Pay, Check & Fix Your City Water Bill
Use this guide if your bill is from Baltimore City water billing. It gives the useful answer first: online lookup, 11-digit account number, exact service-address search, ACH/no-fee option, $2.39 utility payment fee for non-ACH methods, phone pay, mail address, in-person payment, self-service usage portal, PromisePay plans, Water4All discount, and high-bill checks.
Start Here: Choose the Right Baltimore Water Bill Route
Use Baltimore City’s water lookup. Search by 11-digit account number or service address as it appears on the bill.
Open water lookupUse ACH/electronic check. Baltimore’s payment page says electronic checks have no charge.
Payment feesPromisePay offers Baltimore DPW payment plans for eligible water bill balances with flexible, interest-free options.
PromisePay planWater4All may help Baltimore City households below 200% of federal poverty guidelines, including some tenants.
Water4AllConfirm This Is a Baltimore City Water Bill
Baltimore-area water searches can be confusing. Baltimore City, Baltimore County, landlords, apartment billing companies, HOAs and commercial property managers may all use different billing routes. Check the provider printed on the bill before paying.
Use this guide if…
- Your bill is a Baltimore City water/sewer bill.
- The payment page asks for an 11-digit City Billing Account Number.
- Your bill links to Baltimore City online payments or Paymentus.
- Your account is handled through DPW / Baltimore City water billing.
Pause if…
- Your water is billed through rent, a landlord, HOA or apartment portal.
- Your account is a Baltimore County utility issue, not City billing.
- Your bill is a tax, citation, property charge, lien certificate or non-water invoice.
- The account has been referred to a collection process or special notice.
Verify before submit
- 11-digit account number.
- Service address exactly as shown on the bill.
- Payment method and fee.
- Amount due and posting confirmation.
- Whether you are paying new bills, old balance or PromisePay plan.
Baltimore Water Bill Payment Methods, Fees and Best Use
| Method | Official detail that matters | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online water lookup | Search by 11-digit account number or service address. Address must match the top portion of your bill; use abbreviations such as W, N, St, Dr. | Fast payment, account lookup, checking balance, avoiding wrong-account payment. | Address search fails if you enter the address differently than it appears on the bill. |
| ACH / electronic check | Baltimore’s payment page says ACH/electronic check payments have no charge. | Lowest-cost online payment when you have bank routing and account number. | Double-check routing/account details to avoid failed or returned payment issues. |
| Credit card / non-ACH utility payment | City payment page lists a flat fee of $2.39 for water paid by credit card and other payment methods except ACH. | Customers who want card or non-bank payment. | Fee applies to utility water payment; non-utility city payments have a different fee structure. |
| Telephone payment | Call 866-377-0765. For card payment, have City Billing Account Number, card information and payment amount. For ACH, have routing/account details and amount. | Phone users, automated payment, card/ACH payment without web access. | Phone payment is not a substitute for bill questions. For bill questions, use DPW water billing support. |
| Make checks payable to Director of Finance. For water, mail to City of Baltimore Bureau of Revenue Collections, P.O. Box 17535, Baltimore, MD 21297-1535. | Non-urgent check payment. | Do not mail if the due date is close or account status matters today. | |
| In person | Pay at Walmart, any business that accepts MoneyGram, or Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. | Walk-in customers and cash/in-person payment needs. | City page lists office hours 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. Verify before visiting. |
| Paymentus portal features | Paymentus can support eBill, AutoPay, Pay by Text, payment reminders, wallet and IVR saved payment methods. | Customers who want automatic payment, reminders, saved methods and multiple-account payment. | AutoPay customers may receive email reminders before the payment is charged. Check portal status rather than assuming from the printed bill. |
| PromisePay plan | PromisePay works with Baltimore DPW to offer interest-free payment plans for eligible balances. | Past-due balances and customers who need flexible payment schedules. | New DPW bills must still be paid directly to DPW; PromisePay handles plan payments for the balance. |
Online Lookup, Paymentus and What Each Portal Does
Water account lookup
- Search by 11-digit account number.
- Or search by service address.
- Enter address as shown on the top of the bill.
- Use abbreviations such as W, N, St and Dr.
- Example format shown by City: 401 E Fayette St.
