Philadelphia Water Department: Pay Water Bill, MyPhillyWaterBill, Phone Number, Assistance and Emergency Help
Philadelphia water customers often need the same few answers quickly: where to pay the bill, how to find the nine-digit Water Access Code, what number to call for billing, how to apply for a lower bill, and what to do during a water emergency. This guide keeps the official Philadelphia Water Department, Water Revenue Bureau, MyPhillyWaterBill, customer assistance and emergency links in one practical place.
Pay online
Use MyPhillyWaterBill with your nine-digit Water Access Code and ZIP code.
Billing phone
Call Water Revenue Bureau at 215-685-6300, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Bill help
Apply for assistance if you are low income, a senior or have a special hardship.
Emergency
Call 215-685-6300 24/7 for water main breaks, flooding, open hydrants and urgent issues.
Main Official Philadelphia Water Department Links
How to Pay a Philadelphia Water Bill Online, by Phone, Mail or In Person
The Water Revenue Bureau handles billing and collection for Philadelphia water and sewer charges. The official payment page says you need your nine-digit Water Access Code and ZIP code to pay online.
| Payment method | Official detail | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Online MyPhillyWaterBill | Pay online using the City’s water bill website. You need your nine-digit Water Access Code and ZIP code. | Open MyPhillyWaterBill and save confirmation. |
| Free eCheck | eCheck is free. You need bank routing number and checking or savings account number. | Use eCheck when you want to avoid card processing fees. |
| AutoPay | Create a MyPhillyWaterBill account and sign up for recurring automatic monthly payments. | Confirm the payment source and make sure funds are available every month. |
| Phone eCheck | Call 215-685-6300 to pay by free eCheck. | Keep your Water Access Code, ZIP code and banking details ready. |
| Phone card payment | Call 877-309-3709 for debit or credit card payment through the interactive voice system. | Expect processing fees for debit/credit card payments. |
| Mail payment | Mail check or money order with the return portion of the bill to Water Revenue Bureau, P.O. Box 41496, Philadelphia, PA 19101-1496. | Mail early and include the bill stub to reduce posting problems. |
| In person | Authorized centers include Municipal Services Building, 1401 JFK Blvd. Concourse Level; 7522 Castor Ave.; and 2761 N 22nd St. | Confirm payment type; cash is not accepted at the Northeast and North Philadelphia listed locations. |
Philadelphia Water Bill Fees, Late Charges and Payment Allocation Rules
Before choosing a payment method, check fees and timing. The official payment page lists different fee rules for online, telephone and in-person payments.
| Fee or rule | Official detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic bank payments | Free. | Good option for monthly users who want to avoid missed bills. |
| eCheck payment | Free. | Good option when you want a no-processing-fee payment. |
| Online residential debit/credit card | $2.95 processing fee. | Convenient, but not the lowest-fee method. |
| Online commercial debit/credit card | $15.95 processing fee. | Commercial accounts should consider eCheck if possible. |
| Late fee | 5% of the total is added if you do not pay on time, plus an additional 0.5% monthly charge for unpaid water charges. | Late payment can grow quickly if ignored. |
| Returned check | $20 returned-check fee. | Confirm funds before using checking account payments. |
Philadelphia Water Bill Assistance, TAP, Senior Help, Special Hardship and Shutoff Delay
Philadelphia says anyone having trouble paying their water bill should apply for help. Assistance programs are designed for customers who are low income, seniors or facing a special hardship.
| Help option | Official detail | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Assistance application | One application can be used for all assistance programs. | Start or request an application and prepare documents. |
| TAP / special hardship | Special hardship can include job loss, serious illness, family loss, domestic violence, household growth and other affordability problems. | Explain your specific situation clearly in the application. |
| Application support email | For application-related questions, email watercap@phila.gov. Application documents cannot be submitted over email. | Use email for questions only, not document submission. |
| Mail application request | Call 215-685-6300 to request an application by mail. | Make photocopies; do not mail original documents. |
| Shutoff delay | If you are in danger of shutoff, the City says you will be granted a 30-day delay to submit the application, and water will not be shut off while the application is under review. | Apply quickly and keep paying what you can during processing. |
| Appeal denied assistance | If denied, you may appeal to the Tax Review Board within 60 days from the denial letter. | Do not miss the deadline if you disagree with the decision. |
Philadelphia Water Department Emergency Hotline and General Contact Details
For water emergencies, use the emergency hotline, not only a web form. PWD says the contact form is not for emergency use.
Water emergency hotline
Phone: 215-685-6300
Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Use it for water main breaks, taste/odor complaints, open hydrants, neighborhood flooding and water in basement.
