Baltimore County Water Bill Guide for Online Payment, County Charges and High-Bill Questions
This page explains the confusing Baltimore County water-bill setup in plain English: metered water is commonly paid through Baltimore City’s water billing system, while Baltimore County water distribution and sewer service charges can show up separately on the County property tax bill.
Use the action cards below to pay, find the right portal, understand annual County charges, check a high bill, handle a tenant or HOA situation, report a sewer backup, or prepare for a property sale without missing a lien issue.
Fast answer: For most Baltimore County customers served by the Baltimore regional water system, the regular metered water bill is paid through the City of Baltimore online payment and account lookup or the water billing customer portal. County-level water distribution and sewer service charges may also appear on the Baltimore County property tax bill.
Do not check only one place. If you are buying, selling, renting, inheriting, or disputing a bill, review both the water account and the County property tax bill because unpaid charges can create serious property and settlement problems.
Baltimore County Water Bill Quick Facts
Baltimore County Water Bill Task Board: Use the Right Official Link
The biggest mistake is treating every charge as one normal water bill. Baltimore County customers may need the City payment system, the County property tax system, or County utilities support depending on the issue.
I need to pay the water usage bill
Use Baltimore City’s online payment/account lookup because metered water billing is handled through the City system for many County customers.
Open payment lookupI need billing history or consumption history
Use the DPW water billing customer portal. You may need the activation code printed on the bill or launch/welcome letter.
Open water portalI see sewer service or water distribution on tax bill
Use Baltimore County’s property tax payment/search system and contact County tax billing for property-tax charge questions.
Search County tax billI cannot access my water account
Call 410-396-5398 or email dpw.billing@baltimorecity.gov for billing account investigation and portal help.
Try portal firstMy bill or tax charge is unusually high
Check usage history, leaks, toilets, irrigation, meter size, prior-year consumption, County sewer service charges and property-tax water distribution charges.
Use high-bill checklistI am buying, selling or inheriting property
Check water account balance, lien status, County tax bill, HOA/master-meter issues and settlement payoff requirements before closing.
Use closing checklistI have a sewer backup
For a Baltimore County sewer backup, call the County sewer backup line at 410-887-7415 and document the time, photos and cleanup steps.
County utilities pageI have a water main break
For Baltimore County service-area water emergencies, DPW notices list 410-396-5352. If you are unsure, call 311 or the appropriate emergency contact.
Baltimore DPWWhy Baltimore County Water Billing Feels Confusing
Baltimore County water billing is not like a simple city-owned utility bill in many other places. The most important thing is knowing which bill you are looking at.
| Charge or bill | Where it usually appears | Who to check first | What it means | Official action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metered water usage bill | Baltimore City water billing / payment system | Baltimore City DPW / Finance | This is the usage-based water account that customers search and pay online. | Look up/pay water |
| Water Distribution Charge | Baltimore County property tax bill | Baltimore County Budget and Finance | County Metropolitan District charge tied to the property, separate from City water rates. | Search County tax bill |
| Sewer Service Charge | Baltimore County property tax bill | Baltimore County Budget and Finance / Public Works | Annual sewer charge for property connected to the County sewer system. | County utilities |
| Payment convenience fees | Baltimore City payment portal | City payment page | ACH/checking payments may be free; card payments may have a convenience fee. | Payment page |
| Past-due lien risk | Water account and/or property tax-related records | Both City and County systems | Unpaid water, sewer or tax-bill charges can affect sale, settlement, refinance or inheritance. | Use lien checklist |
How to Pay or Look Up a Baltimore County Metered Water Bill
Open the official City payment lookup
Use the Baltimore City Online Payments and Account Lookup page. Choose the metered water option and search using the information from the water bill.
Open payment lookupReview the account before paying
Check the service address, account number, bill amount, due date, payment history and any unusual consumption or past-due balance.
Open water portalPick the payment method
City payment pages list online, phone, mail and walk-in payment options. Checking account payments are listed as free on the payment page, while cards have a convenience fee.
Compare payment optionsSave proof
Save the confirmation number, account number, amount, date and method. This matters if a payment is posted late or a settlement company asks for proof.
Pay / save confirmationWater Billing Portal, Activation Code and Account History
Activation code
The water billing portal may require an activation code. Baltimore portal instructions say County water customers can find it on the launch letter, first page of the new bill or new-customer welcome letter.
