during the payment process. Once your account is set up, you can turn on automatic payments and choose the date each month when the payment should be taken from your bank account or card.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order for the amount due. Do not send cash by mail. On the check, write your account number in the memo line so the DEP knows which bill the payment belongs to.

Mail the check to the address printed on your bill. That address changes depending on which DEP office handles your account, so always use the address on your bill, not a general city address. Include the payment coupon that came with your bill if you have it — it has your account number printed on it and speeds up processing.

Mail takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive. The DEP posts the payment to your account a few days after receiving it. If your due date is coming up soon, mail is slower than online payment and may not arrive in time to avoid late charges. Online payment is safer if you are close to the important date.

Paying in person at a DEP payment center

The DEP runs payment centers in each borough where you can pay with cash, check, or debit card. Bring your bill or your account number. A staff member will process your payment and give you a receipt on the spot.

Payment centers are located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Hours and exact addresses are listed on nyc.gov/dep under "Payment Centers." Most are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some have limited weekend hours. Call ahead or check the website to confirm hours before you go, because hours change seasonally.

Paying in person is useful if you do not have a bank account or prefer not to pay online. The payment posts to your account within one business day, the same as online payment.

Setting up automatic payments

Create a free account on the DEP website to set up automatic monthly payments. Go to nyc.gov/dep, select "Create Account," and enter your account number, service address, and email. The DEP will send you a confirmation email — click the link to finish setting up your account.

Once you are logged in, go to "Billing" and select "Automatic Payment." Choose the date each month when you want the payment taken from your bank account or card. The DEP will deduct the full amount due on that date. If your bill amount changes, the automatic payment adjusts to match.

You can pause or cancel automatic payments at any time by logging into your account and turning off the setting. There is no penalty for canceling. Automatic payment is useful if you want to avoid late charges without having to remember to pay each quarter.

What to do if you cannot pay the full amount

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact the DEP's Customer Service line at 311 (or 212-639-9675 from outside New York City). Explain your situation. The DEP may be able to set up a payment plan that lets you pay part of the bill now and the rest over several months.

Payment plans are not automatic — you have to request one before the bill becomes severely overdue. The sooner you call, the more options you have. If you wait until after the due date, late charges will have already been added to what you owe.

If your water service is shut off because of unpaid bills, you will need to pay the full amount owed plus a reconnection fee to restore service. Calling 311 before that happens is much faster and cheaper than dealing with a shutoff.

Understanding your bill and due dates

Your water bill shows the amount of water and sewer service you used during the billing period, which is usually three months. The bill date is when the DEP mailed it to you. The due date is 30 days after the bill date and is printed clearly on the front of your bill.

Late charges begin the day after the due date. The amount varies but is typically a percentage of what you owe. Interest also accrues on unpaid balances. These charges stack on top of your original bill, so a small unpaid bill can grow quickly.

If you move or change your mailing address, update it with the DEP so your bills go to the right place. You can update your address on nyc.gov/dep or by calling 311. If you do not receive a bill, it may be going to an old address — contact the DEP to confirm your current address on file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my NYC water bill with a credit card?

The DEP website accepts debit cards and bank account transfers but not credit cards. If you want to use a credit card, you can pay through a third-party payment processor, though they charge a fee. Check nyc.gov/dep for the current list of approved third-party processors and their fees.

What happens if I pay late?

Late charges and interest begin the day after your due date. If your bill remains unpaid for several months, the DEP can place a lien on your property or shut off your water service. Paying as soon as you can stops additional charges from building up. Call 311 if you need a payment plan.

How do I know if my payment went through?

Online payments show a confirmation number when ready after you submit them. Save this number. You can also log into your DEP account and check your payment history under "Billing." Payments usually post within one business day. If you paid by mail or in person, allow a few extra days for processing.

Can I pay someone else's water bill?

Yes, you can pay another person's bill if you have their account number and bill number. You do not need their permission to pay online. If you are paying in person or by mail, include the account number clearly so the payment goes to the right account.

What if I think my bill is wrong?

Contact the DEP's Customer Service at 311 or 212-639-9675 to dispute a bill. Explain what you think is incorrect. The DEP will review your account and meter reading. Do not ignore a bill you think is wrong — late charges still explore even if you are disputing the amount. Pay what you think is correct and explain the dispute when you call.