NYC Water Bill Help Center: Pay DEP, Read Charges, Stop Shutoff & Fix High Bills
This guide is for New York City property owners, tenants, landlords and managers who need to pay a DEP water and sewer bill, set up My DEP Account, understand the 2026 rate, handle an overdue notice, or dispute a high bill.
Start with the action cards below. Each step includes the official DEP link, phone number, address or email exactly where you need it, so you can finish the task without hunting across different city pages.
Fast answer: New York City water and sewer bills are handled by DEP. To pay, you need the 13-digit DEP water/sewer account number from your bill. Use My DEP Account for full account tools or QuickPay for a one-time payment. For live billing help, call 718-595-7000.
If the account is overdue: do not wait. DEP says serious delinquency can lead to shutoff, legal referral or lien-sale action. Contact the Collections Unit at 718-595-7890 or collectionsunit@dep.nyc.gov to ask about a payment agreement.
New York Water Bill Quick Facts
NYC Water Bill Action Board: Click the Right Official Step
This is the fastest path for most searches: pay bill, log in, fix a high bill, dispute a charge, handle a shutoff notice, or get assistance.
I want to pay now
Use DEP How to Pay to choose My DEP Account, QuickPay, phone, mail or in-person payment.
Open official pay pageI need the full account portal
Use My DEP Account to pay, view bills, enroll in eBilling, track usage, submit forms and monitor leak alerts.
Log in to My DEPI only need one payment
Use QuickPay for a one-time payment without setting up a full My DEP Account.
Use QuickPayI cannot pay in full
Contact DEP Collections for a payment agreement before enforcement becomes harder to fix.
Overdue account helpMy bill jumped suddenly
Check usage, leak alerts, meter readings and leak forgiveness rules before assuming the bill is final.
Leak forgiveness rulesI need a person
Call DEP Customer Service or visit any borough office, regardless of your borough of residence.
Customer service pageNew York Water Bill: NYC DEP or Another Local Utility?
If the property is in NYC
Use NYC DEP for properties in the five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island.
Go to NYC DEP pay optionsIf the property is outside NYC
Water billing is usually local. Search your city, village or town name plus “water bill pay,” then verify the official government domain.
Confirm NYC DEP only if NYC propertyHow to Pay a New York City Water Bill Online, by Phone, Mail or In Person
| Payment path | Use when | Official detail | Action link / contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| My DEP Account | You want full account tools, bill history, eBilling, leak notifications or forms. | Requires account number and activation token from the bill during sign-up. | Open My DEP Account |
| QuickPay | You want a one-time online payment without account setup. | DEP says QuickPay payments are credited to the account the next business day. | Use QuickPay |
| Phone payment | You prefer automated phone payment. | Call 866-622-8292, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. | Call 866-622-8292 |
| DEP Borough Office | You need in-person water account help and can pay by check or money order. | Customers can use any borough office, regardless of borough of residence. | Find borough offices |
| NYC Department of Finance Business Center | You need to pay in person with cash, check or money order. | DEP directs cash in-person payments to DOF Business Centers. | Find DOF centers |
| You are not close to a deadline and can wait for mailing/posting. | Make check or money order payable to NYC Water Board and include the bill stub. | NYC Water Board, P.O. Box 11863, Newark, NJ 07101-8163 |
My DEP Account Setup: What You Need from the Bill
Find your account number
DEP says the water/sewer account number has 13 numbers and appears on the bill.
Bill FAQFind your activation token
For My DEP sign-up, use the activation token printed on the water and wastewater bill.
Sign-up instructionsUse the account after setup
Pay online, print current/past bills, review billing history, track usage, submit forms and receive leak notifications.
Open My DEPAdd AutoPay if it fits
Autopay can pay on the due date or a specific monthly date. Check current credit offers and rules before enrolling.
Autopay detailsHow to Read a NYC Water and Sewer Bill Without Missing the Important Parts
Before disputing or paying, match the top summary to the detailed meter section. Many mistakes happen because users look only at “Pay this Amount.”
| Bill area | What to look for | Why it matters | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top boxes | 13-digit account number, issue date, due date, amount due and payment amount box. | These are the details needed for payment and customer service. | Use DEP bill FAQ |
| Meter section | Meter number, last reading date, current reading date, number of days and read type. | This tells you whether the bill is based on actual use or an estimate. | Compare bill reading with meter if estimated. |
| Consumption | Cubic feet and rounded 100 cubic feet units. | NYC bills by HCF. 1 HCF = 748 gallons. | Use the estimator below. |
| Water and sewer charge | Water charge, sewer charge and total “Pay this Amount.” | The total should match the top amount due box. | If it does not, contact DEP Customer Service. |
| Return address | NYC Water Board, P.O. Box 11863, Newark, NJ 07101-8163. | Use for mailed checks/money orders only when not close to a deadline. | Include bill stub and account details. |
NYC Water Bill Rate Estimator for 2026–2027
For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, DEP lists a metered water rate of $5.35 per HCF and a combined water/sewer charge of $13.50 per HCF. One HCF equals 748 gallons.
