How to Pay Your Water Bill in Philadelphia

Where to pay your Philadelphia water bill

The City of Philadelphia's Water Department operates the billing and payment system for residential and commercial water accounts. You can pay your bill through the Water Department's official website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. Each method has different processing times and requirements.

The fastest way to pay is online through the Water Department's bill pay portal at water.phila.gov. You can set up a one-time payment or enroll in automatic monthly payments. Phone payments go through the same system and are processed the same day you call. Mail and in-person payments take longer to post to your account because they require manual processing.

Key Takeaways

• Online and phone payments through the Water Department process the same day, while mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to appear on your account.
• You will need your account number, which appears on your bill or can be found by entering your address on the Water Department website.
• Automatic monthly payments can be set up through the website and will deduct from your bank account on the same date each month.
• If your bill is overdue, the Water Department may place a lien on your property or shut off service, so paying before the due date listed on your bill is important.

Paying online through the Water Department website

Go to water.phila.gov and select the bill pay option. You will need your account number and the amount you want to pay. The site accepts payments from a bank account (ACH transfer) or debit card. Credit card payments are not accepted online. Enter your bank routing number and account number, or your debit card details, and confirm the payment amount.

Online payments process when ready and post to your account the same day. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Keep this confirmation number in case you need to reference the payment later. If you do not receive a confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam folder or log back into your account to verify the payment went through.

Paying by phone

Call the Water Department's payment line at 215-685-6300. Have your account number and bank account or debit card information ready. The automated system will walk you through entering your payment amount and confirming your bank details. You can also speak to a representative if you prefer to give your information verbally, though wait times vary depending on call volume.

Phone payments process the same day and post to your account within 24 hours. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call. Write this down or take a photo of your screen. The Water Department's phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Paying by mail or in person

To pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address printed on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to process and post to your account. Do not send cash through the mail. If you are paying close to your due date, mail is the slowest option and may result in a late fee even if your check arrives before the important date.

To pay in person, visit a Water Department payment center. The main office is located at 1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can pay with cash, check, or debit card. In-person payments post to your account within one business day. Some neighborhood locations also accept payments; check the Water Department website for the full list of payment centers and their hours.

Setting up automatic monthly payments

Automatic payments remove the need to remember your due date each month. Log into your account on water.phila.gov, select the autopay option, and enter your bank account or debit card information. Choose the date each month when you want the payment to come out of your account. The Water Department will deduct the full amount due on that date.

You can change or stop automatic payments at any time through your online account. If your bill amount changes, the autopay will deduct the new amount on your next scheduled payment date. If you want to make a one-time payment in addition to your autopay, you can do that through the website or phone without affecting your automatic schedule.

What happens if you do not pay on time

Your water bill is due on the date printed on your bill, usually 30 days from the billing date. If payment is not received by that date, the Water Department charges a late fee. After 60 days past due, the Water Department may shut off your water service. The shut-off process begins with a notice on your property, followed by actual service termination if payment is not made.

If your account is significantly overdue, the Water Department can place a lien on your property, which means the city has a legal claim against your home. This lien can affect your ability to sell or refinance your property. If you are having trouble paying your bill, contact the Water Department to discuss payment plans or other options before your account falls too far behind.

Finding your account number and bill information

Your account number appears on your water bill in the upper right corner. If you do not have a recent bill, you can find your account number by visiting water.phila.gov and entering your street address. The website will display your account number and current balance. You can also call 215-685-6300 and provide your address to a representative, who will give you your account number over the phone.

If you have recently moved into a Philadelphia property and have not received a bill yet, contact the Water Department to set up your account. You will need to provide proof of residency, such as a lease or deed, and the date you moved in. The Water Department will assign you an account number and send your first bill within 30 to 45 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my water bill with a credit card?

No. The Water Department's online system accepts only bank account transfers (ACH) and debit cards. Phone and in-person payments also do not accept credit cards. If you want to use a credit card, you would need to pay through a third-party bill pay service offered by your bank, though this may add processing fees.

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

Online and phone payments post the same day. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days. In-person payments at a payment center post within one business day. If you are paying close to your due date, online or phone payment is the safest option to avoid late fees.

What if I pay my bill but my water gets shut off anyway?

This can happen if your payment has not yet posted to your account when the shut-off occurs. If you paid by mail or in person, there may be a delay. Call the Water Department when ready at 215-685-6300 with your confirmation number to verify the payment was received. They can often restore service the same day once they confirm payment.

Can I set up a payment plan if I cannot pay my full bill?

Yes. Contact the Water Department at 215-685-6300 to discuss a payment plan. The department works with customers who are behind on payments to set up a schedule that fits their situation. You must contact them before your account is shut off to have the best options available.

Do I need to create an online account to pay my bill?

No. You can pay without creating an account by using the one-time payment option on water.phila.gov or by calling 215-685-6300. Creating an account is optional but allows you to view your balance, set up autopay, and access your payment history at any time.