What is the Chicago water bill customer service number?

For utility billing questions, the City utility portal lists 312-744-4426.

Who handles Chicago water bill payments?

Water bill payments are processed through the City of Chicago Department of Finance Utility Billing & Customer Service, while the Department of Water Management handles water/sewer operations and service programs.

What can I do in Chicago online utility account management?

Online Account Management allows customers to pay a bill, enroll in paperless billing, set up AutoPay or SelectPay and set up a payment plan.

Where can I pay a Chicago water bill in person?

The City lists payment locations including City Hall at 121 North LaSalle, Room 107A. Always confirm current locations and hours on the official payment locations page before visiting.

Chicago Department of Water Management – Pay Bill, Phone Number, 311, Leak Relief & Water Help

Q: What is Chicago Utility Billing Relief?

Utility Billing Relief is a City program for eligible residents that offers a 50% reduced rate on water, sewer and water-sewer tax, no penalties or debt collection on qualifying debt and debt forgiveness after successful program completion.

Q: What is the Chicago Leak Relief Program?

The Leak Relief Program helps eligible utility accounts impacted by eligible outdoor or underground leaks by reducing impacted bills to an average of usual usage.

Q: Is Water-Department.org the official Chicago Department of Water Management website?

No. Water-Department.org is an independent guide. Official payments, billing decisions, service requests, relief applications and water emergencies must be handled through official City of Chicago resources.

Updated 2026 • Official Chicago links reviewed

Chicago Department of Water Management: Pay Water Bill, Report Leaks, 311 Help, Utility Billing Relief and Leak Relief

The Chicago Department of Water Management handles water, sewer, stormwater, water quality and service programs, but water bill payment and billing customer service are processed through the City of Chicago Department of Finance. This guide separates both sides clearly so you can pay safely, use Quick Pay, contact Utility Billing, report leaks through 311, apply for Utility Billing Relief, check Leak Relief, and find senior sewer exemption or lead service line resources.

💳 Open Utility Billing Portal ⚡ Quick Pay Without Login 🚰 DWM Official Page

312-744-4426Utility billing help

311Leaks, hydrants, water issues

50%Possible UBR rate reduction

1 timeLeak Relief per eligible account

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Pay bill

Use the City utility portal for water/sewer bill payment, paperless billing, AutoPay, SelectPay and payment plans.

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Quick Pay

Make a payment without signing in through the City’s Quick Pay option linked from utilitybill.chicago.gov.

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Report leaks

Call 311 immediately for street or parkway leaks, open fire hydrants or emergency shutoff needs.

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Relief programs

Check UBR for lower bills and debt forgiveness, or Leak Relief for eligible outdoor/underground leaks.

Main Official Chicago Water and Utility Billing Links

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Editorial trust note: This guide was prepared from official City of Chicago Department of Water Management, Utility Billing, Utility Billing Relief, Leak Relief, 311/contact and utility exemption resources.

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Important split: The Department of Water Management is the water/sewer operations department. Utility bill payment and billing customer service are handled by the Department of Finance Utility Billing & Customer Service.

Water bill payment

How to Pay a Chicago Water/Sewer Utility Bill Online

The City’s Utility Billing portal is the main online route for Chicago water and sewer bill payment. You can sign in for account management or use Quick Pay if you only want to make a one-time payment without logging in.

Payment route	Official detail	Practical action
Online Account Management	Pay bill, enroll in paperless billing, set up AutoPay or SelectPay and set up payment plan.	Open account login if you need ongoing account tools.
Quick Pay	Make a payment without signing in.	Open Quick Pay if you only need a one-time payment.
Payment plan	Payment plans are available through the online account management system.	Sign in before the account becomes harder to manage.
Billing questions	The City utility portal lists 312-744-4426 for questions.	Call 312-744-4426 with account number, address and bill details ready.
In-person payment	The City lists payment locations including City Hall, 121 North LaSalle, Room 107A.	Check the current payment locations page before visiting.

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Payment safety tip: The official portal warns about phishing. Navigate directly to utilitybill.chicago.gov instead of clicking suspicious email links, and check that the address uses chicago.gov before entering account details.

