This page helps you handle a water bill need in Baltimore City, Maryland, including looking up an account, paying online, asking a billing question, and finding help when a bill is high or past due.
Baltimore City Department of Public Works and the City of Baltimore Online Payments and Account Lookup are the main official channels for water billing tasks.
City of Baltimore Online Payments and Account Lookup
Use the City of Baltimore water payment lookup to find a water account by account number or service address and move to the payment process.
- Account number
- Service address as it appears on the top portion of the bill
When using the service address option, enter the address in the format shown on the bill and use common abbreviations such as W for West, N for North, St for Street, and Dr for Drive.
- Open the water account lookup and payment page.
- Choose account number search or service address search.
- Enter the account number or service address.
- Review the account result before continuing with payment.
Baltimore water service account portal
The Baltimore Water Service Account portal is used for DPW Customer online activities. Existing users can sign in with an email address and password, while new customers must sign up with an 8-character activation code.
New customers can find the activation code on the first page of the water bill or on the second page of the New Customer Welcome Letter. The portal requires JavaScript and cookies to be enabled in the browser.
For access issues, contact the Customer Support and Services Division listed below.
Water billing questions and service requests
For questions about a Baltimore City water bill, use the official online question form. After submitting an inquiry, the City says customers should receive an answer within 5 business days.
- Full name
- Email address
- Description of the billing question or issue
If no one contacts you after submitting the form, call Customer Support and Services Division at (410) 396-5398.
Understanding charges on a Baltimore City water bill
Baltimore City water bills are based on water usage and several fees that support the water system. Charges may include water used during the service period, infrastructure fee, stormwater fee, Bay restoration fee, and account management fee.
Water and sewer usage is measured in CCF units. One CCF equals 100 cubic feet of water, or about 748 gallons. The bill may also show meter reading details, total gallons, meter size, and historical usage.
A bill may change if the service period is longer or shorter than usual, if the meter reading was estimated, or if water use increased during the billing cycle.
Higher than normal water bills
A higher water bill can result from a longer service period, an estimated meter read, increased water use, or leaks on the property. Baltimore City customers normally have a 30-day service period.
Check the read type under Meter Reading Details and compare daily use in the self-service portal. Toilets and faucets are common sources of leaks, and customers are responsible for fixing leaks in the home or yard.
Important: City work on water or sewer pipes does not change the amount of water that passes through a customer’s meter.
Water and sewer adjustment requests
DPW may adjust a bill when high usage was caused by a leak or certain situational issues involving appliances or interior fixtures. Underground leak requests require proof that a licensed plumber repaired the leak.
The property owner or an authorized person designated by the property owner must request the adjustment within 60 days of the bill being issued. Water loss from theft or vandalism is not covered.
Customers may receive an underground leak adjustment at a property once every two years and an interior or situational usage adjustment once every three years. If approved, the bill change is expected to appear about 4 weeks after DPW receives the form.
Payment assistance and payment plans
Baltimore City residents who need help paying a water bill can review assistance programs through DPW. Programs may include lower bills, payment plans, financial help, discounts, or fee waivers.
Water4All is a water billing discount program for eligible Baltimore City residential households with income below 200% of the federal poverty level. Some tenants may qualify when lease terms or invoices show water and sewer responsibility.
PromisePay offers interest-free payment plans for Baltimore City residential water customers with past-due balances of $250 to $5,000. Commercial businesses should contact a water customer service analyst at (410) 396-5398.
Review water bill assistance options or apply for Water4All.
New service, ownership changes, and delinquent accounts
For new water services or abandonments, the Rates and Revenue section can be reached at (410) 396-5533. Rate and fee charges continue until a property is formally abandoned, the meter is removed, the account is inactive, and required balances and abandonment fees are paid.
Water accounts are held in the name of the property owner on record with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Property owners can add another party as a bill recipient, but the property owner remains responsible for timely payment.
For ownership updates, use the City’s change of ownership form. Tenants whose names are not on the water bill cannot receive detailed billing information from staff and should contact the landlord or management company.
Bills are considered delinquent when an account has an unpaid balance of $250 or more and is two payment periods in arrears. Delinquent accounts may be subject to water service shutoff after appropriate notice.
Baltimore City water bill contacts
Use these contacts for water bill questions, payment help, portal access, assistance programs, and related account issues.
- DPW Customer Support and Services Division, Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 Holliday Street, First Floor Room 8, Baltimore, MD 21202. Phone: (410) 396-5398. Email: dpw.billing@baltimorecity.gov
- Water Bill Assistance office, 200 Holliday St, First Floor, Room 8, Baltimore, MD 21202. Office hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Phone: (410) 396-5398
- Bureau of Revenue Collections, 200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
- Rates and Revenue section. Phone: (410) 396-5533
- Water4All. Phone: (410) 396-5555
- PromisePay representatives. Phone: (410) 779-9808
- City Operator, City Hall - Room 250, 100 N. Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202. Phone: (410) 396-3100. Hours of operation: M - F: 8:00am - 5:00pm
- Baltimore 311. Call 3-1-1 within City of Baltimore. Outside City call: (443) 263-2220
Common questions
Where can I pay or look up a Baltimore City water bill online?
Use the City of Baltimore Online Payments and Account Lookup page to search by account number or service address and continue to payment.
What should I enter for a service address search?
Enter the service address as it appears on the top portion of the bill. Use abbreviations such as W, N, St, and Dr when they match the bill.
How long does Baltimore City take to answer a water billing question?
After an online inquiry is submitted, the City says customers should receive an answer within 5 business days. If not contacted, call (410) 396-5398.
What is needed to sign up for the Baltimore Water Service Account portal?
New customers need the 8-character activation code from the first page of the bill or the second page of the New Customer Welcome Letter.
Can Baltimore City adjust a high water bill caused by a leak?
DPW may adjust certain high-usage bills. Underground leak requests require proof of repair from a licensed plumber and must meet the City’s adjustment rules.
When is a Baltimore City water bill considered delinquent?
A bill is delinquent when the account has an unpaid balance of $250 or more and is two payment periods in arrears.
Who is responsible for a Baltimore City water account?
The water account is held in the property owner’s name on record with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, and the owner remains responsible for timely payment.