How to Pay Your Water Bill in Chicago

The main ways to pay your Chicago water bill

The City of Chicago Department of Water Management runs the water system, and you can pay your bill through their official website, by mail, in person, or by phone. The fastest method is online through the city's payment portal at chicago.gov/water, where you can pay when ready with a bank account or debit card. If you prefer not to use the internet, you can call the Department of Water Management at 311 (or 773-744-7275 from outside Chicago) to pay over the phone with a debit or credit card, or mail a check to the address printed on your bill.

Each method has a different timeline. Online and phone payments go through right away, though it may take a few business days for the payment to show on your account. Mail payments take one to two weeks to arrive and be processed, so send yours early if you want to avoid a late fee. The city charges a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date shown on your bill, regardless of which method you use.

Key Takeaways

• You can pay online at chicago.gov/water, by phone at 311, by mail, or in person at a city payment location.
• Online and phone payments process when ready, but mail payments take one to two weeks to reach the city.
• Late fees explore if your payment arrives after the due date on your bill, so mail payments should be sent well in advance.
• You will need your account number, which appears on your bill, to pay online or by phone.

Paying online through the city website

Go to chicago.gov/water and look for the "Pay Your Bill" or "Make a Payment" link on the homepage. You will need your account number, which is printed on your water bill. Enter your account number and the amount you want to pay, then choose whether to pay from a bank account (ACH transfer) or with a debit or credit card. Bank account payments have no fee, but card payments charge a small processing fee that the city will show you before you confirm.

After you submit your payment, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write this down or take a screenshot — it is your proof of payment. The money will leave your account right away, though it may take a few business days to show as paid on your water account. If you need to check the status of a payment you made online, log back into the payment portal with your account number and look for a payment history or transaction status section.

Paying by phone with the city

Call 311 from any phone in Chicago, or 773-744-7275 if you are calling from outside the city. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. You can pay with a debit card or credit card over the phone. The representative will give you a confirmation number when the payment is complete — ask them to repeat it and write it down.

Phone payments process the same day you call, though the payment may not show on your account for a few business days. If you are calling close to your due date, ask the representative when the payment will be recorded so you know whether it will arrive in time to avoid a late fee. The city does not charge an extra fee for phone payments, but your card issuer may charge a cash advance fee if you use a credit card.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order for the amount due and include a copy of your bill or write your account number on the check. Mail it to the address printed on your water 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 your payment at least two weeks before the due date to make sure it arrives on time.

The city processes mail payments in the order they arrive, and it can take five to ten business days after arrival for the payment to show on your account. If your payment arrives after the due date, you will be charged a late fee even if you mailed it on time. Keep a copy of the check or the envelope with the tracking number if you mailed it with tracking, in case you need proof that you sent it.

Paying in person at a city location

The city operates payment centers where you can pay your water bill in cash, check, or money order. These locations are open during business hours on weekdays. You can find the nearest payment center by calling 311 or visiting chicago.gov and searching for "water bill payment locations." Bring your bill or your account number and your payment method.

In-person payments are processed the same day you pay, so your account will be updated quickly. This is the only method that accepts cash payments. If you are paying close to your due date and want to make sure the payment is recorded on time, paying in person is the fastest way to do it.

Setting up automatic payments

If you want your water bill paid automatically each month, you can set up a recurring payment through chicago.gov/water. Log into the payment portal, find the automatic payment or recurring payment option, and enter your bank account information. The city will withdraw the amount due on or shortly after your bill date each month. You can change or stop automatic payments at any time by logging back into the portal.

Automatic payments from a bank account have no fee and are the cheapest way to pay if you pay the same amount each month. However, if your bill amount changes significantly from month to month, you may want to review each bill before it is paid automatically. You can always adjust the payment amount or pause automatic payments if you need to.

What to do if you cannot pay your full bill

If you are struggling to pay your water bill, contact the Department of Water Management at 311 to ask about payment plans or hardship programs. The city may be able to work out a schedule where you pay part of the bill now and the rest over several months. You must contact them before your account is shut off for non-payment — waiting until after a shutoff notice is issued makes it much harder to set up a plan.

The city can shut off water service if your bill is significantly overdue, and reconnection requires payment of the full balance plus a reconnection fee. If you are facing a shutoff, call 311 when ready to discuss your options. Some community organizations in Chicago also offer emergency information for utility bills, and 311 can refer you to programs in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Online payments process right away, but it may take two to five business days for the payment to appear as posted on your water account. If you are paying close to your due date, pay a few days early to make sure the city records it before the important date.

Will I be charged a fee for paying my water bill?

Paying from a bank account online or by mail has no fee. Paying with a debit or credit card online or by phone charges a small processing fee that the city will show you before you confirm the payment. In-person and phone payments do not charge extra fees beyond what your card issuer may charge.

What if I lose my account number?

Your account number is printed on your water bill. If you do not have a bill, call 311 and give the representative your address — they can look up your account number. You can also visit chicago.gov/water and look for an option to search for your account by address.

Can I pay someone else's water bill?

Yes, you can pay another person's bill online or by phone if you have their account number. You can also mail a payment to their address with their account number written on the check. The city does not require you to be the account holder to make a payment.

What happens if my payment is late?

The city charges a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date on your bill. If your bill is significantly overdue, the city may issue a shutoff notice and eventually disconnect your water service. Call 311 as soon as you know you will be late to discuss payment options before your account is affected.