How to Pay Your Philadelphia Water Bill Online and by Mail

The fastest way to pay your Philadelphia water bill

You can pay your Philadelphia Water Department bill online through their official website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The online method is fastest — you can pay when ready using a bank account or debit card, and the payment posts within one to two business days. The Water Department's website is water.phila.gov, and you'll need your account number, which appears on your bill.

If you prefer not to use a computer, you can call the Water Department's automated phone line at 215-685-6300 to pay by phone with a debit or credit card. There is a convenience fee for phone payments. You can also mail a check or money order to the address on your bill, though mail payments take longer to reach the department and post to your account.

Key Takeaways

• Online payment through water.phila.gov is the fastest method and posts within one to two business days with no convenience fee.
• Phone payments at 215-685-6300 are when ready but carry a convenience fee charged by the payment processor.
• Mail payments require you to include your account number and allow extra time for delivery and processing.
• The Water Department accepts partial payments, so you can pay less than the full amount due without penalty.
• If your bill is overdue, you can still pay online or by phone without setting up a payment plan.

Paying online through the Water Department website

Go to water.phila.gov and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment" link on the homepage. You will need your account number, which is printed on your bill in the upper right corner. Enter your account number and the amount you want to pay — you do not have to pay the full balance if you don't want to.

The website will ask you to choose a payment method: bank account (ACH transfer) or debit card. Bank account payments have no fee and take one to two business days to post. Debit card payments also have no fee through the Water Department's official site, though some third-party payment platforms may charge a fee — stick to the Water Department's own website to avoid this.

After you submit your payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Keep this for your records. The Water Department will send you a receipt by email if you provide an email address during checkout.

Paying by phone

Call 215-685-6300 to reach the Water Department's automated payment line. Have your account number and a debit or credit card ready. The system will walk you through entering your account number, the amount to pay, and your card information. Payments made by phone post when ready, though they may not show on your online account for a few hours.

The Water Department charges a convenience fee for phone payments — this fee is added to your payment and charged to your card. The exact amount varies but is typically a few dollars. If you want to avoid the fee, use the online method instead.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order for the amount you owe and mail it to the address printed on your bill. Always include your account number on the check or in a note with your payment — without it, the Water Department may not know which account to credit. Mail your payment at least one week before your due date to account for delivery time.

The Water Department's mailing address is typically listed on your bill as the payment address. Do not mail cash. Once the Water Department receives your check, it takes an additional two to five business days to process and post to your account, so plan ahead if you are close to a due date.

In-person payment at Water Department locations

You can pay in person at the Water Department's main office or payment centers in Philadelphia. Payments made in person post to your account the same day. Bring your bill or account number and cash, check, or debit card — most locations do not accept credit cards for in-person payments.

The main Water Department office is located at 1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Hours and additional payment center locations are listed on water.phila.gov. Call 215-685-6300 if you need the address and hours of the location nearest you.

What to do if you miss a due date

If your bill becomes overdue, you can still pay online, by phone, or by mail without any special process. The Water Department does not require you to set up a payment plan for a single missed payment. However, if your account falls significantly behind — typically 60 days or more — the Water Department may add a late fee and eventually shut off your water service.

If you are having trouble paying your bill, contact the Water Department at 215-685-6300 to ask about payment plans or hardship programs. The city also runs information programs for households with low income that may help cover water bills. These programs are separate from the Water Department itself, so ask the Water Department staff for a referral.

Setting up automatic payments

You can set up automatic monthly payments through the Water Department's website so you don't have to remember to pay each month. Log into your account on water.phila.gov, look for the "Autopay" or "Automatic Payment" option, and choose whether you want to pay the full bill amount or a set dollar amount each month.

Automatic payments are deducted from your bank account on or shortly after your due date. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your online account. If you set up autopay and your bill amount changes, the automatic payment will still deduct the amount you specified — so if your bill goes up, you may owe the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Philadelphia water bill with a credit card?

The Water Department's official website and in-person payment centers do not accept credit cards. You can use a debit card online or by phone, or pay with a check, money order, or cash. Some third-party bill payment services may accept credit cards, but you will likely pay a processing fee.

How long does it take for my online payment to show up?

Online payments made through bank account transfer (ACH) typically post within one to two business days. Debit card payments may post the same day or within 24 hours. If you need the payment to post when ready, pay in person at a Water Department office.

What if I pay more than I owe?

If you overpay your bill, the extra amount becomes a credit on your account and will be applied to your next bill. You can also request a refund of the overpayment by calling 215-685-6300, though processing a refund may take several weeks.

Do I have to pay the full amount due each month?

No. You can pay any amount toward your bill, including partial payments. However, if you do not pay the full amount by the due date, you may be charged a late fee on the remaining balance. The Water Department will continue to bill you for the unpaid portion.

What happens if I don't pay my water bill?

If your account falls 60 or more days behind, the Water Department may add late fees and eventually shut off your water service. Once service is shut off, you must pay the full amount owed plus a reconnection fee to restore water. If you are struggling to pay, contact the Water Department to discuss options before your account falls too far behind.