Paymentus payment tools
- eBill email notice when bill is issued.
- AutoPay on bill due date.
- Pay by Text after sign-up.
- Email reminders before/on/after due date.
- Wallet for saved card or ACH methods.
- IVR saved payment methods.
DPW Self-Service Portal
- Download exact copy of paper bill.
- View billing history.
- View payment history.
- View consumption details by monthly, hourly and daily use.
- View up to 36 months of consumption history.
- Set unusual-use alerts.
Phone, Mail and In-Person Payment Details
Phone payment checklist
- Call 866-377-0765.
- For card: City Billing Account Number, card details, amount.
- For ACH: account number, routing number, bank account number, amount.
- Save confirmation number.
- Use DPW support if the account or charge is disputed.
Mail payment checklist
- Make checks payable to Director of Finance.
- Use the address on your bill if provided.
- Water mail address: City of Baltimore Bureau of Revenue Collections, P.O. Box 17535, Baltimore, MD 21297-1535.
- Include bill stub/account details.
- Do not mail urgent payments.
In-person payment
- Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
- Listed hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Walmart and MoneyGram-accepting businesses are listed as in-person options.
- Bring account number, bill and receipt proof if needed.
Use the Self-Service Portal Before Disputing a High Bill
Why it matters: DPW’s Water Bill Customer Self-Service Portal provides billing history, payment history and water consumption history. It can show monthly, hourly and daily consumption details, up to 36 months of usage history and unusual-use alerts.
Bill copy
Download an exact copy of the paper bill. Useful when the mailed bill is missing or you need proof for landlord/tenant, assistance or closing questions.
Usage history
View consumption details monthly, hourly and daily, plus up to 36 months of consumption history. This helps separate leak/use spikes from rate or fee changes.
High-use alerts
The portal supports alerts for unusually large amounts of water use. That can help catch toilet leaks, pipe leaks or continuous-flow problems earlier.
Water4All vs PromisePay: Which Help Fits Your Situation?
| Program | What it helps with | Key eligibility / official detail | Best next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water4All | Discount program designed to make water and sewer costs more affordable for Baltimore City residents. | Households below 200% of federal poverty guidelines may be eligible. The Water4All page gives an example: a 4-member household below $66,000 a year. | Apply online or call 410-396-5555 for more information. |
| Water4All homeowners | Homeowners whose name is on the water bill. | Must meet income and program requirements. | Gather bill, income documents and household details before applying. |
| Water4All tenants who pay City directly | Tenants whose name is on the water bill and who pay the City directly for water/sewer service. | Tenant can apply if other requirements are met. | Use the bill and income documents during application. |
| Water4All tenants not on bill | Tenants not on the water bill and not paying the City directly. | Must provide lease showing tenant is responsible for water/sewer separately from rent and showing amount or monthly invoice from landlord/management company. | Collect lease and monthly water/sewer invoice before applying. |
| PromisePay | Interest-free payment plans for Baltimore DPW water bill balances. | PromisePay says Baltimore City DPW customers with a balance of at least $50 are eligible for a payment plan. | Sign up at baltimore.promise-pay.com or call 410-779-9808. |
| New bills while on PromisePay | Keeps plan payments separate from new DPW bills. | PromisePay says new bills must still be paid to DPW directly; PromisePay handles the plan balance. | Do not stop paying new DPW bills while paying PromisePay. |
Past-Due Water Bill or Cannot Pay Today
Do this first: If the water bill is past due, decide whether you need a discount, a payment plan or bill-question support. Water4All is a discount/affordability program. PromisePay is for payment-plan balances. DPW billing support handles bill questions, account name/address questions and charge issues.
Need lower annual cost?
Review Water4All if income is below 200% of federal poverty guidelines and the household meets homeowner/tenant rules.
Need time to pay balance?
PromisePay offers interest-free payment plans with flexible payment options and schedules. It says balances of at least $50 can qualify.
Need bill question answered?
PromisePay FAQ says bill questions and account name/address changes should go to Baltimore DPW at 410-396-5398, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
High Baltimore Water Bill: Check Usage, Not Just Dollars
Indoor leak check
Check running toilets, flappers, dripping faucets, showerheads, basement plumbing, water heater area, wet walls, damp floors and quiet overnight meter movement.
