How To Pay Your Baltimore Water Bill: A Complete Guide

Having access to clean, reliable water services is essential for every household and business. As a city resident, it is your responsibility to pay your Baltimore water bills on time. Failure to do so can lead to disruption of services and other penalties. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the different ways to pay your Baltimore water bill conveniently.

Overview of Baltimore Water Billing

The Department of Public Works (DPW) handles water billing for Baltimore City They send out bills on a monthly or bimonthly cycle based on your meter readings

A typical water bill has:

• Water usage charges – Based on the amount of water used in CCF (hundred cubic feet)

• Sewer usage charges – For wastewater treatment services.

• Stormwater fee – Charged to all properties for storm drain system maintenance

• Bay Restoration and Clean Water Act fees.

• Account service fee and infrastructure surcharge.

ePay is the online billing system used by DPW. You can check your balance, payment history and make payments on ePay.

Late Fees: Bills are due within 21 days. A 10% penalty is added for late payments. Services may be disconnected if the bill is 60 days past due.

Pay Online Through ePay

The fastest way to pay your Baltimore water bill is via the ePay online portal. You can make instant payments using your checking account or credit/debit card.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Visit ePay website and click on “Pay Now”.

2. Enter your 10-digit account number and click “Search”.

3. Choose a payment method and enter required details.

4. Review payment info and click “Submit Payment”.

You’ll receive an email confirmation with transaction details. The payment will reflect in 1-2 business days.

Pay by Phone

Call 410-396-5398 to use the automated phone payment system of DPW. Have your account number, card details or checking account details handy before calling.

You can also call 410-396-3982 to speak with a customer service agent and process your payment.

A processing fee of $1.95 is applicable for phone payments.

Pay by Mail

To pay your water bill by mail, make your check payable to “Director of Finance” and mail to:

Director of Finance
P.O. Box 17535
Baltimore, MD 21297-1535

Write your 10-digit account number on the check memo to credit the proper account. Allow 7-10 days for check processing.

Pay In-Person

You can pay your water bill in-person at the Abel Wolman Municipal Building:

Abel Wolman Municipal Building
200 N. Holliday St.
Baltimore, MD 21202

Cash, check, money order and card payments are accepted. Carry your water bill or know your account number.

Auto-Pay Enrollment

For hassle-free payments, enroll in auto-pay through ePay system. Your water bills will be paid automatically each month using your default payment method.

To enroll:

1. Log into ePay and go to “My Profile”.

2. Choose “AutoPay Program” and agree to terms.

3. Select a default payment method from your stored accounts.

4. Save changes.

You can receive email alerts when payments are processed. Auto-pay prevents late fees and service disruptions.

Financial Assistance Programs

Baltimore offers payment assistance programs if you are having trouble paying your water bills:

• BH2O Assists – billing relief and debt forgiveness for low income residents.

• BH2O Distributes – Free water filters and test kits.

• Hardship Exemption Program – Reduced sewer usage charges if usage spiked.

Review eligibility and apply through the ePay portal or call 410-396-5398 for help. You can also set up payment arrangements for outstanding balances.

Disputing Your Water Bill

If you notice any incorrect charges or discrepancies in your water bill, contact DPW immediately to dispute it.

Some common bill disputes include:

• Spike in water usage due to leaks.

• Meter reading errors.

• Multiple houses on same meter.

• Vacant property still receiving bills.

• Being billed for previous tenant’s dues.

Submit dispute request through ePay website or call 410-396-5398. Provide supporting evidence like photos, bills etc. DPW will investigate and resolve the issue before your payment due date.

How to Read Your Water Meter

Reading your home water meter regularly (monthly or quarterly) allows you to:

• Track your household usage and spot leaks early.

• Verify meter readings on your bill are accurate.

• Monitor usage by fixtures to identify wastage.

Here are some tips for reading your digital or analog water meter:

• Locate the water meter box – Usually near the curb or public path to your house.

• Open the lid using the meter key if required.

• Note down all the digits shown on the meter display. Write units like CCF or gallons.

• Subtract previous reading to calculate usage.

• For analog meters, read the 5 digits from left to right. Ignore non-number dials.

Compare your readings to those on your water bills to ensure correct billing. Contact DPW if the meter seems faulty or readings don’t match usage.

Summary