How to Pay Your Philadelphia Water Bill: A Guide to Convenient Payment Options

As a Philadelphia Water customer, paying your water bill on time each month is important to avoid any late fees or potential service disruption But with today’s busy lifestyles, it can be easy to forget this routine task Thankfully, the Philadelphia Water Department offers various convenient ways to pay your water bill whether online, by phone, by mail or in person.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore all the payment options available and key details like fees, processing times and more Read on to learn how to pay your Philadelphia water bill in a way that fits your needs and preferences.

Online Payment

The fastest and most convenient way for most customers to pay their Philadelphia water bill is online through the city’s payment portal, You can access it at www,phila,gov/pay or directly through your online account dashboard,

To use the online payment option, you’ll first need to set up an account on the portal. It only takes a few minutes to provide your account number, address, email and create a password.

Once registered, you can log in anytime to:

• View your current account balance
• Check previous statements and payment history
• Make one-time payments by credit card or e-check
• Set up recurring auto-pay to have your bill paid automatically each month
• Go paperless by enrolling in electronic billing

Online payments are processed immediately and you’ll receive a confirmation email with your payment details. It’s the fastest way to pay and ensures your bill is marked paid right away.

The only downside is a convenience fee applies to credit card payments. But e-check payments from your bank account are completely free.

Pay By Phone

Another way to pay your water bill instantly is through the Philadelphia Water Department’s automated phone system.

To pay by phone, dial 1-877-309-3709 and follow the prompts. You’ll need to enter your 9-digit account number and the system can take a payment by credit card or check your account balance.

Phone payments offer the benefit of speaking with a real person if you have any questions about your account or amount due. But keep in mind that convenience fees still apply when paying by credit card.

One thing to note is that the automated system tends to get overwhelmed on due date days when call volume is highest. You may wait 10-15 minutes on hold to speak with a representative. To avoid long wait times, consider paying early in the billing cycle.

Pay By Mail

Mailing in a check or money order is a more traditional way to pay your Philadelphia water bill.

To pay by mail, write your 9-digit account number on the check and send to:

Philadelphia Water Revenue Bureau
P.O. Box 41496
Philadelphia, PA 19101-1496

It’s recommended to mail your payment at least 7 days before the due date listed on your bill. This cushions against any mail delays. Make sure to account for weekends and holidays when mail doesn’t move.

Paying by mail leaves a paper trail through your bank statement or canceled check. If you ever need proof of payment, you’ll have a record. But it does take more planning and effort compared to online payments that register instantly.

In-Person Payments

For customers who prefer to pay their bill in person, there are two Philadelphia Water Department offices that accept payments:

Municipal Services Building
1401 JFK Blvd Concourse Level
Monday-Friday 8:30am – 5pm

Northeast Philadelphia Office
7522 Castor Ave
Monday-Friday 8:30am – 5pm

Both locations accept payments by cash, check, credit/debit card and money order. You’ll receive a printed receipt as proof of payment. Visiting an office allows you to talk through any account issues and get personal service.

Just keep in mind that the Municipal Services Building is located downtown and metered parking is limited. The Northeast office has easier parking but is only open on weekdays until 5pm.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you’re unable to pay your water bill due to financial hardship, Philadelphia offers programs that can help including:

• Payment Arrangements – Set up a monthly payment plan for past due balances.

• TIER Program – Gives low-income households a discount up to $200 per year.

• WRAP Program – Provides crisis grants for customers at risk of termination.

Be sure to contact the Water Department as soon as possible if you anticipate difficulty paying your bill. Waiting until you’ve accumulated large fees and deficits will only make the situation harder to resolve.

Avoid Late Fees with Reminders

It’s easy to forget about routine bills, so be sure to make use of the Water Department’s reminder system.

When you create an online account, you can opt to receive:

• Email alerts when your bill is ready
• Email alerts when payment is due
• Text message alerts when payment is past due

These automated reminders help you pay on time, avoid late fees and prevent service interruption. Stay on top of your account with just a few alert checkboxes.

Payment Processing Times

To avoid late fees, it’s important to understand how long each payment method takes to process:

• Online – Instantly processed

• Phone – Instantly processed

• Mail – 7-10 days

• In-Person – Instantly processed

As you can see, online, phone and in-person payments register immediately while mailed payments take over a week. Factor these time frames into your payment schedule.

How Payments Are Applied

When you pay your Philadelphia water bill, your payment is applied in a specific order:

1. Fees and charges (late fees, lien fees, etc)

2. Penalties and interest

3. Stormwater charges

4. Water/sewer service charges

5. Payment arrangements

6. Repair charges

7. HELP loans

Any partial payments go towards the oldest charges first according to this hierarchy. Keep it in mind if you have outstanding fees you want to pay down quickly.

We just reviewed all the ways Philadelphia Water customers can pay their bill:

• Online through the payment portal
• By phone through the automated system
• By mail with a check
• In person at one of two offices
• Enroll in payment assistance if eligible

Be sure to utilize email and text reminders so your due date never sneaks up on you. Paying on time avoids penalties and keeps your service uninterrupted.

With so many options to choose from, Philadelphia Water makes it convenient to pay your bill. Determine which method best matches your needs, lifestyle and preferences. Most customers find the speed and simplicity of online payments worthwhile for on-time stress-free bill payment.