Billing and account questions
Water Revenue Bureau: 215-685-6300
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Email: wrbhelpdesk@phila.gov
Become a Philadelphia Water Customer, View Old Bills and Manage MyPhillyWaterBill
The Water Revenue Bureau provides water billing services, including paying bills, becoming a water customer, shutoffs, meter topics, customer responsibilities, disputes and water liens.
| Need | Official route | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Become a water customer | City service page for property owners, tenants and occupants. | Open Become a Water Customer or call 215-685-6300. |
| View/print recent bills | MyPhillyWaterBill can find and print bills for the last 13 months. | Create/sign in to MyPhillyWaterBill with your Water Access Code and ZIP code. |
| Older bill copies | Contact Water Revenue Bureau at 215-685-6300 or request in person at municipal services centers. | Have account details and service address ready. |
| Lost bill/access code | Call 215-685-6300 to request your access code if your bill is lost. | Confirm account identity and service address. |
| Account message | PWD Contact form can be used for non-emergency billing/account or general questions. | Do not use the form for emergencies; call 215-685-6300. |
Philadelphia Water Department Address, Payment Address and Municipal Services Centers
Use the correct address for the correct purpose. PWD specifically says not to send bill payments to the general PWD mailing address.
| Purpose | Official address | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Mail water bill payment | Water Revenue Bureau, P.O. Box 41496, Philadelphia, PA 19101-1496 | Use for check or money order payments with bill return portion. |
| PWD mailing address | Philadelphia Water Department, 1101 Market Street, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | Do not send bill payments here. |
| Center City payment | Municipal Services Building, 1401 JFK Blvd., Concourse Level | Listed hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM. |
| Northeast Philadelphia | 7522 Castor Ave. | Listed hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM. No cash payments. |
| North Philadelphia | 2761 N 22nd St. | Listed hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM. No cash payments. |
Map shows Philadelphia Water Department at 1101 Market Street, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Do not mail bill payments to this address; use the Water Revenue Bureau payment P.O. Box instead.
Common Philadelphia Water Bill Mistakes That Cause Delays or Extra Charges
Philadelphia’s water billing system has several official routes. Using the wrong one can cause delays, fees or missed assistance opportunities.
| Mistake | Why it creates trouble | Better action |
|---|---|---|
| Using a fake or unofficial payment page | Payment could be delayed, misdirected or expose your account data. | Start from phila.gov or the official MyPhillyWaterBill link. |
| Missing the Water Access Code | You need the nine-digit code and ZIP code for online account access. | Find it on your bill or call 215-685-6300 if your bill is lost. |
| Paying by card when eCheck would work | Debit and credit card payments have processing fees. | Use free eCheck or automatic bank payment when possible. |
| Mailing payment to PWD mailing address | PWD says bill payments should be sent to the Water Revenue Bureau P.O. Box, not the PWD mailing address. | Mail to Water Revenue Bureau, P.O. Box 41496, Philadelphia, PA 19101-1496. |
| Waiting until shutoff risk is urgent | Assistance applications need documents and review time. | Apply for water bill customer assistance as soon as payment difficulty starts. |
| Using a web form for emergencies | PWD says the contact form is not for emergency use. | Call 215-685-6300 for water emergencies 24/7. |
Philadelphia Water Department FAQs
These answers cover common searches about Philadelphia water bill payment, MyPhillyWaterBill, phone number, Water Revenue Bureau, customer assistance, AutoPay, mail payment, emergencies and account service.
QHow do I pay my Philadelphia water bill online?
Use the official City of Philadelphia Pay a water bill page and open MyPhillyWaterBill. You need your nine-digit Water Access Code and ZIP code from your bill.
QWhat is MyPhillyWaterBill?
MyPhillyWaterBill is the City’s water bill payment website. It lets customers pay water bills, set up AutoPay, use eCheck, and view or print recent bills online.
QWhat do I need for MyPhillyWaterBill login?
You need your nine-digit Water Access Code and ZIP code. If paying by eCheck, you also need your bank routing number and checking or savings account number.
QWhat is the Philadelphia Water Department phone number?
The Philadelphia Water Department lists 215-685-6300 for general inquiries and the 24/7 water emergency hotline.
QWhat is the Water Revenue Bureau phone number?
For billing and account questions, call the Water Revenue Bureau at 215-685-6300, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
QCan I pay my Philadelphia water bill by phone?
Yes. Call 215-685-6300 to pay by free eCheck. Call 877-309-3709 to pay by debit or credit card through the interactive voice system.
QWhere do I mail Philadelphia water bill payments?
Mail check or money order with the return portion of your bill to Water Revenue Bureau, P.O. Box 41496, Philadelphia, PA 19101-1496.
QCan I pay a Philadelphia water bill in person?
Yes. The official payment page lists municipal services centers in Center City, Northeast Philadelphia and North Philadelphia. Confirm accepted payment methods before visiting, because some locations do not accept cash.
QIs eCheck free for Philadelphia water bills?
