Where to pay your Philadelphia water bill
The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) operates the city's water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. You can pay your bill through their official website at water.phila.gov, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The online portal is the fastest route — you can pay when ready without waiting for mail delivery or phone hold times.
If you do not have internet access, you can call PWD's customer service line at 215-685-6300 to pay by phone with a debit or credit card. A representative will process your payment while you wait. You can also mail a check or money order to the address on your bill, though mail typically takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account.
In-person payment is available at PWD's payment centers during business hours. The main office is located at 1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Walk-in customers can pay by cash, check, or card. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through water.phila.gov is the fastest method and posts to your account within one business day.
- Phone payments (215-685-6300) work when ready if you have a debit or credit card and do not require an online account.
- Mailed checks should be sent at least 10 days before your due date to avoid late fees, since mail delivery is not may provide by the due date.
- Late payments trigger a 10 percent penalty on top of your bill amount, so paying on time matters even if you pay a few days late.
- If your bill is overdue, PWD may shut off your water service, but they must send written notice and offer a payment plan before disconnection.
Setting up online payment through your PWD account
To pay online, you need a PWD customer account. Go to water.phila.gov and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Login" link on the homepage. If you do not have an account yet, select "Create Account" or "Register" and enter your account number (found on your bill), service address, and a password you choose.
Once logged in, your current bill amount and due date appear on the dashboard. Select the bill you want to pay and choose your payment method — debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. Enter the amount you want to pay (you can pay the full balance or a partial amount) and confirm the transaction. PWD will show you a confirmation number when ready.
Online payments are free when you pay from a bank account. Credit and debit card payments may carry a small processing fee (PWD's website displays the exact amount before you confirm). The payment posts to your account within one business day on weekdays.
Paying by automatic bank draft
If you want to stop thinking about your water bill, you can set up automatic monthly payments through your bank account. Log into your PWD account online, find the "Autopay" or "Automatic Payment" section, and enter your bank routing number and account number. You choose the payment date each month, and PWD will withdraw the amount automatically.
Automatic payments are free and remove the risk of forgetting a due date. If your bill amount changes month to month (which is normal for water usage), PWD will deduct whatever the current bill is on the date you select. You can pause or cancel autopay anytime through your online account without penalty.
If you do not have online access or prefer not to set up autopay yourself, call PWD customer service at 215-685-6300 and a representative can enroll you over the phone.
What happens if you miss a payment important date
Your bill is due on the date printed on your statement. If payment does not arrive by that date, PWD adds a 10 percent late penalty to your balance. This penalty applies even if you pay one day late, so the cost of missing the important date is significant.
If your account remains unpaid for 60 days or more, PWD may issue a notice of intent to shut off your water service. The notice gives you at least 10 days to pay or contact PWD to arrange a payment plan. You can call 215-685-6300 to discuss options before disconnection occurs. PWD is required by law to offer a payment arrangement if you cannot pay the full amount at once.
If your water is shut off, PWD charges a reconnection fee in addition to your unpaid balance. Reconnection typically happens within one business day of payment, but the fee itself can be substantial. Paying on time or contacting PWD before the account becomes severely overdue is far cheaper than dealing with disconnection.
Understanding your bill and payment due dates
Philadelphia water bills are issued monthly and cover three services: water supply, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management. Your bill shows the total amount due, the due date, and a breakdown of charges. The due date is typically 20 to 25 days after the bill is issued.
If you receive a paper bill by mail, add extra time to your payment plan. Mail delivery to PWD takes 7 to 10 business days, so a check mailed on the due date will almost certainly arrive late. Mail your payment at least 10 days before the due date to be safe. Online and phone payments, by contrast, post when ready and do not depend on mail delivery.
Your bill also shows your account number, service address, and current meter reading. Keep this information handy when you call PWD or log into your account online — you will need it to verify your identity or look up your balance.
Payment options if you cannot pay the full amount
If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact PWD before the account becomes overdue. Call 215-685-6300 and explain your situation. PWD has authority to set up a payment plan that breaks your bill into smaller installments over several months. This stops late penalties from accruing and prevents disconnection while you catch up.
Payment plans are not automatic — you must request one and PWD must agree to the terms. Plans typically require you to pay a portion of the current bill each month plus a portion of any past-due balance. The exact terms depend on how much you owe and your ability to pay.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, ask PWD about emergency information programs. The city and nonprofit organizations sometimes offer bill relief for low-income households, though availability changes. PWD's customer service line can direct you to current programs or you can contact 211 Philadelphia (dial 2-1-1) for information about utility information in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my water bill with a check at a PWD payment center?
Yes. PWD's main payment center at 1101 Market Street accepts checks, cash, and cards during business hours. You do not need an online account to pay in person. Bring your bill or account number so the payment posts correctly.
What if I pay online but my payment does not show up on my bill?
Online payments typically post within one business day on weekdays. If you paid on a Friday, it may not appear until Monday. Check your confirmation number and log back into your account to verify the payment was received. If more than two business days have passed and the payment still does not show, call 215-685-6300 with your confirmation number.
Do I have to pay the full bill amount, or can I pay part of it?
You can pay any amount toward your bill, whether full or partial. However, any unpaid balance will accrue a late penalty if not paid by the due date. Partial payments do not stop the late fee — only paying the full amount by the important date does.
What if my water bill seems too high?
Contact PWD at 215-685-6300 to request a meter check or review of your account. High bills are often caused by a leak in your home or a meter malfunction. PWD can investigate and may adjust your bill if an error is found. Do not ignore a high bill — call to dispute it before the due date.
Can I set up autopay if I do not have a bank account?
Autopay requires a bank account for free payments. If you do not have a bank account, you can pay by credit or card online (with a processing fee), by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. Call 215-685-6300 to discuss payment options that work for your situation.