How to Pay Your Baltimore City Water Bill

Ways to pay your Baltimore City water bill

Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) accepts water bill payments through four main channels: online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at payment centers. Each method has different processing times and fees, so the fastest route depends on when your payment is due and whether you want to set up automatic payments.

The online portal at bwwaterworks.org is the most common method. You can pay a one-time bill, set up automatic monthly payments, or make a partial payment. Online payments typically post within one to two business days. Phone payments go through the same system and process at the same speed, but you speak to a representative who enters your information.

Mail and in-person payments take longer to reach your account. Mail payments should arrive at least 10 business days before your due date to may support they post on time. In-person payments at DPW payment centers post the same day you pay, but you must visit during business hours.

Key Takeaways

• Online payment through bwwaterworks.org and phone payment both post within one to two business days and have no additional fees.
• Automatic monthly payments can be set up online or by phone and remove the need to remember your due date each month.
• In-person payments at DPW payment centers post the same day, but mail payments need 10 business days to reach your account before the due date.
• Your account number appears on your bill and is required for all payment methods.

Online payment through the Baltimore water portal

Go to bwwaterworks.org and select "Pay My Bill" from the homepage. You will need your account number, which is printed on your water bill, and either your service address or the phone number associated with your account. The site will display your current balance, due date, and payment history.

Enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full balance, a partial amount, or set up a recurring monthly payment. The portal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers. Credit and debit card payments may include a processing fee charged by the payment processor; the exact amount appears before you confirm. Bank account payments typically have no fee.

After you submit payment, you receive a confirmation number on screen. Save or print this number for your records. The payment posts to your account within one to two business days. If you set up automatic payments, they will process on the same day each month unless you cancel them through your account.

Phone payment and setting up autopay

Call the DPW Customer Service line at 410-396-5398 to pay by phone. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or bank account information. Like online payments, credit and debit card payments may include a processing fee.

You can also set up automatic monthly payments by phone. The representative will arrange for a fixed amount to be withdrawn from your bank account or charged to your card on the same date each month. Automatic payments continue until you cancel them by calling customer service again or logging into your online account.

Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Payments made by phone post within one to two business days, the same as online payments. Keep your confirmation number from the representative for your records.

In-person payment at DPW payment centers

Baltimore City operates payment centers where you can pay your water bill in cash, check, or money order. The main payment center is located at 100 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Hours vary by location, so check the DPW website for the center nearest you and its current hours before you visit.

Bring your account number or your water bill with you. If you pay by check or money order, make it payable to "Baltimore City DPW." Cash payments are accepted but you will not receive a receipt mailed to you — ask for a receipt at the counter. Payments made in person post to your account the same day.

Some utility payment centers and check-cashing services in Baltimore neighborhoods also accept water bill payments on behalf of DPW. These locations may charge a small fee and may have different hours. Call 410-396-5398 to confirm whether a specific location near you accepts water payments.

Mail payment and payment timing

Mail your check or money order to the address printed on your water bill. Make the check payable to "Baltimore City DPW" and include your account number on the check. Mail payments typically take 5 to 10 business days to arrive at DPW and another few days to post to your account, so send payment at least 10 business days before your due date to avoid a late fee.

Write your account number on the envelope as well as on the check. If your payment arrives after the due date, DPW may assess a late fee. Late fees are added to your next bill. If you are unsure whether your payment will arrive on time, use online or phone payment instead, which post within one to two business days.

Late payments and what happens if you miss a due date

If your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your bill, DPW adds a late fee to your account. The amount of the late fee depends on your balance and is shown on your next bill. Continued non-payment can result in service disconnection after a notice period.

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, you can make a partial payment through any method. Partial payments reduce your balance and may delay a late fee, but they do not eliminate it if the full amount is not paid by the due date. Contact DPW customer service at 410-396-5398 to discuss payment arrangements if you are having difficulty paying.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my account number?

Your account number is printed on your water bill in the upper right corner or near the top of the page. It is usually a 10-digit number. You can also find it by logging into bwwaterworks.org or by calling 410-396-5398.

Is there a fee to pay online or by phone?

Online and phone payments have no fee if you pay from a bank account. Credit and debit card payments include a processing fee that varies by card type and is shown before you confirm payment. In-person and mail payments have no fee.

Can I pay someone else's water bill?

Yes. You can pay online or by phone using the account number of the property you want to pay for. You do not need to be the account holder. In person, bring the account number or bill for the property and pay the amount owed.

What if I pay online but my payment does not show up?

Online payments post within one to two business days. If more than two business days have passed and the payment does not appear in your account, call 410-396-5398 with your confirmation number. A representative can look up the payment and confirm it was received.

Can I set up automatic payments and then cancel them?

Yes. You can cancel automatic payments at any time by logging into bwwaterworks.org, going to your account settings, and removing the automatic payment. You can also call 410-396-5398 to cancel by phone. Cancellation takes effect within one to two business days.