Water Management vs Billing

What the Chicago Department of Water Management Handles

Many residents search “Chicago Department of Water Management” when they actually need either a water bill payment link or a service request. The faster path depends on the issue: billing goes to Finance Utility Billing, while water/sewer field problems go through 311 or DWM programs.

Your issue	Best official route	Why
Pay water/sewer bill	Department of Finance Utility Billing portal	Water bill payments are processed through City utility billing, not directly inside DWM pages.
Billing dispute or payment plan	Utility Billing & Customer Service	Billing accounts, balances, payment plans and relief programs are tied to Finance billing records.
Street leak or open hydrant	Call 311 immediately	The City directs emergency service requests through 311.
Lead service line or water testing	DWM Programs and Services	DWM manages water quality, testing and lead service line program resources.
Outdoor/underground leak bill spike	Leak Relief Program	Eligible properties may receive bill relief for eligible leaks.

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Practical rule: If money/account balance is involved, start with Utility Billing. If water is leaking, sewer is backing up, or a hydrant is open, call 311. If water quality, lead service line or DWM program help is needed, start with the DWM programs page.

Bill relief and assistance

Chicago Utility Billing Relief, Debt Forgiveness, Payment Plans and Leak Relief

Chicago has several programs that can reduce stress when a water/sewer bill is unaffordable, past due or unusually high because of an eligible leak. The right program depends on income, property type, account status and the cause of the bill spike.

Program	Official benefit	Best next step
Utility Billing Relief (UBR)	50% reduced rate on water, sewer and water-sewer tax, no penalties or debt collection, and possible debt forgiveness after successful completion.	Check UBR eligibility.
UBR debt forgiveness	Previous unpaid balance can be forgiven after successfully completing one year with no accrued balance.	Pay current reduced charges on time during the program period.
Payment plans	Online account management allows payment plan setup.	Sign in to the official Utility Billing portal before the account becomes more difficult to manage.
Leak Relief Program	Helps with bills from eligible outdoor or underground leaks and reduces impacted bills to an average of usual usage.	Review Leak Relief eligibility and apply if the leak qualifies.
Senior sewer exemption	Eligible seniors may reduce or remove sewer charges depending on account/property situation.	Open utility exemptions and rebates.

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Relief call script: “I have a City of Chicago utility bill and need help. Can you check whether I qualify for Utility Billing Relief, a payment plan, Leak Relief, or a senior sewer exemption?”

311 water emergencies

Report a Chicago Water Leak, Open Fire Hydrant, Sewer Backup or Emergency Shutoff Need

For urgent water field issues, do not wait inside the billing portal. The City directs residents to call 311 immediately for a street or parkway leak, open fire hydrant or emergency shutoff request.

Issue	Use this route	What to say
Street leak	Call 311 or use official 311 service request routes.	Give nearest address, cross street, visible water flow and whether street/sidewalk/property is affected.
Parkway leak	Call 311 immediately.	Mention parkway location, nearby address and whether water is flowing, pooling or icing.
Open fire hydrant	Call 311 immediately.	Give hydrant location, flow strength, traffic impact and whether children/vehicles are nearby.
Emergency shutoff	Call 311 immediately.	Explain if water is entering basement, damaging property or cannot be shut off privately.
Sewer backup / flooding concern	Call 311 and document the issue.	Give address, backup location, basement impact and whether neighbors are affected.

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Emergency tip: Take photos or short videos only if safe. Your first priority is reporting the exact location through 311 so the correct City crew can be routed.

DWM programs

Chicago DWM Programs: Free Water Testing, Lead Service Line Replacement and Sewer Drain Help

Beyond billing, DWM has service programs that matter for homeowners, tenants, landlords and property managers. These include free water testing, private sewer drain program information, lead service line replacement resources and the City service line inventory.

Free water testing

Use DWM program resources if you are concerned about water quality, testing or household water safety.

Lead service line resources

Chicago has lead service line replacement and service line inventory resources. This is especially important for older homes and property upgrades.

Private sewer drain help

Use DWM/private drain resources when the issue is related to private sewer/drain responsibilities rather than the main public sewer.

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Property-owner tip: If you are buying, selling or renovating a Chicago property, check water service line status, sewer/drain responsibilities and utility billing balance early. These issues can affect permits, closings and repair planning.

