Where to pay your Metro Water Services bill

Metro Water Services (MWS) gives you four main ways to pay your water bill: online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment location. The online option is the fastest and most convenient — you can pay any time without waiting for business hours. Phone and in-person payments process the same day if you pay before the cutoff time, usually 5 p.m. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach the office and post to your account.

Each method requires your account number, which appears on your bill. If you do not have your bill handy, you can look up your account number on the MWS website by entering your service address and last name.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay online at the Metro Water Services website without creating an account, using your account number and bill amount.
  • Phone payments go through when ready if you call before 5 p.m., and the phone line is open Monday through Friday during business hours.
  • Mail payments take one to two weeks to post, so send them at least 10 days before your due date to avoid a late fee.
  • In-person payments at MWS offices or authorized payment centers process the same day and do not require an account login.

Paying online without an account

The MWS website lets you pay a single bill without signing up for an online account. Go to the Metro Water Services payment page, enter your account number (found on your bill), and the amount you want to pay. You will then choose a payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. The site will ask for the card or bank details and a confirmation email address.

Online payments process when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number right away. Keep this number for your records. The payment typically shows on your account within one business day. If you pay after 11:59 p.m., the transaction may not process until the next morning.

If you want to set up recurring payments or manage your account online, you can create a free account on the MWS website. An account lets you view your payment history, see your usage, and schedule automatic payments for the same amount each month.

Paying by phone

To pay by phone, call Metro Water Services at the customer service number on your bill. Have your account number and payment method ready — they accept debit cards, credit cards, and bank account transfers. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Payments made before 5 p.m. post the same day.

A customer service representative will walk you through the payment and give you a confirmation number. Write down this number and the time you called. If you call after hours, you can leave a message, but your payment will not process until the next business day when someone returns your call.

Paying by mail

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to Metro Water Services. 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, not an old one.

Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account. To avoid a late fee, mail your payment at least 10 days before the due date. Do not mail cash. If you need to pay urgently and the mail is too slow, use online or phone payment instead.

Paying in person

Metro Water Services has payment drop boxes and walk-in payment locations in Nashville. You can find the current list of locations and hours on the MWS website. Most locations accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Payments made before the location closes post the same day.

If you prefer to hand your payment to a person rather than use a drop box, call ahead to confirm that the location you plan to visit has staff available. Some locations are unstaffed drop-box sites only.

What to do if you cannot pay the full amount

If your bill is overdue and you cannot pay in full, contact Metro Water Services before your service is disconnected. They may be able to set up a payment plan that lets you pay part of the bill now and the rest over several weeks. Payment plans are not automatic — you have to call and ask about them.

MWS also has a Customer information Program for households with low income. This program can help with past-due bills and may lower your monthly bill going forward. You can ask about this program when you call about a payment plan, or you can find more information on the MWS website.

Avoiding late fees and service disconnection

Your bill is due by the date printed on your statement. If payment does not reach MWS by that date, a late fee is added to your account. The amount of the late fee varies but is typically a percentage of your bill. If your bill stays unpaid for 60 days, MWS may disconnect your water service without further notice.

If you know your payment will be late, call MWS as soon as possible. Explaining the delay and making a partial payment can sometimes prevent disconnection while you arrange the rest. Once service is disconnected, you will have to pay a reconnection fee on top of your bill balance to restore water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to create an account to pay my bill online?

No. You can pay a single bill on the MWS website using just your account number and bill amount, without logging in or creating an account. Creating an account is optional and useful only if you want to view your history or set up automatic payments.

Can I pay with a credit card without a fee?

MWS does not charge a fee for credit card payments made online or by phone. However, your credit card company may charge you a cash advance fee if they classify the payment that way — check with your card issuer if you are unsure.

What happens if I pay after the due date?

A late fee is added to your account. The exact amount depends on your bill total. If your account stays unpaid for 60 days, MWS will disconnect your water service. You can avoid disconnection by calling MWS and setting up a payment plan before that date.

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

Online payments process when ready and you receive a confirmation number right away. The payment typically appears on your account within one business day. If you pay after 11:59 p.m., it may not process until the next morning.

Can I set up automatic payments so I do not have to pay every month?

Yes. Create a free account on the MWS website and set up automatic payments from your bank account or card. You can choose to pay the same amount each month, or you can set it to pay whatever your bill is that month.