Baltimore Water pays online through their official website or by phone, and you can set up automatic payments to avoid late fees
Baltimore Water (officially the Department of Public Works, Water and Wastewater Services) lets you pay your bill online at baltimorewatercompany.com, by phone at 410-396-5000, or through automatic bank withdrawals. You'll need your account number, which appears on your paper bill or in any past correspondence from the utility. Online payment takes effect the same day if you submit before 5 p.m. on a business day; payments submitted after hours or on weekends process the next business day.
The online portal also shows your current balance, payment history, and due date. If you're paying by phone, a representative can walk you through the process, but you'll pay a convenience fee (the amount varies). Automatic payments from your bank account have no fee and are the cheapest way to stay current.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online at baltimorewatercompany.com using your account number, or call 410-396-5000 to pay by phone.
- Same-day online payments require submission before 5 p.m. on a business day; weekend and after-hours payments process the next business day.
- Phone payments include a convenience fee, but automatic bank account withdrawals have no fee.
- Set up autopay through the online portal to ensure you never miss a due date and avoid late charges.
- Your account number appears on your bill or in any letter from Baltimore Water.
Setting up an online account on the Baltimore Water website
Go to baltimorewatercompany.com and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Account Login" link on the homepage. If you don't have an online account yet, select "Create Account" or "Register." You'll enter your account number (from your bill), your service address, and a password of your choice. Baltimore Water will send a confirmation email to verify your address.
Once your account is active, you can log in anytime to see your balance, view past bills, check your payment history, and set up or modify automatic payments. The portal also shows your water usage and any adjustments or credits applied to your account. Keeping your email address current in your account settings ensures you receive payment reminders and notifications about service changes.
One-time online payments and how long they take to process
After logging into your account, select "Make a Payment" and enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full balance, a partial amount, or a specific dollar figure. The system accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account transfers. If you use a debit or credit card, a convenience fee applies (the exact amount is shown before you confirm). Bank account payments have no fee.
Payments submitted before 5 p.m. on a business day (Monday through Friday) post to your account the same day. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. or on weekends process the next business day. If your bill is due on a weekend or holiday, Baltimore Water typically extends the due date to the next business day without penalty. Keep your confirmation number from the payment screen for your records.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Automatic payments are the most reliable way to stay current. In your online account, go to "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments" and select "Set Up Autopay." Choose whether you want to pay the full bill amount each month or a fixed dollar amount. Then provide your bank account number and routing number (found on the bottom left of your checks) or your debit card information.
You can schedule autopay to withdraw funds on a specific day each month—many people choose the day after they receive their paycheck. Baltimore Water will send you a confirmation email with the autopay details. You can change or cancel autopay anytime through your online account; changes take effect on the next scheduled payment date. If your account goes into arrears, Baltimore Water may suspend autopay until you bring the account current.
Paying by phone if you don't want to use the website
Call Baltimore Water's customer service at 410-396-5000 during business hours (typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. They'll confirm your service address and then process your payment over the phone using a debit card, credit card, or bank account information.
Phone payments include a convenience fee that varies depending on your payment method; the representative will tell you the fee before processing. Payments made before 5 p.m. on a business day post the same day. If you call after hours, you can leave a message, but your payment won't be processed until a representative returns your call during business hours. For faster processing, the online portal is usually your best option.
What to do if your payment doesn't show up in your account
If you paid online or by phone but don't see the payment reflected in your account within two business days, log back into your online account and check your payment history. The confirmation number from your payment should appear there with a status (pending, posted, or failed). If the status shows "failed," the payment was not processed, and you'll need to submit it again.
If the payment shows as posted in your account but your balance hasn't updated, wait one more business day—sometimes the balance takes an extra day to reflect. If more than two business days have passed and the payment still doesn't show, call 410-396-5000 with your confirmation number. A representative can look up the payment in their system and apply it manually if needed. Keep your confirmation number and any receipts until the payment appears on your bill.
Late fees, service interruption, and what happens if you miss a payment
Baltimore Water charges a late fee if your payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill. The late fee amount varies but is typically a percentage of your bill. If your account remains unpaid for 30 days past the due date, Baltimore Water may send a notice of intent to shut off service. If payment is not made within the timeframe specified in that notice (usually 10 to 15 days), the utility can disconnect your water service.
If you know you'll miss a payment, contact Baltimore Water before the due date at 410-396-5000. They may be able to work out a payment plan or extend your due date. Once service is shut off, you'll need to pay the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee to restore water. Reconnection typically takes one to three business days after payment is received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Baltimore Water bill with a credit card online?
Yes, the online portal accepts credit cards, but a convenience fee applies. If you want to avoid the fee, use a debit card, bank account transfer, or set up automatic payments from your bank account, which have no fee.
What if I don't have an account number?
Your account number is on your paper bill, in any letter from Baltimore Water, or on your online account statement. If you can't find it, call 410-396-5000 with your service address and the representative can provide it.
Can I pay someone else's Baltimore Water bill online?
You can pay using their account number if you have it, but the online system is set up for account holders. If you're paying for a family member or tenant, ask them for their account number and use that to log in or call 410-396-5000 to pay over the phone.
What time does Baltimore Water stop accepting online payments each day?
Online payments submitted before 5 p.m. on a business day post the same day. Payments after 5 p.m. or on weekends process the next business day. The exact cutoff time may vary slightly, so submit payments early in the day if your due date is soon.
Is there a way to pay without a fee?
Yes. Automatic payments from your bank account and online payments using a bank account transfer have no fee. Credit and debit card payments online or by phone include a convenience fee. Paying in person at a Baltimore Water office also typically has no fee, though office locations and hours vary.