Open official DWM Programs and Services

High bill checklist

What to Check If Your Chicago Water Bill Looks Too High

A high Chicago utility bill can happen because of real usage, a private plumbing leak, an outdoor/underground leak, meter reading issue, water-sewer tax, sewer charges, previous balance, late charges or a billing adjustment. Use the checklist below before assuming the bill is only a payment problem.

High-bill clue	Possible reason	First check
Usage suddenly increased	Running toilet, outdoor leak, underground leak, irrigation or private plumbing leak.	Check toilets, faucets, basement, yard, meter area and recent repairs.
Outdoor/underground leak	Eligible leak may qualify for Leak Relief.	Document repair, photos, dates and apply through the official Leak Relief page if eligible.
Past due balance	Old charges, penalties or debt collection status may be affecting the bill.	Check UBR eligibility and payment plan options.
Senior homeowner	Senior sewer exemption may apply if eligibility rules are met.	Review utility charge exemptions and rebates.
Possible billing error	Meter, account, address, transfer or adjustment issue.	Call 312-744-4426 with the bill, account number and supporting photos/receipts ready.

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Leak-check tip: Turn off all water inside and outside the property, then check whether the meter still shows movement. Also test toilets with food coloring because silent toilet leaks are common and easy to miss.

Contact and map

Chicago Water Bill Phone Number, DWM Service Help, Payment Office and Map

Use the correct contact route. Billing and payments use Utility Billing & Customer Service. Water leaks, open hydrants and emergency shutoff requests use 311. DWM program questions should start from the DWM official page or program pages.

Utility Billing & Customer Service

Billing phone: 312-744-4426

Use for: water/sewer bill payment, balance questions, payment plans, account management, UBR and billing issues.

Portal: utilitybill.chicago.gov

Water service issues

Emergency/service request: Call 311

Use for: street leaks, parkway leaks, open hydrants, water emergencies, sewer backups and emergency water shutoff needs.

DWM page: Department of Water Management

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Before calling billing: Keep your account number, service address, bill date, payment confirmation, leak repair documents, photos and relief-program question ready.

Map shows Chicago City Hall at 121 N. LaSalle Street. For online water bill payment, use the official utility billing portal or Quick Pay.

Avoid mistakes

Common Chicago Water Bill and DWM Mistakes That Cause Delays

Chicago water issues become easier when you separate billing, field emergencies and relief programs. Most delays happen when customers use the wrong department or wait too long to document a leak or high-bill issue.

Mistake	Why it creates trouble	Better action
Calling DWM for a billing balance	Water bill payments and billing customer service are handled through Finance Utility Billing.	Use utilitybill.chicago.gov or call 312-744-4426.
Using unofficial payment links	Phishing and spoofing can target utility customers.	Type utilitybill.chicago.gov directly into the browser.
Waiting to report a street leak	Leaks can damage streets, sidewalks and property.	Call 311 immediately with exact location details.
Not documenting leak repairs	Leak Relief may require clear leak and repair documentation.	Save photos, contractor invoices, dates and receipts.
Ignoring UBR eligibility	Eligible customers may miss 50% rate reduction and possible debt forgiveness.	Check UBR eligibility early, before the account becomes harder to manage.
Assuming senior exemption applies automatically	Exemptions require eligibility and application/verification.	Review official Utility Charge Exemptions & Rebates.

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Best habit: Save utilitybill.chicago.gov, 312-744-4426, 311, the UBR page, the Leak Relief page and your utility account number in one phone note.

Most searched FAQs

Chicago Department of Water Management FAQs

These answers cover common searches about Chicago water bill payment, Utility Billing, Quick Pay, DWM, 311 leaks, water emergencies, UBR, Leak Relief, senior sewer exemption and lead service line resources.

QHow do I pay my Chicago water bill online?

Use the official City of Chicago Utility Billing portal at utilitybill.chicago.gov. You can sign in for account management or use Quick Pay to make a payment without signing in.

QWhat is Chicago Quick Pay?

Quick Pay is the City’s no-login payment option linked from the Utility Billing portal. Use it when you only need to make a one-time payment and do not need account tools.

QWhat can I do with Chicago Online Account Management?