Open portalBilling and consumption history
The water portal is useful for checking billing history, payment history and water consumption history before disputing a high bill.
View account historyPortal help
If the activation code does not work, call 410-396-5398 or email dpw.billing@baltimorecity.gov with account number, service address and issue.
Portal loginBaltimore County Property Tax Bill: Water Distribution and Sewer Service Charges
A Baltimore County “water bill” problem may actually be on the annual County property tax bill. This is especially important for homeowners, landlords, inherited properties, condo associations and settlement companies.
Water Distribution Charge
Baltimore County law allows an annual water distribution charge for buildings connected with the water system in the Metropolitan District. It is separate from City water rates.
Check property tax billSewer Service Charge
Properties connected to the sewer system may owe an annual sewer service charge. This can be based on prior usage data or applicable County methods.
County utilitiesLien effect
County code treats these charges as property-related charges that can remain tied to the property until paid.
Review tax accountCall script for a County tax-bill water/sewer charge
Phone, Mail and Walk-In Payment Options
| Need | Official contact or location | Use this for | Prepare first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metered water payment question | 410-396-3988 | Questions about paying a metered water account. | Water account number and service address. |
| Water account investigation | 410-396-5398 | Portal help, activation code, account issue, billing investigation. | Account number, address, bill copy and dates. |
| Credit card telephone payment | 877-729-6269 | Card payment through the City’s payment processing service. | Account number, card, payment amount. |
| Check payment by phone | 866-397-4609 | Telephone check payment with no convenience fee listed on the City payment page. | Routing number, bank account number, payment amount. |
| Mail metered water payment | City of Baltimore Bureau of Revenue Collections, P.O. Box 17535, Baltimore, MD 21297-1535 | Non-urgent mailed checks for metered water or related City bills. | Account number and payment stub. Do not mail cash. |
| Walk-in City water payment | Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday St., Baltimore, MD 21202 | In-person payment or Revenue Collections help. | Bill, ID, account number and accepted payment method. |
| County tax bill questions | Baltimore County Office of Budget and Finance, 400 Washington Ave., Room 150, Towson, MD 21204 | Water distribution or sewer charge appearing on County property tax bill. | Parcel, tax bill, property address and owner details. |
High Baltimore County Water Bill: Leak, Meter, Tax Charge or HOA Issue?
A high bill can come from actual use, a leak, a meter/account problem, a County tax-bill charge, sewer calculation, or a shared-meter setup. Work through the checklist before paying blindly.
Inside leaks
- Running toilet or bad flapper.
- Faucet, shower or tub drip.
- Water heater discharge.
- Hidden line to ice maker or humidifier.
Outdoor use
- Irrigation schedule changed.
- Hose or pool fill event.
- Wet spot near meter or curb.
- Contractor used water during work.
Meter/account check
- Compare usage history in portal.
- Check service address and account number.
- Ask if the reading was estimated.
- Request account investigation if needed.
HOA or shared meter
- Check HOA covenants.
- Ask who legally owns the account.
- Verify meter serves one property or many.
- Get account responsibility in writing.
High-bill call script
Tenant, Landlord, New Owner and HOA Steps
| Situation | What to check | Why it matters | Action link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenant paying water | Lease language, invoice, account holder and copy of bill. | Tenant responsibility should be clear and written, not only verbal. | Check water portal |
| Landlord renting property | Whether tenant pays usage bill and owner still owes County tax-bill water/sewer charges. | County charges may still appear on the owner’s tax bill even when tenant pays regular water use. | County tax search |
| New owner | Final water balance, lien certificate, County tax bill, service address and account transfer. | Old balances can create closing problems if not cleared. | Look up account |
| HOA or condo association | Master meter, shared account, covenants, who collects payments and who pays DPW. | A shared-meter setup can create major responsibility disputes if documents and billing are mismatched. | Use lien checklist |
Assistance and Payment Plan Reality for Baltimore County Customers
Do not assume every Baltimore City water assistance program applies the same way to a Baltimore County property. First confirm whether the account is a Baltimore City resident account, a County-served account, a landlord/tenant account, or a shared-meter/HOA account.
Start with the account type
Use the water bill and portal to confirm the account, service address and who is responsible before asking for assistance or payment arrangements.
