American Water's online bill pay system lets you view your account, make one-time payments, and set up automatic payments from your computer or phone.
American Water serves more than 14 million people across the United States through its regional subsidiaries. The online portal works the same way regardless of which American Water company serves your area — whether that's American Water Works, New Jersey American Water, Pennsylvania American Water, or another regional division.
You can pay your bill without creating an account if you want to make a single payment quickly. You will need your account number (found on your bill) and the amount due. If you plan to pay regularly or want to track your usage, creating a free account takes about five minutes and gives you access to more features.
Key Takeaways
- You can make a one-time payment without logging in by entering your account number and the amount you owe.
- Creating a free online account lets you set up automatic payments, view your payment history, and see your water usage month to month.
- Automatic payments can be scheduled for any day of the month, and you can change or cancel them anytime before the payment processes.
- American Water accepts payments by bank account (ACH), debit card, and credit card, though credit card payments may include a processing fee.
- If you have trouble logging in or your account is locked, American Water's customer service can reset your access or help you pay by phone.
How to make a one-time payment without an account
Go to the American Water website and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment" button on the homepage. You will see an option to pay as a guest. Enter your account number (the number on your bill), your zip code, and the amount you want to pay.
Choose your payment method: bank account (ACH), debit card, or credit card. Bank account payments are free and usually process within one to two business days. Debit card and credit card payments may have a processing fee — the system will show you the fee amount before you confirm.
Review the payment details and submit. You will receive a confirmation number immediately. Keep this number for your records. The payment may take a few days to show on your account, depending on the method you chose.
Creating an account and setting up automatic payments
Visit the American Water website and select "Create Account" or "Sign Up." You will need your account number, email address, and a password you create. The system will ask you to verify your email by clicking a link sent to your inbox.
Once you are logged in, go to "Billing" or "Payment Settings" and select "Set Up Automatic Payments." Choose the day of the month you want the payment to come out — this can be any day from the 1st through the 28th. Select your payment method and the account you want to pay from.
You can set the payment to be the full amount due each month, or you can choose a fixed amount if you prefer. American Water will send you an email reminder before each automatic payment processes. You can pause, change, or cancel automatic payments anytime by logging into your account.
Payment methods and processing times
American Water accepts three payment methods through its online system. Bank account (ACH) transfers are free and take one to two business days to process. Debit cards and credit cards process immediately but may include a fee of 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount — the exact fee varies by region and payment processor.
If you are paying by bank account, have your routing number and account number ready. The system will ask you to verify a small deposit to confirm the account is yours — this usually takes one to two business days.
Payments submitted before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day are typically processed the same day. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays process the next business day. If your bill is due soon, plan ahead to avoid late fees.
What to do if you cannot log in or forgot your password
If you forget your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page. American Water will send a reset link to the email address on file. Click the link and create a new password. The reset link expires after a few hours, so complete this step soon after requesting it.
If you do not receive the reset email, check your spam folder. If it is not there, your email address on file may be incorrect. You can still pay as a guest using your account number, or call American Water's customer service to update your email and reset your password by phone.
If your account is locked after too many failed login attempts, wait 30 minutes and try again. If it remains locked, contact American Water directly — they can unlock your account and help you regain access.
Viewing your usage and payment history
Once you are logged into your account, you can see your current bill amount, due date, and previous balance. Most American Water accounts also show your water usage for the current month and the past 12 months, broken down by billing cycle.
Your payment history shows every payment you have made, the date it processed, and the method you used. This record is useful if you need to dispute a charge or verify that a payment went through. You can download or print your bill and payment history from your account.
If you notice unusual usage — a spike that does not match your normal pattern — contact American Water to report it. A sudden increase can signal a leak inside your home that you should address quickly.
Paying by phone or mail if you prefer not to use the website
You can pay your American Water bill by phone by calling the customer service number on your bill. A representative will take your payment information and process the payment while you are on the call. Phone payments are free and work the same way as online payments.
You can also mail a check or money order to the address shown on your bill. Write your account number on the check. Mail payments take longer to process — typically 7 to 10 business days — so send your payment early if your due date is approaching.
Some American Water offices accept in-person payments at their local service centers. Check the American Water website for the office nearest you and their hours before you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to pay my American Water bill online?
Bank account (ACH) payments are free. Credit card and debit card payments include a processing fee of roughly 2 to 3 percent, though the exact amount depends on your region. The system shows you the fee before you confirm the payment, so you can choose whether to proceed.
Can I change my automatic payment date after I set it up?
Yes. Log into your account, go to "Payment Settings," and select the automatic payment you want to change. You can pick a new date, change the payment amount, or cancel the payment entirely. Changes take effect on your next scheduled payment date.
What happens if I pay late?
American Water charges a late fee if your payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill. The amount varies by region. If you are having trouble paying on time, contact American Water to ask about payment plans or hardship programs that may be available in your area.
Can I set up automatic payments for a different amount each month?
The automatic payment system lets you choose a fixed amount each month. If your bill varies significantly and you want to pay the full amount due automatically, you will need to log in and adjust the payment amount manually each month, or contact American Water to discuss other options.
How do I know if my payment went through?
You will receive a confirmation number immediately after submitting a payment online. Log into your account to see the payment in your history once it processes — this usually takes one to two business days depending on the payment method. You can also call American Water to confirm that a payment was received.