Yes. The City says eCheck payment is free, and automatic bank payments are also free.
QHow much is the late fee on a Philadelphia water bill?
The official payment page says 5% of the total will be added if you do not pay on time, with an additional 0.5% monthly charge for unpaid water charges.
QCan I get help paying my Philadelphia water bill?
Yes. Philadelphia offers water bill customer assistance for low-income customers, seniors and households with special hardship. Use the Customer Assistance application or call 215-685-6300.
QWhat special hardships may qualify for water bill help?
Examples listed by the City include job loss, serious illness, family loss, domestic violence, household growth and other circumstances that make it difficult to afford basic needs.
QWill my water be shut off while my assistance application is reviewed?
The City says customers in danger of shutoff will receive a 30-day delay to submit the application, and water will not be shut off while the application is under review.
QWhat is the Philadelphia water emergency hotline?
Call 215-685-6300, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for water emergencies such as water main breaks, open hydrants, neighborhood flooding, water in basement and taste or odor complaints.
QWhere is the Philadelphia Water Department office?
The Philadelphia Water Department lists its mailing address as 1101 Market Street, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. PWD notes that bill payments should not be mailed to this address.
QIs Water-Department.org the official Philadelphia Water Department website?
No. This is an independent guide. Official payments, billing decisions, assistance applications, emergencies and account support must be handled through the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Water Department and Water Revenue Bureau.
Official Sources for Philadelphia Water Department Customers
Use these official resources for final confirmation before paying, calling, applying for assistance, reporting an emergency or setting up a water account.
| Official source | Use it for | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Water Department | PWD overview, water/sewer/stormwater services, official address, phone, email and programs. | Open PWD page |
| PWD Contact Us | Emergency hotline, general inquiries, billing email, payment mailing address and PWD mailing address. | Open contact page |
| Pay a Water Bill | Payment methods, Water Access Code, MyPhillyWaterBill, fees, mail, phone, in-person payment and late fees. | Open payment guide |
| MyPhillyWaterBill | Online bill payment, eCheck, AutoPay, bill history and account tools. | Open bill portal |
| Water Revenue Bureau | Billing and collection functions, water revenue services, billing disputes, water liens and customer account topics. | Open Water Revenue |
| Water Bill Customer Assistance | TAP, special hardship, senior/low-income help, shutoff delay, application documents and appeal guidance. | Open assistance page |
| Customer Assistance Application | Start, print or request the customer assistance application. | Open application |
| Become a Water Customer | Instructions and contact information for property owners, tenants and occupants setting up a water/sewer account. | Open new customer page |
| Water Emergencies | What counts as a water emergency and how to report urgent PWD issues. | Open emergency guide |
| Financial Assistance | PWD financial assistance overview, payment plans and additional assistance routes. | Open financial assistance |
Pay Smarter, Check High Bills, Start Service, Avoid Shutoff and Find Official Water Department Links
Use this free tool before paying a water bill, setting up autopay, starting or stopping service, checking a high bill, requesting leak help, or looking for the official water department portal. It gives practical next steps without collecting your account number or personal details.
What water bill or service problem do you need to solve?
Choose your situation. The tool will suggest the safest next step, what to prepare, and which official page to check first.
Start from the official water department, city, county or utility website before entering account details. Avoid random payment ads and look-alike bill pay sites.
Before paying a very unusual bill, check meter reads, toilet leaks, irrigation use, estimated bills, late fees, and whether your utility offers a leak adjustment.
Water Bill Payment Route Helper
Choose how you want to pay. The tool will tell you what to prepare and the safest payment path.
High Water Bill Checker
Compare your normal bill with the new bill and get a practical investigation path before calling customer service.
Leak Check and Adjustment Checklist
Use this before requesting a leak adjustment, disputing a bill, or calling the water department about high usage.
Start, Stop or Transfer Water Service Helper
Use this before moving, opening a new account, closing an old account, or transferring service to another address.
Past Due, Shutoff and Reconnection Helper
Use this if your account is late, disconnected, at risk of shutoff, or you need a payment plan or assistance program.
Simple Water Usage Cost Estimator
Estimate a rough bill from base charge, usage units, rate per unit, sewer charge, stormwater fee and service fees. Official tiered rates may be different.
Official Water Department Resource Finder
Enter city/utility and state to create safe searches for the official water bill portal, phone number, outage page, assistance, start service, leak adjustment, and Water-Department.org guide.
Water Department vs Payment Processor
- Water department: account help, service start/stop, leaks, repairs, shutoff, assistance.
- Payment processor: card/eCheck payment screen, payment fee, confirmation number, posting time.
Best sitewide placement
Add this tool after the main payment section or before FAQs. It helps users solve the next problem after reading the article.
Important safety note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Always confirm payment portals, phone numbers, account balance, assistance rules and reconnection steps with the official water department or utility.