BWWB bill pay lets you settle your water and sewer charges through their website, by phone, or by mail
Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) serves residential and commercial customers across the Birmingham area. You can pay your bill in several ways without visiting a physical office: online through their website, over the phone, by automatic bank draft, or by mailing a check. Each method has different timing and setup requirements, so knowing which one fits your situation saves you from late fees and service interruption.
Your bill arrives monthly and shows your water usage, sewer charges, and any taxes or fees. The due date is typically 20 days from the bill date. If you miss the due date, BWWB charges a late fee and may eventually shut off service if the account stays unpaid for 60 days or more.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through BWWB's website is the fastest method and posts to your account within one business day.
- Phone payments require your account number and a debit or credit card, and you can pay any day of the week by calling BWWB's automated system.
- Automatic bank draft (ACH) removes the need to remember to pay each month and typically costs nothing if you set it up through BWWB directly.
- Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to reach BWWB and post to your account, so send them at least two weeks before the due date to avoid late fees.
- If your service is shut off for non-payment, you will owe a reconnection fee in addition to your unpaid balance before water is restored.
Paying online through the BWWB website
The fastest way to pay is through BWWB's online portal at bwwbonline.com. You will need your account number (found on your bill) and either a debit card or credit card. The site accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Payments made before 5 p.m. Central Time typically post the same business day; payments after 5 p.m. post the next business day.
To pay online, log in or create an account on the BWWB website, enter your account number, and select the amount you want to pay. You can pay your full balance or a partial amount. The system will ask for your card details and billing address. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number — save this for your records. There is no fee to pay online with a debit card, but credit card payments may carry a processing fee of around 2.5 percent, though this varies and you should confirm the current rate before paying.
If you do not have internet access or prefer not to enter card details online, phone payment is your next fastest option.
Paying by phone or automatic bank draft
You can pay over the phone by calling BWWB's automated payment line. Have your account number and debit or credit card ready. The phone system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Like online payments, phone payments post within one business day. Credit card payments over the phone may also carry a processing fee.
If you want to avoid paying each month, set up automatic bank draft (also called ACH or auto-pay). This pulls money directly from your checking or savings account on a date you choose — typically around the due date. To enroll, contact BWWB directly by phone or through their website. There is no fee for automatic draft if you set it up through BWWB. Once enrolled, your payment happens automatically each month until you cancel. This is the most reliable way to avoid late fees because you do not have to remember to pay.
If you use automatic draft and your account balance changes significantly (for example, after a water main break or meter repair), contact BWWB to adjust the draft amount so you do not overpay or underpay.
Mailing a check or money order
If you prefer to pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to Birmingham Water Works Board. Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your bill — this is usually the BWWB payment processing center, not a local office. Allow 7 to 10 business days for the check to arrive and post to your account.
Because mailed payments take time, send your check at least two weeks before the due date to avoid a late fee. If you are paying close to the due date, use online or phone payment instead. Keep a copy of the front and back of your check or a photo of it for your records, in case there is a dispute about whether BWWB received it.
What happens if you miss the due date
If your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your bill, BWWB charges a late fee. The amount varies but is typically a percentage of your bill or a flat fee — check your bill or contact BWWB to confirm the current late fee. After 30 days past due, BWWB may send a notice warning that service will be shut off. If the account remains unpaid for 60 days, BWWB can disconnect your water service without further notice.
If your service is shut off, you must pay the full unpaid balance plus a reconnection fee before water is restored. The reconnection fee is a separate charge on top of what you already owe. Reconnection typically takes 24 to 48 hours after payment is received and verified. If you cannot pay the full amount, contact BWWB immediately to ask about payment plans or hardship programs — some utilities offer extended payment arrangements for customers facing financial difficulty.
Understanding your bill and account number
Your BWWB bill shows your account number in the upper right or left corner — this is the number you need for any payment method. The bill also lists your service address, the billing period, your water usage in gallons, and the charges for water, sewer, and any other services. Some bills include a tear-off stub at the bottom; if yours does, include this stub with a mailed check so BWWB can match the payment to your account faster.
If you cannot find your bill or account number, call BWWB's customer service line during business hours. They can look up your account by your service address and phone number. Having your account number ready before you attempt to pay — whether online, by phone, or by mail — prevents delays and ensures your payment reaches the correct account.
Setting up paperless billing and payment reminders
BWWB offers paperless billing through their online portal. Instead of receiving a paper bill in the mail, you will receive an email notification when your bill is ready to view online. This can help you pay faster because you see your bill as soon as it is issued, rather than waiting for mail delivery. To enroll in paperless billing, log into your account on bwwbonline.com and look for the billing preferences or account settings section.
You can also set up payment reminders through the BWWB website or by asking your bank to send you a reminder when the due date approaches. Some banks offer bill pay features that let you schedule a payment in advance — you can set a payment to go out automatically on a date you choose, which is different from automatic draft but serves the same purpose of preventing missed payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my BWWB bill with a credit card online?
Yes, BWWB accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover online and by phone. However, credit card payments typically carry a processing fee of around 2.5 percent, which is added to your bill. Debit card payments usually have no fee. Confirm the current fee rate on the BWWB website before you pay.
What if I pay online but my payment does not show up on my bill?
Online payments typically post within one business day. If more than one business day has passed and you do not see the payment, check your confirmation number and contact BWWB customer service with that number. They can verify whether the payment was received and when it will appear on your account.
Can I set up automatic payments if I have a variable bill amount?
Yes, but you will need to adjust the draft amount if your usage changes significantly. For example, if you have a leak or a meter repair, contact BWWB to update your automatic draft amount so you do not overpay. You can also pause automatic draft temporarily and resume it when your usage returns to normal.
How long does it take to reconnect water after I pay a disconnection fee?
Reconnection typically takes 24 to 48 hours after BWWB receives and verifies your payment. If you pay online or by phone, the payment posts immediately, but BWWB still needs time to process the reconnection request and send a technician. Call BWWB after paying to confirm they have received your payment and to ask for an estimated reconnection time.
What should I do if I cannot afford to pay my full bill?
Contact BWWB customer service to ask about payment plans or hardship programs. Some utilities offer extended payment arrangements that let you pay your balance over several months instead of in one lump sum. The sooner you contact BWWB, the more options may be available to you before service is shut off.