Where your water bill goes and who sends it

Baltimore County Department of Public Works (DPW) sends your water bill and collects the payment. If you live in Baltimore City proper, you pay the Baltimore City Department of Public Works instead — they are separate systems. The bill arrives by mail or email, depending on what you chose when your account opened, and shows your account number, the amount due, and the due date.

Your payment goes directly to Baltimore County DPW's collection account. The county uses that money to maintain pipes, treatment plants, and the system that brings water to your home and removes wastewater. Understanding where the payment lands matters because it affects which phone number to call if something goes wrong and which website to use if you need to set up a payment plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Baltimore County DPW accepts payments by mail, phone, online through their website, or in person at their office in Towson.
  • Online payments through the county website are free and process within one to two business days.
  • If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact DPW before the bill becomes overdue to discuss a payment arrangement.
  • Late payments trigger a 10 percent penalty plus interest, and nonpayment can lead to service disconnection after 60 days of arrears.
  • Your account number appears on every bill and is required for any payment method except in-person payments at the office.

Paying online through Baltimore County's website

The fastest and most direct route is the Baltimore County DPW website. Go to baltimoreCountymd.gov, find the water billing section, and enter your account number and the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full bill or a partial amount. The system accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account transfers. There is no fee for any of these payment methods.

Payments submitted online typically post to your account within one to two business days. If you pay before the due date shown on your bill, you will not be charged a late fee. The website also lets you set up automatic monthly payments if you prefer not to pay each bill individually — you can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through the same portal.

Paying by phone or mail

You can call Baltimore County DPW's billing department at 410-887-5701 to pay by phone using a debit card or credit card. Have your account number and the card information ready. Phone payments process the same way as online payments and take one to two business days to show on your account.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to "Baltimore County DPW" and include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address printed on your bill — the address changes depending on which billing cycle you are on, so always use the address on the bill itself, not a remembered address. Mail payments take longer to process because of postal delivery time, so send your payment at least one week before the due date to avoid a late fee.

Paying in person at the DPW office

Baltimore County DPW's main billing office is located in Towson and accepts cash, checks, and card payments during business hours. The office address and hours appear on your bill. You do not need your account number to pay in person, but bringing it speeds up the transaction. In-person payments are posted when ready, so you will not have the one- to two-day delay that online and phone payments have.

Some Baltimore County libraries and community centers also accept water bill payments on behalf of DPW. Call 410-887-5701 to ask whether a location near you participates in this program, as the list changes and not all locations participate.

What happens if you miss the due date

If your payment does not arrive by the due date on your bill, a 10 percent penalty is added to the amount owed, plus interest that accrues daily. The bill is considered past due when ready after the due date passes. After 60 days of nonpayment, Baltimore County DPW can disconnect your water service without further notice.

Before that happens, contact DPW as soon as you know you cannot pay on time. The department can set up a payment plan that spreads the amount owed across several months, which stops the disconnection process and gives you time to catch up. A payment plan does not erase the penalty or interest already added, but it prevents further action and keeps your water on.

Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full

Call Baltimore County DPW at 410-887-5701 and explain your situation. The department works with customers to create arrangements based on what you can afford. A typical plan might spread the bill across three to six months, with a portion due each month. You must make the agreed payments on time — missing a payment on the plan can restart the disconnection process.

Payment plans are available whether your bill is current or already past due. If your service has already been disconnected, you will need to pay a reconnection fee in addition to the bill balance. The sooner you call, the more options you have and the less penalty and interest will have accumulated.

Automatic payments and paperless billing

Setting up automatic monthly payments removes the risk of forgetting a due date. Through the Baltimore County DPW website, you can authorize the county to withdraw a set amount from your bank account or charge your card on a date you choose each month. You can change the amount or cancel automatic payments anytime through the same portal.

You can also switch to paperless billing so your bill arrives by email instead of mail. This means you receive the bill faster and can pay it when ready if you want to. Both automatic payments and paperless billing are free and can be managed together on the DPW website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I pay online but my bill still shows as past due?

Online payments take one to two business days to post. If you paid before the due date, the late fee will not be charged even if the payment has not yet appeared on your account. If you are concerned, call 410-887-5701 with your confirmation number from the online payment to confirm it was received.

Can I pay someone else's water bill?

Yes. You can pay online or by phone using the account number of the person whose bill you are paying. In person, bring the account number so the payment is credited to the correct account. You do not need to be the account holder to make a payment.

What if my bill seems wrong?

Call DPW at 410-887-5701 to report a billing error before you pay. Do not ignore the bill — if it remains unpaid, penalties and interest will continue to accumulate. The department can investigate the charge while you work out a payment plan for the amount you do owe.

Is there a discount for seniors or low-income households?

Baltimore County offers a reduced rate for seniors and disabled residents through a separate program. Call 410-887-5701 to ask about income-based rate reductions and whether you may be may be able to access. You will need to provide proof of income or disability status.

What happens if I move and still owe a balance?

The balance remains your responsibility even after you move. Contact DPW with your new address so they can send you a final bill. If you do not pay, the debt can affect your credit and the county may pursue collection action. It is better to set up a payment plan before you move than to leave the debt unpaid.