Fort Worth water bills go to the City of Fort Worth Utilities Department, and you can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person at their office
The City of Fort Worth Utilities Department sends water and wastewater bills to residential and commercial customers. You have four main payment routes: the city's online portal, automatic bank draft, phone payment, or mailing a check. The fastest and most convenient method is paying online through the city's website, which processes immediately and requires no postage or phone call.
Your bill arrives monthly and shows your water usage, wastewater charges, and any taxes or fees. The due date is printed on the front of your bill. If you pay after the due date, the city adds a late fee. Setting up automatic payments or paying as soon as you receive the bill prevents this charge and keeps your account in good standing.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online at the City of Fort Worth Utilities website using your account number, which appears on your bill.
- Automatic bank draft from your checking or savings account removes the need to remember due dates and avoids late fees.
- Phone payments are available by calling the Utilities Department customer service line during business hours.
- Mail payments should arrive at least five business days before the due date to avoid late charges.
- In-person payment at the Utilities office accepts cash, check, and card, with no processing fee.
Paying Online Through the City Website
The City of Fort Worth Utilities Department operates an online payment portal where you can pay your bill immediately without leaving home. Go to the city's utilities website and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Online Bill Pay" link. You will need your account number, which is printed on the front of your bill, and the amount you owe.
The portal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers. If you use a credit or debit card, the city charges a convenience fee of roughly 2.5 percent of your payment amount — this fee is added to your total, not deducted from it. Bank account transfers (ACH) typically have no fee. Payment processes the same day if you submit before the cutoff time, usually 5 p.m. on business days.
Create an online account during your first payment so you can view past bills, check your balance, and set up reminders. This account is separate from automatic draft setup and gives you a record of all payments you have made.
Setting Up Automatic Payments to Avoid Late Fees
Automatic bank draft is the simplest way to ensure you never miss a due date. The city withdraws your payment directly from your checking or savings account on the due date each month. You authorize this once, and it continues until you cancel it.
To enroll, contact the Utilities Department customer service line at (817) 392-8811 or visit the city website and select the automatic payment option. You will provide your bank account number and routing number. The city does not charge a fee for automatic draft, and the withdrawal appears on your bank statement just like any other bill payment.
If your bill amount varies month to month (which it does for water, since usage changes seasonally), the city withdraws the exact amount due each month. You can cancel automatic draft at any time by calling customer service or logging into your online account.
Paying by Phone or Mail
If you prefer to pay by phone, call the Utilities Department at (817) 392-8811 during business hours. A representative will take your account number and payment information. Phone payments accept credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers. Like online card payments, credit and debit card payments include a convenience fee.
To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to "City of Fort Worth" and include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address printed on your bill — typically the Utilities Department's mailing address listed on the back. Mail payments take five to seven business days to reach the city and post to your account, so send your payment at least five business days before the due date to avoid a late fee.
Do not send cash by mail. If you need to pay with cash, use in-person payment or call to arrange a phone payment with a debit card instead.
Paying In Person at the Utilities Office
The City of Fort Worth Utilities Department accepts in-person payments at their office located at 1000 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. You can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. There is no convenience fee for in-person payments, regardless of payment method.
In-person payment is useful if you want to avoid online fees, need to discuss your bill with a representative, or prefer to pay immediately without waiting for mail delivery or online processing. Bring your bill or account number so the staff can locate your account quickly. Payment posts to your account the same day.
Understanding Your Bill and Avoiding Late Charges
Your Fort Worth water bill shows your water usage in gallons, your wastewater treatment charge, and any city taxes. The due date is clearly marked on the front of the bill. If payment does not reach the city by 5 p.m. on the due date, a late fee is added to your next bill.
The late fee is a percentage of your unpaid balance, and it compounds if you continue to miss due dates. If your account falls 30 days past due, the city may issue a notice of intent to discontinue service. If it reaches 60 days past due, the city can shut off your water without further notice.
If you are having trouble paying your bill, contact the Utilities Department to discuss payment arrangements or hardship programs. The city sometimes offers extended payment plans for customers facing temporary financial difficulty. Calling before your account becomes delinquent gives you more options than waiting until service is at risk.
What to Do If Your Payment Does Not Post
If you paid online or by phone and your account still shows the payment as unpaid after three business days, log into your online account or call customer service to confirm the payment went through. Online and phone payments usually post within 24 hours on business days, but delays can happen during high-volume periods.
If you mailed a check and it has been more than seven business days since you sent it, call the Utilities Department with your check number and payment amount. They can search their records to see if the check arrived and was processed. If the check was lost in the mail, the city can help you stop payment on the original check and resubmit payment by another method.
Keep a record of every payment you make — the date, amount, and method. If a dispute arises, this record protects you and makes it easier for the city to locate the payment in their system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone else's Fort Worth water bill?
Yes. When you pay online or by phone, provide the account number of the person whose bill you are paying. In person, tell the staff member whose account you are paying for. You do not need to be the account holder to make a payment.
What happens if I pay my bill late?
A late fee is added to your next bill. If your account reaches 30 days past due, the city sends a notice of intent to discontinue service. At 60 days past due, the city can shut off your water without further warning. Contact the Utilities Department immediately if you cannot pay on time to discuss a payment plan.
Is there a fee for paying online with a bank account instead of a card?
No. Bank account transfers (ACH) through the city's online portal have no convenience fee. Credit and debit card payments do charge a fee of roughly 2.5 percent of the payment amount.
How do I change my mailing address for my water bill?
Log into your online account and update your address, or call the Utilities Department at (817) 392-8811 and provide your new address. Changes take effect on your next billing cycle.
Can I set up automatic payments if I do not have a bank account?
Automatic draft requires a checking or savings account. If you do not have one, you can pay online with a debit card, pay by phone, mail a check, or pay in person at the office.