Where to pay your Fort Worth water bill

The City of Fort Worth collects water bills through its Utility Billing Department. You can pay online through the city's official website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment location. The fastest method is online, which processes when ready and requires only your account number and a payment method.

Fort Worth does not use a third-party billing platform — payments go directly to the city. This means there is no middleman fee, and your payment posts to your account the same day for online and phone payments, or within three to five business days for mailed checks.

Your bill arrives by mail each month and shows your account number in the upper right corner. Keep this number handy for any payment method you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through the city website is when ready and requires only your account number and a debit or credit card.
  • Phone payments go through the city's automated system and process the same day, with no additional fees.
  • Mailed checks should include your account number on the check and arrive at least five business days before your due date to avoid late fees.
  • In-person payment at city facilities or authorized locations accepts cash, check, and card with no processing delay.
  • Late payments incur a 1.5 percent monthly penalty on the unpaid balance, so paying by the due date matters even if you pay a few days late.

Paying online through the city website

Go to the City of Fort Worth's official website and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Utility Billing" section. You will need your account number (found on your bill) and either a debit card or credit card. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Enter your account number, the amount you want to pay, and your card details. The system will confirm the payment when ready and send you a confirmation number. Write this number down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you ever need to dispute the payment or verify it posted.

Online payments process when ready and post to your account the same day. There is no fee for paying this way through the city's official portal.

Paying by phone

Call the Fort Worth Utility Billing Department at the number listed on your bill. The automated system will ask for your account number and the amount you wish to pay. You can pay with a debit or credit card over the phone.

Phone payments process the same day and cost nothing extra. The system will give you a confirmation number at the end of the call. Write it down for your records.

If you prefer to speak to a person rather than use the automated system, you can call during business hours and ask to pay over the phone with a representative. Wait times vary, but this option exists if you have questions about your bill or account.

Paying by mail

Write a check payable to the City of Fort Worth. On the check itself, write your account number in the memo line. Include the payment stub from your bill in the envelope — it has your account number printed on it and helps the city route your payment correctly.

Mail your check to the address printed on your bill. The Utility Billing Department processes mail payments, and your payment will post to your account three to five business days after it arrives. To avoid a late fee, mail your check at least five to seven business days before your due date.

Do not mail cash. If your check is lost in the mail, you will have no proof of payment unless you can show a cancelled check from your bank statement. For this reason, online or phone payment is safer if you are concerned about mail delays.

Paying in person

The City of Fort Worth accepts in-person payments at its main utility office and at authorized payment locations around the city. Bring your bill or account number and your payment method — cash, check, or card.

In-person payments post to your account the same day. There is no fee for paying this way. If you pay by check, the city will process it when ready rather than mailing it, so your payment posts faster than if you mailed it yourself.

Hours and locations change, so check the city's website or call the Utility Billing Department before you go. Some locations have limited hours or are closed on certain days.

What happens if you miss the due date

Fort Worth charges a 1.5 percent monthly penalty on any balance that remains unpaid after the due date shown on your bill. This penalty compounds monthly, so the longer you wait, the more you owe beyond the original bill amount.

If your bill remains unpaid for 30 days past the due date, the city may send a notice of intent to disconnect your water service. If you do not pay or contact the city within the timeframe given in that notice, your water will be shut off.

If your water is disconnected, you will owe the unpaid bill plus the penalty, plus a reconnection fee to have service restored. The reconnection fee is separate from the bill itself. Contact the Utility Billing Department when ready if you receive a disconnect notice — the city may work with you on a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once.

Setting up automatic payments

You can set up automatic monthly payments through the city's website so your bill is paid on the same day each month without you having to remember. This works through bank account withdrawal (ACH) or recurring card charges.

To set this up, log into your account on the city's website and look for the "Auto Pay" or "Recurring Payment" option. You will enter your bank account or card information once, and the city will charge you automatically each billing cycle.

You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your account. If you set up auto pay, you will still receive your bill in the mail so you can verify the amount is correct before it is charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay someone else's Fort Worth water bill?

Yes. You will need their account number, which appears on their bill. You can pay online, by phone, or in person using their account number. The payment will post to their account regardless of whose card or check you use.

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

Online payments through the city's official website post the same day. If you do not see it within 24 hours, log back into your account and check the payment history. If the payment does not appear there, contact the Utility Billing Department with your confirmation number and they will investigate.

Does Fort Worth charge a fee for paying with a credit card?

No fee applies when you pay through the city's official website or by phone using the automated system. Some third-party payment services charge fees, but the city's own channels do not.

What if I cannot pay my full bill by the due date?

Contact the Utility Billing Department before your due date and ask about a payment plan. The city may allow you to split your payment across multiple months if you are facing hardship. Waiting until after the due date means you will owe the 1.5 percent penalty on top of the unpaid balance.

How do I know if my payment went through?

Online and phone payments give you a confirmation number when ready. In-person payments are posted right away. For mailed checks, your bank statement will show the check cleared once the city deposits it, usually within five to seven business days. You can also log into your account online to see your payment history.