The official login page says customers can pay a bill, enroll in paperless billing, set up AutoPay or SelectPay and set up a payment plan.

QWhat is the Chicago water bill customer service phone number?

The City utility portal lists 312-744-4426 for utility billing questions.

QWho processes Chicago water bill payments?

Water bill payments are processed through the City of Chicago Department of Finance Utility Billing & Customer Service, even though water/sewer operations are handled by the Department of Water Management.

QHow do I report a Chicago water leak?

Call 311 immediately for a street or parkway leak, open fire hydrant or emergency water shutoff need. Give the nearest address, cross street and visible impact.

QWhat is Chicago Utility Billing Relief?

Utility Billing Relief is a City program intended to make water and sewer bills more affordable for qualifying residents. Benefits include a 50% reduced rate on water, sewer and water-sewer tax, no penalties or debt collection and possible debt forgiveness after successful completion.

QHow does Chicago UBR debt forgiveness work?

During the first 12 months, the previous balance is set aside. After successful completion of the first 12 months and payment of current reduced charges, the previous unpaid balance can be forgiven.

QWhat is the Chicago Leak Relief Program?

The Leak Relief Program helps with bills from eligible outdoor or underground leaks. The program reduces impacted bills to an average of usual usage and applies benefits to the utility account.

QCan I apply for Leak Relief more than once?

The City describes the Leak Relief Program as available one time per utility billing account for eligible properties with eligible leaks. Review current program rules before applying.

QDoes Chicago have a Senior Citizen Sewer Exemption?

Yes. The City offers utility charge exemption and rebate programs, including the Senior Citizen Sewer Exemption for eligible seniors. Use the official Utility Charge Exemptions & Rebates page for current forms and rules.

QWhere can I pay my Chicago water bill in person?

The City lists payment locations including City Hall at 121 North LaSalle, Room 107A. Confirm current payment locations and hours on the official City payment locations page before visiting.

QDoes the Chicago Department of Water Management offer water testing?

DWM’s programs and services include free water testing resources. Use the official DWM Programs and Services page for current instructions.

QWhere do I find Chicago lead service line replacement information?

Use the Department of Water Management Programs and Services page for lead service line replacement and service line inventory resources.

QIs Water-Department.org the official Chicago Department of Water Management website?

No. This is an independent guide. Official payments, billing decisions, DWM service requests, relief applications and water emergencies must be handled through official City of Chicago resources.

Official source table

Official Sources for Chicago Department of Water Management and Utility Billing

Use these official City resources for final confirmation before paying a bill, requesting relief, reporting a leak, finding DWM services or applying for exemptions.

Official source	Use it for	Open
Department of Water Management	DWM official services, water/sewer operations, service programs and water-related city resources.	Open DWM
Utility Billing Portal	Quick Pay, online account management, UBR, Leak Relief and utility billing account access.	Open utility portal
Online Account Management	Pay bill, paperless billing, AutoPay, SelectPay and payment plan setup.	Open account login
Chicago Quick Pay	Make a utility bill payment without signing in.	Open Quick Pay
Utility Billing & Customer Service	Billing questions, customer service, payment options and utility billing resources.	Open Utility Billing
Utility Billing Relief	50% reduced rate, no penalties/debt collection and debt forgiveness after successful program completion.	Open UBR
Leak Relief Program	Eligible outdoor/underground leak bill relief and application information.	Open Leak Relief
Utility Charge Exemptions & Rebates	Senior Citizen Sewer Exemption, not-for-profit exemptions and utility rebate/exemption rules.	Open exemptions
DWM Contact / Questions	DWM contact guidance and emergency reporting instructions for leaks, hydrants and shutoff needs.	Open DWM contact
DWM Programs and Services	Free water testing, private sewer drain program, lead service line replacement and service line inventory.	Open DWM programs

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Final takeaway: For most Chicago residents, use utilitybill.chicago.gov or Quick Pay to pay a water/sewer bill, call 312-744-4426 for billing questions, call 311 for leaks or hydrant emergencies, check UBR if the bill is unaffordable, check Leak Relief if an eligible outdoor/underground leak caused a spike, and use DWM programs for water testing, lead service line and sewer/drain resources.