Where to pay your Miami-Dade water and sewer bill
Miami-Dade County's Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (DRER) handles water and sewer billing for most of the county. You can pay your bill online through their official website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The fastest route is the online portal at miamidade.gov/drer, where you can pay immediately with a bank account or debit card without leaving home.
If you prefer to pay by phone, call the DRER customer service line at 311 (or 305-375-2500 from outside Miami-Dade). A representative can process your payment over the phone using a debit or credit card. Payment by phone typically takes a few minutes, and you'll receive a confirmation number on the spot.
For mailed payments, write your account number on the check or money order and send it to the address printed on your bill. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to post to your account, so send them early if your due date is approaching. Never mail cash.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online at miamidade.gov/drer using your account number, which appears on your bill statement.
- Phone payments through 311 or 305-375-2500 accept debit and credit cards and process immediately.
- Mailed checks should include your account number and allow 7 to 10 business days to reach the county.
- Late payments trigger a 10% penalty plus interest, so confirm your due date on the bill itself.
- If your bill seems wrong, request a meter reading or review your usage history before paying a disputed amount.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid late fees
The DRER online portal lets you set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account, which removes the risk of missing a due date. Log into your account on miamidade.gov/drer, go to the billing section, and select the autopay option. You can choose to pay the full bill amount or a fixed amount each month, and you can change or cancel the arrangement anytime.
Autopay from a bank account (not a credit card) usually has no fee. If you use a credit card for autopay, the county may charge a processing fee of 2.5% to 3% of the payment amount. Check the fee disclosure before confirming, because it can add up over a year.
Understanding your bill and what you're paying for
Your Miami-Dade water and sewer bill includes three main charges: the water service charge, the wastewater (sewer) charge, and any stormwater fee if your property drains into the county system. The water charge is based on how much water you used, measured in gallons. The sewer charge is usually based on the same amount, because the county assumes most water that enters your home leaves through the sewer system.
The bill also shows your meter reading from the current month and the previous month, so you can calculate your usage yourself. Multiply the difference by 748 to convert from the meter units to gallons. If your usage seems unusually high, check for leaks inside your home—a running toilet or dripping faucet can inflate your bill significantly.
Stormwater fees appear on some bills but not others, depending on whether your address is in a stormwater service area. These fees fund drainage and flood prevention infrastructure. They are separate from water and sewer charges and do not vary with your usage.
What to do if you receive a bill you think is wrong
If your bill shows a spike in usage or a charge you don't recognize, contact DRER before paying. Call 311 or 305-375-2500 and ask for a meter reading verification. The county can send someone to check your meter and confirm the reading is accurate, or they can review your usage history to see if the spike is consistent with past months.
If the meter is faulty, the county may adjust your bill or issue a credit. If the spike is real but caused by a leak you've now fixed, explain the situation and ask whether the county offers any adjustment for the affected billing period. Policies vary, but it's worth asking before you pay.
Do not ignore a bill you believe is wrong. Unpaid balances accrue a 10% late fee plus interest, and the county can eventually place a lien on your property or shut off service. Dispute the charge in writing or by phone first, then pay what you know is correct while the investigation proceeds.
Payment deadlines and late fees
Your due date appears on the front of your bill statement. Most Miami-Dade water and sewer bills are due 20 days after the billing date. If you pay after the due date, the county adds a 10% penalty to the unpaid balance plus interest calculated monthly. These fees compound, so a small late payment can grow quickly.
If your bill is more than 60 days overdue, the county may issue a notice of intent to shut off service. Service disconnection typically happens 10 to 15 days after that notice. If you receive a disconnection notice, call 311 immediately to discuss a payment plan or to explain a hardship. The county sometimes works with customers to avoid shutoff.
Payment plans and hardship options
If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact DRER at 311 to ask about a payment plan. The county can sometimes spread your balance over several months, though you'll still owe any late fees that have already accrued. Payment plans are not automatic—you have to request one before service is shut off.
Miami-Dade does not have a formal low-income water assistance program run by the county itself, but some nonprofit organizations and community action agencies in the area offer emergency utility assistance. Call 211 (a free helpline) to find local programs that may help with water and sewer bills. may be able to access and funding vary by organization and change throughout the year.
Reading your bill and finding your account number
Your account number is a unique identifier the county uses to track your property and billing history. It appears in the upper right corner of your bill statement, usually labeled "Account Number" or "Service Account Number." You'll need this number to pay online, by phone, or by mail.
The bill also shows your service address, the billing period (the dates your meter was read), your current meter reading, your previous meter reading, and the number of gallons you used. The usage amount is calculated by subtracting the previous reading from the current reading. Below that are the itemized charges: water, sewer, and any other fees.
Keep your bill or a photo of it handy when you call customer service or pay online. If you lose your bill, you can look up your account on miamidade.gov/drer by entering your account number or service address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Miami-Dade water bill with a credit card online?
Yes, the DRER website accepts credit cards for one-time payments. However, the county charges a processing fee of about 2.5% to 3% when you use a credit card. Paying with a debit card or bank account has no fee, so that's the cheaper option if you have those available.
What happens if I don't pay my water bill?
Late payments trigger a 10% penalty plus monthly interest. If your bill is 60 days overdue, the county sends a notice of intent to shut off service. Disconnection usually happens 10 to 15 days after that notice. Call 311 before service is shut off to discuss a payment plan or hardship.
How do I know if my meter reading is correct?
Compare your current and previous meter readings on the bill and multiply the difference by 748 to get gallons used. If the number seems too high, call 311 and ask for a meter verification. The county can check whether the meter is working correctly or send a technician to your property.
Is there a way to lower my water bill?
Your bill is based on usage, so reducing water consumption lowers your charges. Fix leaks, install low-flow fixtures, and run full loads in washing machines and dishwashers. The DRER website has conservation tips. Some customers also may have access to for a separate meter for irrigation water, which may have a lower rate if you water a lawn or garden.
Can I set up autopay for a different amount each month?
Autopay through the DRER portal lets you choose a fixed amount each month, but not a variable amount that changes with your usage. If you want to pay your full bill automatically each month, you can set the amount to match your average bill and adjust it if needed. Otherwise, you'll need to make manual payments when your bill varies.