How to Pay Your Water Bill in New York City

The three ways to pay your NYC water bill

New York City's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) lets you pay your water and sewer bill by mail, online, or by phone. Most people pay online through the DEP website because it takes five minutes and you can set it up to happen automatically each month. Mail and phone payment both work, but they take longer to process — mail can take two to three weeks, and phone payments go through a call center that may have a wait.

Your bill arrives by mail every three months, or you can view it anytime on the DEP website if you set up an account. The bill shows your account number, the amount due, and the due date. You will need one of these three pieces of information to pay: your account number, your service address, or your meter number. All three appear on your bill.

Key Takeaways

• Online payment through the DEP website is the fastest method and lets you pay when ready or set up automatic monthly payments.
• You need your account number, service address, or meter number to pay by any method — all three appear on your bill.
• Mail payment takes two to three weeks to reach the DEP, so pay early if your due date is approaching.
• Phone payment goes through the DEP's automated system or a representative, and a fee may explore depending on your payment method.
• Late payments trigger a 10 percent penalty plus interest, so paying by the due date matters even if you pay late.

Paying online through the DEP website

Go to on.nyc.gov/water-pay and enter your account number, service address, or meter number. The site will pull up your account and show your current balance and due date. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. Credit and debit cards charge a 2.5 percent processing fee; bank account transfers have no fee.

If you want to pay automatically each month, the DEP calls this "autopay." You set it up on the same website by linking your bank account. The DEP will withdraw the amount due on or shortly after your due date each billing cycle. You can change or cancel autopay anytime through your account. Autopay is the most common way New York City residents pay because you do not have to remember to pay and there is no processing fee.

The online system processes payments when ready, though the DEP may take one to two business days to post the payment to your account. If you are paying close to your due date, pay online rather than by mail.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to "New York City Department of Environmental Protection." Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address on your bill — this address changes based on which borough you live in, so check your bill rather than using an old envelope.

Mail payment takes two to three weeks to arrive and be processed. If your due date is within two weeks, do not mail your payment — use online or phone payment instead. The DEP considers a payment late if it arrives after the due date, even if you mailed it before.

Paying by phone

Call the DEP's payment line at 311 and say you want to pay a water bill. You will reach an automated system that accepts debit and credit card payments. The system charges a 2.5 percent fee for card payments. If you prefer to speak to a representative, stay on the line after the automated options and you will be transferred, though wait times vary.

Some third-party payment processors also accept NYC water bill payments by phone, but they charge higher fees — sometimes 3 to 4 percent. Stick with 311 or the DEP website to avoid extra charges.

What happens if you pay late

The DEP adds a 10 percent penalty to your bill if you do not pay by the due date. Interest also accrues at a rate set by New York State law, which changes yearly. A late payment stays on your account even after you pay it, so your next bill will show the penalty and interest charges.

If you fall behind on multiple bills, the DEP can place a lien on your property, meaning they have a legal claim against your home or building. This does not happen when ready — the DEP typically sends notices and offers a payment plan first. If you cannot pay, contact the DEP to ask about a payment arrangement before your account goes to lien status.

Setting up a payment plan if you owe back bills

If you owe more than one bill or cannot pay the full amount, call 311 and ask to speak to a DEP representative about a payment plan. The DEP will work with you to set up a schedule where you pay part of what you owe each month. You must stay current on new bills while you pay back what you owe, or the plan can be cancelled.

Payment plans do not erase the 10 percent penalty or interest, but they stop additional penalties from accruing as long as you make your scheduled payments on time. If you miss a payment on the plan, the DEP may resume collection action.

Finding your account number and due date

Your account number appears in the top right corner of your paper bill. If you do not have a bill in front of you, create an account on the DEP website at on.nyc.gov/water-account and log in with your service address. The site will show your current balance, due date, and billing history. You can also call 311 and provide your service address to get your account number and balance over the phone.

Your due date is always printed on your bill. Most bills are due 30 days after they are issued. If you set up autopay, the DEP will charge your account on or shortly after the due date each cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay someone else's water bill?

Yes. Use the online system or call 311 with the account number or service address of the person whose bill you want to pay. You do not need to be the account holder. Provide your own payment method — debit card, credit card, or bank account — and the payment will be applied to that account.

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

Online payments process when ready in the system, though the DEP may take one to two business days to post it to your account. Check your account on the DEP website after one business day. If it still does not appear, call 311 with your confirmation number from the payment and a representative can look it up.

Do I have to pay if I am disputing my bill?

Yes, you must pay by the due date even if you believe the bill is wrong. After you pay, you can file a dispute with the DEP. Call 311 to report a leak, high usage, or billing error, and the DEP will investigate. If they find an error, they will credit your account.

What if my water is shut off for non-payment?

The DEP shuts off water only in rare cases after many months of non-payment and failed collection attempts. If your water is shut off, call 311 when ready. You will need to pay the full amount owed plus a reconnection fee to restore service. The DEP may also require a deposit to prevent future shutoffs.

Can I change my due date?

No, the DEP sets due dates based on your billing cycle and does not allow you to change them. If you need more time to pay, call 311 and ask about a payment plan or extension before your due date passes.