How to Pay Your New York City Water Bill

The three ways to pay your NYC water bill

New York City's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) accepts water bill payments through three main channels: online through their official website, by phone, or by mail. Most people pay online because it takes five minutes and you can see your balance when ready. Phone payment works the same day but requires speaking to someone. Mail is slowest — allow 10 business days for the payment to reach DEP and post to your account.

Your bill arrives every three months, and DEP sends it to the address on your account. If you rent, your landlord may pay the water bill directly, so check your lease or ask before you pay. If you own the property, you are responsible. The bill shows your account number, the amount due, and the due date — usually 30 days from the bill date.

Key Takeaways

• Pay online at nyc.gov/dep using your account number and either a bank account or credit card, and the payment posts within one business day.
• Pay by phone at 311 or 1-800-698-2311 with your account number and payment method ready, and confirm the confirmation number before you hang up.
• Pay by mail by sending a check or money order to the address printed on your bill, but allow 10 business days for processing.
• Your account number appears on your bill and is required for all payment methods; without it, DEP cannot match your payment to your account.
• If your bill is overdue, DEP may add a late fee and eventually place a lien on your property, so paying within 30 days avoids extra charges.

Paying online through the DEP website

Go to nyc.gov/dep and look for the "Pay Your Water Bill" link on the homepage. Click it and you will land on a payment portal. Enter your account number (found on your bill) and your service address. The system will pull up your current balance and due date.

Choose your payment method: bank account (ACH transfer) or credit/debit card. Bank account transfers are free and take one business day to post. Credit and debit card payments charge a fee — the amount varies by card type and is shown before you confirm. Enter the payment amount, review the details, and submit. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Save both.

If you do not have your account number, you can search by service address instead, but having the number speeds things up. The payment posts to your account within one business day on weekdays. If you pay on a Friday evening, expect it to show on Monday.

Paying by phone through 311 or the DEP hotline

Call 311 from any phone in New York City and say "water bill payment." You will be transferred to DEP. From outside the city, call 1-800-698-2311. Have your account number and payment method ready before you call — the representative will ask for both.

Tell the representative your account number and the amount you want to pay. They will confirm your service address and current balance. Then provide your bank account information (routing and account number) or credit/debit card details. The representative will read back all details before processing. Write down the confirmation number they give you — you will need it if there is ever a dispute.

Phone payments process the same day you call, though the posting to your account may take one business day. If you call after 5 p.m. or on a weekend, your payment will be processed the next business day.

Paying by mail with a check or money order

Write a check or money order for the amount shown on your bill. On the back of the check, write your account number. Place the check and your bill stub (or a copy of it) in an envelope and mail it to the address printed on your bill. This address changes based on your borough, so use the one on your specific bill, not a general DEP address.

Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive at DEP and another few days to post to your account. If your bill is due in fewer than 10 days, do not mail a check — use online or phone payment instead. If you are mailing from outside New York, add extra time.

Keep a copy of your bill and a record of when you mailed the check. If the payment does not post within two weeks, call 311 to confirm DEP received it.

What happens if you miss the due date

DEP charges a late fee if your payment does not arrive by the due date on your bill. The fee amount is set by the city and appears on your next bill. If you are more than 30 days late, DEP may send a notice of violation and begin collection efforts. If you are more than 60 days late, DEP can place a lien on your property, which affects your ability to sell or refinance.

If you cannot pay by the due date, contact DEP before the date passes. Call 311 and ask about a payment plan. DEP offers arrangements for people who cannot pay in full, though you must request one before you are significantly overdue. The sooner you contact them, the more options you have.

Finding your account number and bill information

Your account number is printed on your water bill in the upper right corner. It is an eight-digit number. If you cannot find your bill, you can look up your account on nyc.gov/dep by entering your service address. The system will show your account number, current balance, and billing history.

If you have recently moved into a building, the bill may still be under the previous owner's or tenant's name. Contact DEP to transfer the account to your name. You will need proof of occupancy (a lease, deed, or utility bill in your name). Until the account is transferred, you are not legally responsible for the bill, but DEP may still send notices to the address on file.

Setting up automatic payments

You can set up automatic payments through the DEP website so your bill is paid on a schedule you choose. Go to nyc.gov/dep, log into your account, and select "Automatic Payment" or "Recurring Payment." Choose your payment method (bank account only; credit cards are not available for autopay) and the date each month you want the payment to go out.

Automatic payments use your bank account and charge no fee. You can change or cancel the arrangement anytime by logging back into your account. If your bill amount changes (which it does every three months), the automatic payment will adjust to match your new bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay someone else's water bill?

Yes. You need their account number and service address. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail using the same methods described above. The payment will post to their account. You do not need to be the account holder.

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

Check your confirmation email to confirm the payment was submitted. If it was, wait one business day for it to post. If it has been more than two business days, call 311 with your confirmation number and ask DEP to trace the payment. Do not pay again until you confirm the first payment was not processed.

Do I have to pay if my water is shut off?

Yes. A water shutoff happens when your account is severely overdue (usually 60+ days). To restore service, you must pay the full amount owed plus a reconnection fee. Call 311 to arrange payment and schedule a reconnection visit.

Can I dispute a charge on my water bill?

Yes. Call 311 and explain the issue. DEP will investigate unusual usage or billing errors. If they find an error, they will adjust your bill. If they find no error, you still owe the amount, but you can request a payment plan.

What if I receive a bill for a property I do not own anymore?

Contact DEP when ready with proof that you no longer own the property (a deed transfer or closing documents). DEP will transfer the account to the new owner. Until the transfer is complete, you may receive notices, but you are not responsible for bills after your ownership ended.