Open water portalCall before the balance grows
For metered water account investigation, call 410-396-5398. Ask what payment, dispute or account-review options exist for your exact account.
Payment lookupUse 211 for broader help
For general household utility, rent, food or emergency support referrals in Maryland, use 211 to find current local resources.
Maryland 211Water Main Break, Sewer Backup or Urgent Service Issue
Water main break
For Baltimore County service-area water emergencies, DPW notices list 410-396-5352. If water is actively flooding, call immediately and document the location.
Baltimore DPWSewer backup
For Baltimore County sewer backups, call 410-887-7415. Photograph damage, record times, and avoid unsafe contact with sewage.
County utilitiesPrivate plumbing
If the issue is inside the home or on a private service line, you may need a plumber while still reporting public-side issues to the correct agency.
Check utilities contactProperty Sale, Inheritance, Lien and Settlement Checklist
Baltimore County water-related charges can matter during a real estate closing. Do not wait for a title company to catch the issue at the last minute.
Before listing or closing
- Look up the metered water account.
- Check the County property tax bill.
- Ask for payoff amount if there is a balance.
- Ask whether any water/sewer charges are liens.
- Confirm whether the property has a shared or master meter.
If there is a dispute
- Collect bills, account history and payment receipts.
- Get HOA covenants or landlord documents if relevant.
- Write down every call date, representative and case number.
- Ask for the dispute path in writing.
- Do not assume a payment plan removes the lien immediately.
Settlement call script
Baltimore Water Billing and County Finance Office Maps
Use the first map for Baltimore City Revenue Collections/water payment tasks. Use the second for Baltimore County property tax bill questions involving water distribution or sewer service charges.
City water payment office
Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday St., Baltimore, MD 21202.
Baltimore County Budget and Finance
400 Washington Avenue, Room 150, Towson, MD 21204.
Bring for City water
Water bill, account number, service address, payment method, ID and any dispute notes.
Bring for County tax charge
Property tax bill, parcel number, address, owner information and prior water usage documentation if relevant.
Ask before leaving
“Is there any remaining balance, lien, tax-bill charge or follow-up form I need to handle?”
Official Baltimore County Water Bill Links
Baltimore County Water Bill FAQ
Where do I pay a Baltimore County water bill online?
For many Baltimore County properties served by the regional water system, the metered water bill is paid through Baltimore City’s Online Payments and Account Lookup page or the water billing customer portal.
Why does my Baltimore County property tax bill show water or sewer charges?
Baltimore County may place annual Water Distribution Charge and Sewer Service Charge items on the County property tax bill for properties in the Metropolitan District. These are separate from the regular metered water usage bill.
Who do I call for Baltimore County water account investigation?
For metered water account investigation or portal access problems, call 410-396-5398 or email dpw.billing@baltimorecity.gov with the account number, service address and issue.
What is the Baltimore metered water payment phone number?
The City payment page lists 410-396-3988 for metered water payment questions. It also lists ACI phone payment numbers for card and checking-account payments.
Can I pay a Baltimore water bill by checking account?
Yes. Baltimore’s payment page says checking account payments are free online. Phone check payments are also listed separately from credit card payments.
Can unpaid water or sewer charges affect a property sale?
Yes. Unpaid water, sewer, tax-bill or Metropolitan District charges can create lien or closing problems. Sellers, buyers, heirs and title companies should check both the water account and County tax bill.
What should I do if my Baltimore County water bill is very high?
Check billing history, consumption history, toilets, irrigation, leaks, service address, account number, meter size, County tax-bill charges and any HOA or shared-meter arrangement before assuming the bill is correct.
Who handles sewer backups in Baltimore County?
For Baltimore County sewer backup reporting, use the County utilities route and call 410-887-7415. Take photos and document dates, times and cleanup details.
How do renters handle Baltimore County water bill responsibility?
Renters should review the lease, ask for a copy of the water bill or written invoice, confirm who is named on the account, and keep proof of every payment. Verbal-only water responsibility is risky.
Where is the Baltimore County tax office for water/sewer property tax charges?
Maryland’s official tax collection office listing shows Baltimore County Office of Budget and Finance at 400 Washington Avenue, Room 150, Towson, MD 21204. Real property tax bill questions are listed at 410-887-2404.