Where to pay your Austin Energy and Austin Water bill
Austin Energy and Austin Water are both run by the City of Austin, and you can pay either bill through the same channels. The fastest way is online at austintexas.gov/my-account, where you log in with your account number and pay by bank transfer or card. You can also pay by phone at 512-494-9400 during business hours, mail a check to the address on your bill, or pay in person at Austin City Hall (311 W Anderson Lane) or at any of the city's payment kiosks around town.
If you set up autopay, the city will charge your bank account or card on your due date each month. This stops late fees from piling up and means you do not have to remember to pay. You can turn autopay on or off anytime through your online account.
Late payments trigger a 1.5% penalty on top of what you owe. If your bill stays unpaid for 30 days past the due date, the city can disconnect your service. If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact the city before that date — they have programs that may help, and calling ahead stops a disconnection notice from being filed.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay online at austintexas.gov/my-account, by phone at 512-494-9400, by mail, or in person at Austin City Hall.
- Setting up autopay prevents late fees and disconnection notices by charging your account automatically on the due date.
- Your account number appears on your bill and is required to log in online or pay by phone.
- If you cannot pay by the due date, contact Austin Utilities before that date to learn about payment plans or hardship programs.
- Late payments add a 1.5% penalty, and unpaid bills can lead to service disconnection after 30 days.
How to find your account number on your bill
Your account number is printed near the top of your Austin Energy or Austin Water bill, usually in the upper right corner or just below your name and address. It is a string of numbers that identifies your specific meter and service address. You will need this number to log into your online account, pay by phone, or set up autopay.
If you cannot find your bill or do not remember your account number, call Austin Utilities at 512-494-9400 and give them your service address. They will look up your account and read the number to you over the phone. You can also create an online account at austintexas.gov/my-account without your account number — the system will let you search by your service address instead.
Setting up online account access
Creating an account at austintexas.gov/my-account takes about five minutes. You will need your account number or your service address, an email address, and a password you choose. Once you are logged in, you can see your current bill, your payment history, and your usage over the past 12 months.
The online portal also shows you when your next bill is due and lets you set up autopay in a few clicks. If you forget your password, the website will send you a reset link to your email. If you have trouble logging in, Austin Utilities customer service can walk you through it at 512-494-9400.
Understanding your bill due date and payment deadlines
Austin bills are typically due 20 days after the bill date printed at the top of your statement. The exact due date appears on your bill in a box labeled "Amount Due By." If you pay online or by phone, the payment posts the same day if you submit it before 5 p.m. central time on a business day. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day.
If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the city extends the deadline to the next business day. Mailed checks should arrive at least three business days before your due date to post on time — the postmark date does not count as the payment date, only the date the city receives it.
What to do if you receive a disconnection notice
A disconnection notice means your bill has been unpaid for 30 days past the due date. The notice will state the date service will be cut off — usually 10 to 15 days after the notice is mailed. If you receive one, call Austin Utilities immediately at 512-494-9400, even if you cannot pay the full amount that day.
The city has payment plans for customers who cannot pay in full. You can spread what you owe over several months, and the disconnection will be postponed while your plan is active. You must make each payment on time to keep the plan in place. If you are experiencing hardship due to job loss, medical emergency, or other crisis, ask about the city's hardship programs when you call.
Paying a bill for a previous tenant or address
If you received a bill for a service address where you no longer live, or for a tenant who moved out, do not ignore it. Contact Austin Utilities with the account number and explain the situation. If the bill is in your name but you no longer live there, you may be responsible for it until you formally close the account with the city.
To close an account, call 512-494-9400 and provide your move-out date. The city will send a final bill based on a meter reading taken on or near that date. If you are a landlord and a tenant left an unpaid bill behind, the city will not transfer the debt to you — it stays with the tenant. You can provide the tenant's forwarding address to the city so they can pursue collection.
Payment methods and fees
Austin Utilities does not charge a fee for paying online through your bank account, by phone, or by mail. If you pay with a credit or debit card online or by phone, the city charges a processing fee — the exact amount depends on the card type and is shown before you confirm the payment. Paying in person at Austin City Hall or a payment kiosk by cash or check has no fee.
Some third-party payment services advertise bill pay for Austin Utilities, but using them may add extra fees and delay your payment posting. Paying directly through austintexas.gov/my-account or calling the city is faster and cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Austin Energy and Austin Water bills together?
Yes. If you have both services at the same address, you can log into one online account and see both bills. You can pay them together or separately, and they will both post to the same account. If you have services at different addresses, you will need separate online accounts for each.
What happens if I pay late?
A 1.5% penalty is added to your balance. If your bill stays unpaid for 30 days past the due date, the city will mail a disconnection notice. Service can be cut off 10 to 15 days after that notice is mailed. Calling before the due date to set up a payment plan stops the disconnection process.
How do I change my billing address or email?
Log into your online account at austintexas.gov/my-account and look for "Account Settings" or "Profile." You can update your mailing address and email there. Changes usually take effect within one business day. If you cannot access your account, call 512-494-9400 and customer service will update it for you.
Can I get a paper bill if I do not want to pay online?
Yes. Austin Utilities mails paper bills to all customers by default. You can choose to receive bills by email instead through your online account settings, but you do not have to go paperless. Paper bills arrive about 10 days before the due date.
What if my payment did not post?
Check your online account to see if the payment shows under "Payment History." If you paid online or by phone, it may take one business day to appear. If more than one business day has passed and the payment is not there, call 512-494-9400 with your confirmation number or the date and amount you paid, and customer service will investigate.