Where to pay your Philadelphia water bill
Philadelphia Water Department bills can be paid online, by mail, by phone, or in person. The fastest route is the online portal at water.phila.gov, where you can pay with a bank account or debit card without creating an account. You'll need your account number, which appears on your bill.
If you prefer to mail a check, send it to the address printed on your bill. Allow 10 business days for the payment to reach the department and post to your account. Do not send cash through the mail.
To pay by phone, call Philadelphia Water Department's customer service line at 215-685-6300. A representative can process a payment over the phone using a debit or credit card. In-person payments are accepted at the Water Department's office at 1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through water.phila.gov is the fastest method and requires only your account number and a debit or bank card.
- Your bill shows your account number, the amount due, and the due date — typically 30 days from the bill date.
- Late payments trigger a 10 percent penalty plus interest, so paying by the due date saves money.
- If you cannot pay the full amount, contact the Water Department about a payment plan before your account becomes delinquent.
- Philadelphia offers bill assistance programs for households with low income, which you can learn about by calling 215-685-6300.
How to read your Philadelphia water bill
Your bill shows three main sections: account information at the top, usage and charges in the middle, and payment instructions at the bottom. The account information includes your address, account number, and the billing period (usually one month). Check this section first to make sure the address matches your property.
The usage section shows how much water you consumed in gallons during the billing period, broken down by meter reading dates. Below that, you'll see separate line items for water charges, sewer charges, and stormwater charges. Water and sewer are based on your usage; stormwater is a fixed fee tied to the size of your property's impervious surface (roof, driveway, patio).
At the bottom of the bill, you'll find the total amount due and the due date. Philadelphia bills are typically due 30 days from the bill date. If you pay after the due date, a 10 percent late penalty is added, plus interest calculated daily.
Understanding your water and sewer charges
Philadelphia Water Department charges for water and sewer on a tiered rate structure, meaning the price per gallon increases as you use more. The first tier covers a baseline amount of water at a lower rate; usage above that threshold moves into a higher rate. This structure encourages conservation and means that households using significantly more water will see higher per-gallon costs.
Your bill lists the number of gallons used and the rate applied to each tier. If your bill seems unusually high, check whether your usage jumped compared to previous months. A sudden spike can signal a leak — a running toilet, dripping faucet, or underground pipe break. If you suspect a leak, contact the Water Department to request a meter inspection, which is free.
Sewer charges are calculated based on the amount of water you used, on the assumption that water entering your home leaves through the sewer system. If you have a separate irrigation meter or rainwater collection system, you may be able to adjust your sewer charges. Contact the Water Department's billing department to discuss your situation.
What to do if you cannot pay on time
If you know you cannot pay by the due date, contact Philadelphia Water Department before the bill becomes late. Call 215-685-6300 and ask about a payment plan. The department can sometimes arrange a schedule that spreads the payment over several months, which stops the 10 percent penalty from being applied.
If your account falls behind, the Water Department will send a notice of delinquency. At this stage, you still have time to contact the department and work out a plan. Waiting until a shutoff notice arrives makes the situation harder to resolve. Philadelphia Water does shut off service for accounts that remain unpaid for an extended period, though the department must follow specific legal procedures before doing so.
If you have a low income, you may be may be able to access for bill assistance through the Philadelphia Water Department's hardship programs. These programs can reduce or forgive arrears and lower your ongoing bill. Call 215-685-6300 and ask about income-based assistance to learn whether your household qualifies.
How to dispute a charge or report a billing error
If you believe your bill contains an error — a duplicate charge, an incorrect meter reading, or a charge that doesn't match your usage — contact the Water Department's billing department in writing or by phone. Include your account number, the billing period in question, and a clear description of the error. The department will investigate and send you a written response.
Do not withhold payment while disputing a charge. Instead, pay the amount you believe is correct by the due date, then follow up on the dispute. If the department finds an error in your favor, it will issue a credit to your account. If the error was in the department's favor, you'll receive a bill for the difference.
If you disagree with the department's response to your dispute, you have the right to request a formal hearing. The Water Department's customer service line can provide information about the hearing process and how to request one.
Setting up automatic payments and bill notifications
The easiest way to avoid late payments is to set up automatic bill pay through water.phila.gov. You can schedule a payment for a specific date each month, or you can authorize the Water Department to deduct the amount due automatically on your due date. Automatic payments reduce the chance of forgetting to pay and eliminate mailing delays.
You can also sign up for email or text notifications when your bill is ready. These reminders give you time to review your statement before the due date and catch any unusual charges. To set up notifications, log into your account on water.phila.gov or call 215-685-6300.
If you switch to automatic payments, continue to review your bills each month. Automatic payment does not mean you should ignore your statement — usage spikes, billing errors, and meter problems still need your attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss a payment deadline?
A 10 percent penalty is added to your bill, plus daily interest. If your account remains unpaid for several months, the Water Department will send a shutoff notice. Contact the department before that point to arrange a payment plan and avoid service interruption.
Why did my water bill increase suddenly?
A sudden jump usually means a leak — a running toilet, dripping faucet, or cracked pipe. Check your meter reading on the bill against previous months. If usage is genuinely higher, look for water waste. You can request a free meter inspection by calling 215-685-6300.
Can I pay my bill in installments?
Yes. Contact the Water Department at 215-685-6300 before your bill becomes late and ask about a payment plan. The department can arrange a schedule that spreads the payment over multiple months and waives the late penalty if you stick to the agreement.
How do I know if my meter is broken?
If your usage is consistently high and you cannot find a leak, request a meter inspection. The Water Department will send a technician to check the meter at no cost. Call 215-685-6300 to schedule an inspection.
Is there financial help available for water bills?
Philadelphia Water Department offers hardship programs for low-income households. These can reduce or forgive past-due amounts and lower your ongoing charges. Call 215-685-6300 and ask about income-based assistance to see whether your household qualifies.