Where to pay your Detroit water bill
The City of Detroit Water Department operates its own payment system separate from the city's general website. You can pay online through the Detroit Water Department customer portal at detroitmi.gov/departments/water-department, or by mail, phone, or in person at a payment center.
Online payment is the fastest route: you log in with your account number (found on your bill), enter your payment amount, and choose to pay by bank account or debit card. The system processes most payments the same day if submitted before 5 p.m. Eastern time on a business day.
If you prefer not to use the online portal, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on your bill, call the Water Department customer service line, or visit a payment location in person during business hours.
Key Takeaways
- The Detroit Water Department portal at detroitmi.gov/departments/water-department is where you log in and pay online using your account number from your bill.
- Online payments by bank account or debit card process the same day if submitted before 5 p.m. on a business day.
- You can also mail a check to the address on your bill, call customer service, or pay in person at a Water Department payment location.
- Your account number appears on your water bill and is required to set up online payment or check your account balance.
- Late payments trigger a reconnection fee if your service is shut off, so paying by the due date shown on your bill avoids additional charges.
Setting up online payment for the first time
Go to detroitmi.gov/departments/water-department and look for the "Pay Your Water Bill" or "Customer Portal" link. You will need your account number, which appears in the upper left corner of your water bill. Click the login or registration option and enter your account number and the service address exactly as it appears on your bill.
The system will ask you to create a password and may send a verification code to your email or phone. Once you are logged in, you can view your current balance, payment history, and due dates. To make a payment, select the amount you want to pay, choose your payment method (bank account or debit card), and confirm the transaction.
Keep your login information in a safe place. You can return to the portal anytime to check your balance or make additional payments without re-entering your account details each time.
Payment methods and processing times
The Detroit Water Department accepts bank account transfers, debit cards, and credit cards through the online portal. Payments made online before 5 p.m. on a business day typically post to your account the same day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day.
Mailed checks should be sent to the address printed on your bill and take 7 to 10 business days to reach the Water Department and post to your account. Write your account number on the check to ensure it is credited correctly. If you are paying by mail and your due date is approaching, mail your payment at least two weeks in advance to avoid a late fee.
In-person payments at Water Department locations are processed immediately. Phone payments are also available; call the customer service number on your bill to pay over the phone with a debit or credit card.
What happens if you miss a payment deadline
Water bills in Detroit are due by the date shown on your statement. If payment is not received by that date, the Water Department adds a late fee to your account. The amount of the late fee varies but is typically a percentage of your unpaid balance.
If your bill remains unpaid for 60 days or more, the Water Department may shut off your water service. To restore service, you must pay the full unpaid balance plus a reconnection fee. The reconnection fee is separate from the late fee and can be substantial, so contacting the Water Department as soon as you know you will be late is important.
If you are having trouble paying your bill, the Water Department may offer a payment plan. Contact customer service to discuss your situation and ask about options before your service is disconnected.
Finding your account number and bill information
Your account number is printed on every water bill you receive from the City of Detroit. It appears in the upper left corner of the bill, above your service address. The bill also shows your current charges, previous balance, amount due, and the due date.
If you have lost your bill or do not have it handy, you can call the Detroit Water Department customer service line (the number is listed on the city website) and provide your service address. A representative can look up your account number and current balance over the phone.
Your service address is the physical location where water is being delivered, not a mailing address. If you have moved or your mailing address is different from your service address, make sure the Water Department has your correct mailing address on file so you receive bills on time.
Paying by mail or phone if you do not use the online portal
To pay by mail, write a check or money order for the amount due, write your account number on the front of the check, and mail it to the address shown on your bill. Include the payment stub from your bill if possible, as it helps the Water Department match your payment to your account quickly.
To pay by phone, call the customer service number on your bill during business hours. Have your account number and payment method (debit or credit card) ready. A representative will process your payment and provide a confirmation number.
Both methods take longer than online payment to post to your account, so plan ahead if your due date is soon. Mailed payments should arrive at least 7 to 10 days before the due date to be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not have an account number?
Call the Detroit Water Department customer service line with your service address (the location where water is delivered). A representative will look up your account number and can help you set up online payment or process a payment over the phone.
Can I set up automatic payments so my bill is paid every month?
The Detroit Water Department online portal allows you to schedule one-time payments, but automatic recurring payments are not currently available through the city system. You can set a reminder to pay each month or contact customer service to ask about payment plan options.
What if my payment was submitted online but I do not see it posted to my account?
Online payments typically post the same day if submitted before 5 p.m. on a business day. If more than one business day has passed and the payment does not appear, log back into the portal to confirm the transaction went through, or call customer service with your confirmation number.
Is there a fee for paying online?
The Detroit Water Department does not charge a fee for online payments made through their official portal at detroitmi.gov/departments/water-department. Your bank or card issuer may charge a fee depending on your account type, but the Water Department itself does not add a processing fee.
Can I pay someone else's water bill if I have their account number?
You can pay online using another person's account number if you have their permission and the account number. However, the Water Department recommends that the account holder set up their own online access for security. If you are paying on behalf of someone else regularly, ask them to add you as an authorized user on their account.