Where to pay your Dallas water bill

The City of Dallas Water Utilities department gives you three main ways to pay: online through their website, by phone, or by mail. The online option is the fastest and shows your payment when ready in their system. Phone payments go through the same day if you call before 5 p.m. on a business day. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach the office and post to your account.

You do not need to create an account to pay once. If you want to set up automatic payments or check your balance between bills, you will need to register on the Dallas Water Utilities website. Registration is free and takes about five minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay online at the Dallas Water Utilities website (dallaswaterutils.org) using your account number, which appears on your bill.
  • Phone payments are processed the same day if you call before 5 p.m., and the number is on your bill or on the city website.
  • Mail payments should be sent to the address printed on your bill and take 7 to 10 business days to post.
  • Setting up automatic payments through your bank or the city website prevents late fees and removes the need to remember due dates.
  • Late fees begin 16 days after your due date, and service can be shut off after 45 days of non-payment.

Paying online through Dallas Water Utilities

Go to dallaswaterutils.org and look for the "Pay My Bill" button on the homepage. You will need your account number (a 10-digit number on your bill) and the amount you want to pay. The site accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account transfers. Credit card payments charge a convenience fee of about 2.5 percent, while bank transfers have no fee.

After you enter your payment information, the system gives you a confirmation number when ready. Write this down or take a screenshot. Your payment posts to your account the same day if you pay before 5 p.m. on a business day. If you pay after hours or on a weekend, it posts the next business day.

Paying by phone

Call the Dallas Water Utilities customer service line at the number on your bill. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. You can pay with a debit card or credit card over the phone. Like online payments, credit card payments include a convenience fee.

Payments made before 5 p.m. on a business day post the same day. Keep the confirmation number the representative gives you. If you have questions about the payment later, this number helps customer service find the transaction.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to "City of Dallas." Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address printed on your bill — this address changes depending on which payment processing center handles your account, so always use the address on your current bill.

Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post. To avoid late fees, mail your payment at least two weeks before your due date. If you are close to the due date, paying online or by phone is safer because you know the exact day it posts.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting and incurring late fees. You can set them up through the Dallas Water Utilities website or through your own bank. On the city website, register for an account, go to "Billing," and select "Auto Pay." You choose the payment date and amount each month. The city will deduct the payment from your bank account automatically.

If you set up automatic payments through your bank instead, log into your bank's bill pay system and add Dallas Water Utilities as a payee. Your bank will mail a check on the date you choose. This method takes longer (7 to 10 days) but gives you control from your bank's system. Either way, keep your account active so the city can send you notices if there are problems.

What happens if you miss a payment

Your bill is due 16 days after the city mails it. If you do not pay by that date, a late fee is added to your account. The amount of the late fee depends on your bill amount but is typically 5 to 10 percent of what you owe. If you pay within 15 days of the due date, you can usually avoid the late fee by calling customer service and asking them to waive it as a one-time courtesy.

If your account stays unpaid for 45 days, the city can shut off your water service. You will need to pay the full balance plus a reconnection fee to restore service. If you are having trouble paying, contact Dallas Water Utilities before you fall behind. They have programs for customers with low income and may be able to work out a payment plan.

Understanding your account number and bill

Your account number is a 10-digit number printed near the top of your bill. You need this number for every payment method except automatic payments set up through your bank. The bill also shows your due date, the address to mail payments to, and the phone number for customer service.

Your bill shows your current charges, any balance from the previous month, and the total amount due. If you see charges you do not recognize, call customer service before you pay. They can explain what each charge is for and tell you whether it is correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my bill with a credit card without a fee?

No. Credit card payments through Dallas Water Utilities charge a convenience fee of roughly 2.5 percent. Bank account transfers and checks have no fee. If you want to use a credit card for rewards, factor in whether the rewards are worth the fee.

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

Check your confirmation number first. Log back into the website and look at your payment history to see if the transaction went through. If it did not, try again with a different payment method. If it did go through but your account has not updated, wait until the next business day. Contact customer service if it still does not appear after 24 hours.

Can I set up automatic payments and still pay extra some months?

Yes. Automatic payments deduct a set amount on a set date each month. You can pay extra anytime through the website or by phone without affecting your automatic payment schedule. This is useful if you want a predictable base payment but want to pay down your balance faster some months.

What if I move and my water service is transferred to a new address?

Contact Dallas Water Utilities to update your mailing address. Your account number stays the same, but the payment address on your bill may change. Always use the address printed on your current bill when paying by mail.

Is there a discount for paying the full year upfront?

No. Dallas Water Utilities does not offer discounts for early or lump-sum payments. You pay the same rate whether you pay monthly, quarterly, or all at once. Paying early only helps you avoid late fees and service shutoff.