Use the portal
Use DPW’s self-service portal for hourly/daily/monthly usage and up to 36 months of consumption history. This helps show when the spike started.
Set alerts
Sign up for high-use alerts if available. Alerts can warn you when unusually large water use appears before the next bill surprises you.
| What changed? | Check first | Best next action |
|---|---|---|
| Usage spiked suddenly | Running toilet, service-line leak, basement leak, new occupants, outdoor hose, plumbing repair, water heater issue. | Use self-service usage history to find when the spike began; repair and save proof. |
| Bill rose but usage looks normal | Current charges, prior balance, payment posting, fees, sewer/storm-related charges, and billing period. | Download the bill copy and compare line items before calling. |
| Payment made but balance remains | Wrong account, processing delay, mailed payment timing, PromisePay vs DPW payment confusion. | Save confirmation, check payment history, then contact DPW or PromisePay depending on where the payment was made. |
| Tenant/landlord billing issue | Lease language, invoice from landlord/management company, tenant responsibility for water/sewer. | For Water4All tenant help, gather lease and monthly invoice documentation before applying. |
Account Number and Address Search Help
Account number search
- Use the 11-digit water account number.
- Enter it exactly from the bill.
- Do not confuse it with tax, citation, invoice or property account numbers.
- Use DPW billing support if the account number does not work.
Service address search
- Use service address, not mailing address.
- Enter it as shown on top portion of bill.
- Use abbreviations: West = W, North = N, Street = St, Drive = Dr.
- Use example style: 401 E Fayette St.
Moving, Name Change, Address Change or Account Question
Best route: For bill questions, account-name questions, address issues or unclear balances, call Baltimore DPW water billing support at 410-396-5398, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Moving out
Save closing or lease end date, final meter/bill information, forwarding address, last payment proof and any confirmation from DPW.
New owner
Check whether the first bill contains old balance, prior service period or property-related charge. Water billing can involve property/account history.
Tenant issue
For Water4All tenant eligibility, the lease may need to show water/sewer responsibility separately from rent and show the amount or landlord invoice.
Baltimore Water Bill Decision Tool
Baltimore-Specific Tips That Prevent Payment Problems
Do not mix DPW bills and PromisePay payments
PromisePay handles the payment-plan balance. New water bills must still be paid directly to DPW. Keep both schedules separate.
Use ACH when fee matters
The City payment page says ACH/electronic check has no charge. Card and other non-ACH utility payments have the flat $2.39 water payment fee.
Use usage portal before disputing
The self-service portal can show hourly/daily/monthly consumption and 36 months of history. That is stronger than only saying the bill is too high.
Tenants may still qualify for help
Water4All includes some tenants not named on the bill if lease and invoice documents show water/sewer responsibility separately from rent.
Baltimore Water Bill Payment Map and Visit Planning
Use this map for general planning. Verify office hours, holiday closures, accepted payment types and account requirements before visiting.
In-person payment location
Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
Listed hours
City payment page lists office hours from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Bring before visiting
11-digit account number, bill copy, service address, payment method, photo ID if needed, and any PromisePay/Water4All documents.
Official Baltimore Water Bill Links Used in This Guide
Baltimore Water Bill Payment FAQs
Where do I pay a Baltimore City water bill online?
Use Baltimore City’s official water account lookup at pay.baltimorecity.gov/water. You can search by 11-digit account number or by service address exactly as shown on the bill.
What account number do I need?
The official water lookup asks for an 11-digit account number. Do not confuse it with a tax, citation, property or invoice number.
Can I search by address?
Yes. Enter the service address as it appears on the top portion of your bill. Baltimore’s page says to use abbreviations such as West = W, North = N, Street = St and Drive = Dr.
Is there a fee to pay online?
ACH/electronic check payments have no charge. Water paid by credit card and other non-ACH utility payment methods has a flat fee of $2.39 on the City payment page.
What is the Baltimore water bill phone payment number?
Call 866-377-0765 for telephone payments. For card payment, have your City Billing Account Number, card information and payment amount. For ACH, have routing/account details and payment amount.
