Where to Pay Your Wichita Water Bill

The City of Wichita Water Department accepts payments through three main channels: online at the city's website, by phone, or by mail. The online portal is the fastest route — you can pay when ready from your bank account or debit card without leaving home. Phone payments go through an automated system or a customer service representative. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach the city and post to your account, so send them well before your due date to avoid late fees.

Your bill arrives by mail or email, depending on which you selected when you opened your account. The bill shows your account number, the amount due, and the due date. You will need this account number to pay online or by phone. If you have not received a bill and your due date is approaching, contact the Water Department directly at (316) 462-3700 to confirm your address and payment important date.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through the city website is the fastest method and posts to your account the same day you submit it.
  • Phone payments can be made 24/7 through an automated system or during business hours with a representative at (316) 462-3700.
  • Mail payments must be sent at least 10 days before your due date to avoid late fees, since processing takes a week or more.
  • Your account number appears on your bill and is required for all payment methods except automatic bank draft setup.
  • Late payments trigger a 10 percent penalty on top of your bill amount, and service can be disconnected if payment is 30 days overdue.

Paying Online Through the City Website

The City of Wichita's online bill pay portal is located at the main city website under Utilities. You will need your account number and either a bank account or debit card. The system accepts payments when ready and confirms them with a receipt number you should save for your records. There is no fee to pay online through the city's own portal.

The payment posts to your account the same business day if you submit it before 5 p.m. central time on a weekday. Payments submitted after hours or on weekends post the next business day. You can set up a one-time payment or schedule recurring payments for the same day each month. If you schedule a payment and then pay by another method, cancel the scheduled payment to avoid paying twice.

If you forget your account number, the portal has a lookup tool where you enter your address and last name. If you forget your password, use the reset link on the login page — the city will send a new password to the email address on file.

Paying by Phone

The Water Department's automated phone system accepts payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (316) 462-3700 and follow the prompts to enter your account number and payment amount. You will need a debit card or bank account information. The system confirms the payment with a reference number before you hang up — write this down.

If you prefer to speak with a representative, call the same number during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. central time). A representative can answer questions about your bill, set up a payment plan if you are behind, or help you enroll in automatic payments. Phone payments process the same day if submitted before 5 p.m. on a business day.

Paying by Mail

Mail your check or money order to the address printed on your bill. Include your account number on the check's memo line so the payment reaches the correct account. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post, so send payment at least two weeks before your due date if you want to avoid a late fee.

Do not send cash through the mail. If you are paying a past-due balance, include a note with your account number and the specific bill date you are paying for. Keep a copy of your check or a photo of the money order for your records.

Setting Up Automatic Payments

Automatic bank draft is the most hands-off payment method. The Water Department withdraws your bill amount directly from your checking account on the due date each month. You can set this up online, by phone, or by mail. To start, you will need your bank routing number and account number.

Once enrolled, you receive a confirmation email or letter. You can change the payment amount or pause the draft if your bill changes, and you can cancel automatic payments at any time by contacting the Water Department. If a draft fails because of insufficient funds, the city will attempt to reprocess it, and you may be charged a returned-payment fee in addition to your bill.

Late Payments and Reconnection Fees

Payments are due by the date shown on your bill. If payment does not arrive by that date, a 10 percent penalty is added to your balance. After 30 days past due, the Water Department can disconnect your service. Reconnection requires payment of the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee, which varies but typically ranges from $75 to $150.

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact the Water Department before the important date to discuss a payment plan. The city may be able to spread your balance over two or three months. Calling before you fall behind is far less costly than paying reconnection fees later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my water bill with a credit card?

The city's online portal and phone system accept debit cards and bank account transfers, but not credit cards. If you want to use a credit card, you would need to use a third-party payment processor, which typically charges a fee of 2 to 3 percent of your bill amount.

What happens if I pay online but my payment doesn't show up?

Check your email for the confirmation receipt from the city — this confirms the payment was submitted. If you have the receipt number, contact the Water Department at (316) 462-3700 to verify the payment posted. Payments submitted before 5 p.m. on a business day post the same day; if you submitted it after hours, check again the next business day.

Can I change my due date?

The due date is set by the city based on your meter reading schedule and cannot be changed. However, you can set up automatic payments to withdraw on the due date, or you can pay early at any time without penalty.

What if I'm on a fixed income and can't afford my full bill?

Contact the Water Department to ask about payment plans or hardship programs. The city may be able to spread your balance over multiple months. Some residents may also be may be able to access for utility information through Sedgwick County or local nonprofits — the Water Department can provide referrals.

Do I need to pay if I'm disputing a charge on my bill?

Yes, you must pay the bill by the due date even if you believe there is an error. After paying, submit a written dispute to the Water Department explaining the issue. The city will investigate, and if an error is found, you will receive a credit or refund.