Over 27 million residents rely on the City of Chicago for water and sewer services. Paying your water bill on time is essential to avoid late fees, service disruption or even having a lien placed on your property Chicago offers various convenient options to pay your water bill quickly and easily.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know as a Chicago resident about receiving, understanding, and paying your water utility bill.
Receiving Your Water Bill
Water bills in Chicago are issued on a monthly basis. The billing date is typically around the 10th of each month. Both water and sewer charges will appear on your monthly bill. Bills are mailed to your service address.
Your water bill will include important details like:
- Account number
- Service address
- Current charges
- Payment due date
- Amount due
When you get your bill, read it carefully to make sure all the information is correct. Contact the Department of Finance immediately if you notice any errors.
Understanding Your Chicago Water Bill
There are a few key aspects to understand about your Chicago water utility bill
Water Charges – This portion is based on your metered water consumption in hundreds of cubic feet (CCF). The rate per CCF depends on your usage tier.
Sewer Charges – This is based on your water consumption since most water ends up going into the sewer system Sewer rates are a percentage of your water charges
Account Fees – This includes a $3.53 account charge and $0.59 billing and collections charge each month.
Taxes – A Illinois state tax and Chicago water-sewer tax will be applied.
Due Date – Payment must be received by this date to avoid late fees. Usually around the 28th of the month.
Late Fees – Bills not paid by the due date incur a $33 late penalty.
Review your charges each month to make sure they align with your actual usage. If you see inconsistencies, contact the Department of Finance to investigate.
Options for Paying Your Water Bill
Chicago offers many ways to pay your water bill conveniently. Choose the option that best suits your needs and preferences:
Pay Online
The fastest way to pay is through the City’s online payment portal at pay.chicago.gov. You can securely pay by credit/debit card or electronic check 24/7. You’ll need your 10-digit account number from your bill.
Pay by Phone
Call 312-744-4426 to use the automated phone system and pay with a card or electronic check. Have your account number handy to complete the payment.
Pay by Mail
Detach the payment stub from your bill and mail with a check or money order to:
City of Chicago Utility Billing
P.O. Box 6330
Chicago, IL 60680
Write your account number on the check. Allow 7-10 days to process.
Pay In-Person
Bring your bill to one of the designated City payment locations:
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City Hall: 121 N. LaSalle St. Room 107A, open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
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Central Hearing Facility: 400 W. Superior, 1st Floor, open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm
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Neighborhood Payment Centers, open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
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EZ Pay Stations – over 100 self-service kiosks located at City libraries, police stations and retail partners.
Cash, checks, credit/debit cards accepted. Get a receipt as proof of payment.
Enroll in AutoPay
For hands-free payment, enroll in AutoPay through the online portal to have payments automatically debited from your bank account each month.
Avoid Late Fees and Service Disruption
To avoid late fees or water service shut-off, pay your water bill in full by the due date printed on your statement. Late fees are 10% of the overdue balance.
If your account becomes 30 days past due, the City may turn off water service. You’ll have to pay all past due charges along with a $500 turn-on fee to resume service. Protect your credit and maintain uninterrupted water by paying on time.
Payment Assistance Programs
If you are low-income and unable to pay your water bill, Chicago offers assistance programs:
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Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Provides up to $150 annually in bill payment assistance if you meet income guidelines.
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Utility Billing Relief (UBR) – Offers a 50% discount on water/sewer services for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
You can apply for these utility bill assistance programs through the Chicago Department of Finance. Have your water account number and income documentation ready.
Disputing Your Water Bill
If you believe your water bill is inaccurate, contact the Department of Finance right away to dispute the charges. Some common reasons to dispute a bill:
- Spike in water usage from a potential leak
- Improperly calculated sewer charges
- Meter reading errors
- Incorrect billing address
Work collaboratively with the Department of Finance to investigate disputed bills and make corrections as needed. Document all communication and requests. Pay the undisputed portion on time to maintain service.
New Account Setup
To start new water utility services in Chicago, begin by contacting the Department of Water Management to schedule a meter installation. Once your meter is in place, the Department of Finance will open a utility account so you can receive and pay bills.
Provide accurate contact information and service address when setting up your account to avoid issues. Keep your account number handy to pay bills and manage your account going forward.
Understanding water billing practices in Chicago and paying promptly will help you avoid unnecessary fees or service disruptions. Explore which payment options fit your needs, enroll in assistance programs if eligible and don’t hesitate to reach out to the Department of Finance with any billing questions or disputes.
Service Billing & Rates
Residential units are billed quarterly through the City’s service provider. There are three service rate options available to residents. If your management service supplies dumpsters, the listed programs do not apply.
- Standard Program: Each household receives one 35- gallon capacity tote for their use for weekly waste collection. One universal refuse/yard waste sticker will be required for every extra can or bag.
- Large Family: Households can request a 95-gallon capacity tote (equivalent to about 3 regular garbage cans) for an additional monthly fee; universal stickers will be required for any extra items.
- Senior Discount: Seniors 65 years of age or older are eligible for a discount on the Standard Program. To receive a discount, please bring your driver’s license or State I.D. as well as your current property tax bill to City Hall for verification.
To arrange for cart delivery, or for more information, please call (847) 429-7370, or visit Groot’s website.
Current Service Rates The following rates are effective as of January 1, 2024.
- 35-Gallon cart (Senior Rate): $10.13
- 35-Gallon cart (Regular Rate): $15.00
- 95-Gallon cart: $21.33
- Universal Sticker: $2.59
- Yard Waste Cart Annual Subscription: $225.11
Resident pickup occurs on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday based on location of residence. Residents can view the pickup route map to see which day their pickup occurs.
Holiday Pickup Schedule In the event a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all regularly scheduled services shall be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. Holidays falling on Sunday are observed the following Monday with services delayed one day that week.
Recognized holidays include: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Residents on vacation, or away from their homes, for longer than four weeks may have their service stopped for this period and will not be billed. Service will automatically resume on a specified date.
Water & Sewer
Use the Illinois E-Pay system to make a one-time payment, or create an account to pay bills conveniently online with no signatures required. Payments can be made with a MasterCard, American Express or Discover card. Please note, the State charges a convenience fee for use of this service.
City offers help paying soaring water, sewer bills
FAQ
How is water billed in Chicago?
Who provides water in Chicago?
Do Chicago residents pay for water?
Is water in Chicago free?
How do I pay my water bill in Chicago?
If you have been posted with a notice of water service termination, we recommend you pay on-line, over the phone or in-person at a City of Chicago Department of Finance Payment Center. If you cannot pay your bill in full, there are payment plans available. More information is available under utility bill payment plans. 11.
How do I pay my utility bill in Chicago?
The City of Chicago offers a variety of convenient payment options to help make paying your utility bill quicker and easier. The easiest way to pay is through the City’s new web portal for utility billing. The web portal allows you to: The AutoPay feature allows you to pay your bills with automatic debits from your bank account.
What payment plans does utility billing & customer service offer?
Utility Billing & Customer Service has several payment plan options to residents. Reduced water rates, debt forgiveness, and benefit payments toward water & sewer bills for low-income households. Exemption and rebate programs for senior citizens and not-for-profit organizations.
Does Chicago have a sewer system?
In Chicago, the sewer system also handles rainwater removal. The Chicago Department of Water Management is working closely with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to increase the capacity of our drainage systems. There are some steps homeowners can take to help prevent water from backing up into their basements: