Paying Your Water Bill in Newark, New Jersey: A Guide

Living in Newark, New Jersey means relying on the city’s water utility for an essential service. Paying your water bill on time and in full is an important responsibility as a resident. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to pay your City of Newark water bill conveniently and avoid any late fees or service interruptions.

Overview of Newark’s Water Utility

The City of Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities is responsible for supplying water and sewer services to residents and businesses located within the city limits The water department serves over 280,000 residents across Newark’s 24 square miles.

As a municipal utility, the City of Newark water department is governed by the city and oversees everything from water treatment to meter reading to billing and collections. Revenues from water bills fund the operation, maintenance, and capital improvements of the water system. This allows the utility to deliver safe, reliable water service 24/7 to Newark.

Water Bill Basics

Water bills in Newark are issued on a quarterly basis to coincide with meter readings. So you can expect to receive a bill every 3 months.

Usage is measured in hundred cubic feet (CCF) based on your water meter readings. The rates are tiered so the more water used, the higher the rate per CCF. The minimum charge covers up to 3 CCF.

In addition to water usage, the bill includes a fixed service charge and sewer charge based on your meter size. There are also temporary service and fire service charges for applicable customers.

Late fees apply if the water bill is not paid by the due date printed on the bill. Service may be shut off for non-payment to collect on overdue balances.

When are Water Bills Due in Newark?

Newark water bills are due 21 days after the bill date. The due date is clearly printed on the front of the bill.

If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, payments can be made without penalty on the next business day. But in general, bills should be paid on or before the due date to avoid late fees.

Setting a reminder on your calendar, enrolling in autopay, or signing up for bill reminders can help prevent missed payments and keep your water service uninterrupted.

How to Pay Your Newark Water Bill

The City of Newark offers residential customers multiple options for paying water bills conveniently. Here are the most common ways to pay your Newark water bill on time.

Pay Online

The easiest way for most people to pay their water bill is online through the city’s website. The online payment portal allows payments by e-check, debit card or credit card 24/7.

To pay online, go to https://payments.ci.newark.nj.us/OnlinePayment_WaterDepartment.aspx and select “Pay Water/Sewer Bills”. You will need your 10-digit account number from your latest bill.

There is no fee for e-check payments. A third-party service fee applies to debit and credit card payments.

Pay by Phone

Call 1-888-877-0450 anytime to pay your Newark water bill by phone. Like online payments, you can pay by e-check at no charge or by debit/credit card with a service fee.

The automated phone system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will need to enter your 10-digit account number and address zip code.

Pay by Mail

Mail a check or money order payable to “City of Newark Water Department” along with your payment stub to:

City of Newark Water Department
920 Broad Street Room 117
Newark, NJ 07102

Be sure to allow enough time for mailed payments to reach the water department by the due date. Payments are credited the business day they are received.

Pay in Person

In-person payments can be made at the Water & Sewer office in Newark City Hall:

920 Broad Street Room 117
Newark, NJ 07102

Cash, check, money order or credit card payments are accepted. Hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

After-hours drop boxes are also available inside the Broad Street and Green Street entrances of City Hall.

Enroll in Autopay

Sign up for autopay to have your water bill paid automatically each quarter. Payments can be debited from your bank account (e-check) or charged to a credit/debit card on file on the due date.

Autopay prevents late payments and makes bill payment hassle-free. You can enroll through your online account or by submitting an autopay authorization form to the water department.

Seek Payment Assistance

Customers struggling to pay their water bill should contact the City of Newark water department to ask about available financial assistance programs or payment plan options. Shutoffs can be avoided with approved payment arrangements.

The Newark water department partners with social service agencies to connect residents with utility assistance grants. You can also call 2-1-1 to learn about assistance programs you may qualify for.

Avoid Late Fees and Service Shutoffs

Failing to pay your Newark water bill on time can lead to late payment fees, collections actions and service shutoffs. Protect your credit and avoid extra charges by making sure your bill is paid by the due date every quarter.

If you are ever unable to pay on time, immediately contact the water department to discuss alternative arrangements. As long as you are proactively communicating with them, shutoffs can generally be avoided.

No one wants the burden and embarrassment of having their water shut off due to an overdue bill. Stay on top of your account and you can avoid this worst-case scenario.

Be a Responsible Water Customer

Having access to safe, reliable drinking water is something we often take for granted. But supplying water to Newark residents and businesses around the clock takes substantial investments in infrastructure, operations and maintenance by the city’s water professionals.

Paying your water bill not only meets your obligations as a customer. It also allows the water department to continue delivering this vital service we depend on for our health, sanitation and quality of life.

So pay your City of Newark water bill on time, conserve water where possible, and be a responsible user of this precious resource. Together we can keep our water infrastructure strong today and for future generations.