Where to send your payment

Philadelphia's water bills are issued and collected by the Philadelphia Water Department, a city agency. You can pay directly to them through several channels, and the method you choose affects how quickly your payment posts and whether you pay a fee.

The Water Department's mailing address for checks and money orders is Philadelphia Water Department, P.O. Box 69457, Philadelphia, PA 19169-9457. If you mail a payment, allow 7 to 10 business days for it to reach the office and post to your account. Include your account number (printed on your bill) on the check or money order.

Key Takeaways

  • Philadelphia Water Department accepts payments by phone, online, mail, and in person at their office on Spring Garden Street.
  • Online and phone payments process when ready and cost nothing, while mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to post.
  • You will need your account number, which appears on your water bill, to pay by any method except in-person cash payment.
  • If your bill is overdue, the Water Department may add a late fee and can eventually shut off service, so paying as soon as you receive the bill prevents penalties.
  • Third-party bill pay services like PayPal or your bank's bill pay tool can send a check on your behalf, but you remain responsible if the payment arrives late.

Online payment through the Water Department website

The fastest way to pay is through the Philadelphia Water Department's online portal at www.phila.gov/water. Look for the "Pay Your Bill" or "Make a Payment" link on the homepage. You will need your account number and the amount of your bill.

The online system accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers. Credit and debit card payments process when ready and carry no fee. Bank account payments (ACH transfers) also process with no fee and typically post within one business day. Once you submit, you receive a confirmation number on screen — save this for your records.

Phone payment to the Water Department

You can pay by phone by calling the Philadelphia Water Department's customer service line at 215-685-6300. Have your account number and payment method ready. A representative will walk you through the payment and provide a confirmation number.

Phone payments process when ready and are free. The Water Department's phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. If you call outside these hours, you may reach an automated system that can take payments 24 hours a day, though you should verify this when you call.

In-person payment at the Water Department office

You can walk in and pay cash, check, or money order at the Philadelphia Water Department's office located at 1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (near Spring Garden Street). The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Bring your account number if you have it, though you can pay with just your address if you do not have the bill in front of you.

In-person cash payments post to your account the same day. This is the only method where you do not need your account number, making it useful if you have lost your bill or do not have it handy.

Using your bank's bill pay service

Many banks and credit unions offer bill pay through their online banking platform. You can set up the Philadelphia Water Department as a payee and schedule payments to be mailed automatically. The Water Department's mailing address is Philadelphia Water Department, P.O. Box 69457, Philadelphia, PA 19169-9457.

Bank bill pay is free and useful if you want to automate regular payments, but payments sent by mail take 7 to 10 business days to arrive. If your bill is due soon, mail is not fast enough — use online or phone payment instead. You remain responsible if a mailed payment arrives after the due date, so do not rely on bank bill pay for urgent payments.

What happens if you miss a due date

Water bills in Philadelphia are typically due 30 days after the bill date. If your payment does not post by the due date, the Water Department adds a late fee to your account. The amount of the late fee varies, so check your bill or call 215-685-6300 to confirm the current amount.

If your account falls significantly behind — usually after 60 days of non-payment — the Water Department can shut off your water service. Once service is shut off, you must pay the full overdue balance plus a reconnection fee to restore it. Paying online or by phone as soon as you receive your bill is the simplest way to avoid these penalties.

Setting up automatic payments

If you want to pay the same amount every month without having to remember, you can set up automatic payments through the Philadelphia Water Department's website. Log into your account at www.phila.gov/water, find the autopay or recurring payment option, and choose the amount and date.

Automatic payments are deducted from your bank account on the date you select and post when ready. This works well if your bill amount is consistent month to month. If your bill varies (for example, if you use more water in summer), you will need to adjust the autopay amount or pay the difference manually when the bill arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my water bill through a third-party payment app like PayPal or Venmo?

No. PayPal, Venmo, and similar apps do not work with the Philadelphia Water Department. You must use the Water Department's official website, phone line, mail, or in-person office. Using a third-party service to send money to someone claiming to collect water bills is a common scam.

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

Online and phone payments post within one business day. If more than one business day has passed and you do not see the payment, call 215-685-6300 with your confirmation number. Have the confirmation number ready — it proves you sent the payment and helps the Water Department locate it quickly.

Do I have to pay the full bill amount, or can I make a partial payment?

You can make a partial payment through any method — online, phone, mail, or in person. However, the full bill amount will still be due on the due date. Partial payments reduce what you owe but do not extend the important date, so if the remaining balance is not paid by the due date, late fees will explore.

Is there a discount if I pay my water bill early?

No. The Philadelphia Water Department does not offer discounts for early payment. You pay the same amount whether you pay on the due date or weeks early. Paying early only prevents late fees if you would otherwise miss the important date.

What if I cannot afford my water bill?

The Philadelphia Water Department offers a hardship program for customers with financial difficulty. Call 215-685-6300 and ask about payment plans or information programs. You may be able to spread the payment over several months or receive help covering the bill, depending on your income and situation.