Where do I mail a Baltimore water bill payment?
Make checks payable to Director of Finance. For water payments, the City payment page lists City of Baltimore Bureau of Revenue Collections, P.O. Box 17535, Baltimore, MD 21297-1535.
Can I pay in person?
Yes. The City payment page lists Walmart, businesses that accept MoneyGram, and the Abel Wolman Municipal Building at 200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Listed office hours are 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What is the difference between Paymentus and the DPW Self-Service Portal?
Paymentus handles payment features such as eBill, AutoPay, Pay by Text, reminders and wallet. DPW’s self-service portal helps monitor billing history, payment history and water consumption history.
How can I check a high Baltimore water bill?
Use DPW’s Water Bill Customer Self-Service Portal to view billing history, payment history and water consumption history. It can show monthly, hourly and daily consumption details and up to 36 months of usage history.
What is Water4All?
Water4All is Baltimore City’s water billing discount program. Households below 200% of federal poverty guidelines may be eligible, including homeowners, tenants who pay the City directly, and some tenants not named on the bill who can provide lease/invoice proof.
What is PromisePay for Baltimore water bills?
PromisePay works with Baltimore DPW to offer flexible, interest-free payment plans for eligible water bill balances. PromisePay says Baltimore City DPW customers with a balance of at least $50 are eligible.
Do I still pay new bills to DPW if I am on PromisePay?
Yes. PromisePay says new bills must be paid to DPW directly. PromisePay plan payments are for the plan balance.
Who do I call for a water bill question?
For Baltimore DPW bill questions, account name/address questions and charge issues, call 410-396-5398, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Does this page collect Baltimore water payments?
No. This is an informational guide. Use official Baltimore City, DPW, Paymentus, Water4All and PromisePay pages for live payment, balance, assistance, payment plan and account status.
Pay Your Water Bill Safely, Fix High Bills, Avoid Shutoff, Start Service and Find Official Utility Links
Use this free USA water bill assistant before paying online, calling utility billing, setting up AutoPay, checking a high bill, requesting leak help, starting or stopping service, handling a past due account, or searching for the official city utility portal.
What water bill problem do you need to solve?
Choose your situation. The tool will suggest the safest route, what to prepare, and which official page or office to check first.
Open the official city, county, water authority or utility website first. Do not enter account details into a random sponsored payment page.
If the bill is unusually high, compare usage, billing days, meter read type, toilet leaks, irrigation, late fees and leak adjustment rules before paying blindly.
Safe Water Bill Payment Route
Choose how you want to pay. This helps users avoid wrong portals, posting delays and urgent shutoff mistakes.
AutoPay / Bank Draft Setup Helper
Use this before enrolling in recurring payments so the first draft, current balance and payment date do not surprise you.
High Water Bill Review
Compare your normal bill and usage with the current bill. This gives a practical path before requesting a high bill review.
Leak Adjustment Proof Checklist
Use this before asking for a leak adjustment, high bill review, sewer adjustment or payment plan.
Past Due, Shutoff Notice and Reconnect Helper
Use this if your bill is late, you received a shutoff notice, service is off, or you need a payment plan.
Start, Stop or Transfer Water Service
Use this before moving, closing an account, starting service, transferring service or requesting a final bill.
Water Bill Cost Estimate
Estimate a simple monthly bill from base charge, water usage, sewer, stormwater, trash, service fees and late charges. Official tiered rates may be different.
Bill Dispute and Meter Reading Checklist
Use this before calling billing support about a meter reading, duplicate payment, wrong address, missing payment, estimated bill, or incorrect charge.
Official Water Bill Portal and Phone Finder
Enter city/utility and state to create safe searches for official water bill pay, phone payment, guest pay, AutoPay, start service, leak adjustment, reconnect, assistance and this site’s guide.
Official portal safety
- Use official city, county, authority or utility websites first.
- Check service address before paying.
- Save confirmation number and screenshot.
- Call the utility for shutoff or reconnect situations.
Best sitewide placement
Place this tool after the first payment section or before FAQs. It turns every water bill article into a practical help page, not only a list of links.
Important note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Always confirm payment portals, fees, shutoff rules, assistance programs, account balance and reconnection steps with the official utility.