This tool is for quick planning only. Your actual bill may include prior balances, late charges, fees, adjustments, estimated reads, or other account-specific items.
Overdue NYC Water Bill: Shutoff, Payment Agreement, Lien or Legal Notice
If the account is seriously delinquent, DEP says collection actions can include service termination, legal referral and tax lien sale. Use this section before the deadline passes.
Call Collections first
For payment agreement or shutoff questions, contact 718-595-7890, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm.
Call 718-595-7890Email if needed
Use collectionsunit@dep.nyc.gov for payment agreement questions or watershutoff@dep.nyc.gov for shutoff documentation.
Email CollectionsKnow the 25% rule
DEP says avoiding termination generally requires full payment or a payment agreement with a 25% down payment.
Read overdue rulesAsk about exemptions
Households with a senior, disability, significant medical condition or child under 6 may have shutoff-exemption options.
Email Shutoff DocumentationUse this urgent call script
NYC Water Bill Assistance, Credits and Autopay
Home Water Assistance Program
Eligible one- to four-family homeowners automatically receive the credit if they qualify through HEAP, SCHE, DHE or Veterans Exemption criteria.
Open HWAP page$191 credit
DEP says credits totaling $191 appear on the first DEP bill after credits are applied and are labeled as NYC Home Water Assistance Credit and HWAP Plus.
NYC311 HWAP detailsAutopay+
DEP says qualifying customers may get a $50 credit when enrolled in autopay, eBilling and monthly billing, subject to program rules.
Check Autopay+ rulesHigh NYC Water Bill: Leak Forgiveness and Practical Checks
A high water bill is often caused by leaks, estimated reads, billing catch-up or meter issues. Start with usage and meter evidence before disputing.
Check toilets first
- Listen for running water.
- Use food coloring in the tank.
- Wait without flushing.
- If color enters the bowl, repair the flapper/fill valve.
Use My DEP usage tools
My DEP Account lets customers track water usage and sign up for online leak notifications.
Check usage in My DEPApply for leak forgiveness
DEP says eligible leaks must meet program rules and requests can be mailed or submitted as a high-bill dispute in My DEP Account.
Open leak forgiveness| Leak forgiveness rule | What DEP says | What the user should do |
|---|---|---|
| Bill spike threshold | Leak cost must generally equal at least 200% of a normal representative bill; some cases use 150%. | Compare the high bill against normal billing periods. |
| Repair deadline | Leak must be fixed within 120 days from the original high bill date. | Repair quickly and keep evidence. |
| Request deadline | Written request must be submitted within 120 days from the original high bill date. | Do not wait for the next bill before starting. |
| Possible credit | DEP says one half of the high bill amount may be forgiven, but final amount owed will not be less than 150% of the property’s typical bill. | Expect partial relief, not full cancellation. |
| Where to mail | BCS Correspondence—Leak Program, 59-17 Junction Blvd., 7th Floor, Flushing, NY 11373. | Or create a high-bill dispute in My DEP Account. |
Estimated Bill, Meter Reading or Meter Accuracy Problem
Estimated bill
DEP says estimated bills happen when reliable meter reading information is not available. Do not ignore three sequential estimates.
Read estimated bill FAQMeter responsibility
Owners must protect water meters from freezing or damage. Some meter replacement situations can become owner responsibility.
Meter FAQAccuracy test
DEP says a meter accuracy test is not free; the listed service fee is $180 before the appointment can be arranged.
Call 718-595-7000Owner, Tenant, Landlord and New Buyer Steps
| User situation | What matters | Practical next step | Official resource |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner paying normal bill | Use 13-digit account number, amount due and due date. | Pay through My DEP, QuickPay, phone, mail or in person. | How to Pay |
| Tenant received shutoff notice | DEP says tenants should notify the landlord immediately; DEP may not discuss the account without authorization. | Tell the landlord, gather proof of address and use watershutoff@dep.nyc.gov if exemption documentation applies. | Overdue rules |
| New buyer | Unissued charges can matter if a title meter reading was not completed before closing. | Ask about water/sewer status before closing and verify old charges. | Bill FAQ |
| Property manager | My DEP supports account delegation and property-manager account workflows. | Use My DEP Account and keep account number/activation token ready. | My DEP Account |
| Mortgage/escrow confusion | DEP says most small properties under 5-family buildings are no longer handled by mortgage companies for these charges. | Do not assume escrow paid the water bill; verify directly. | Bill FAQ |
NYC DEP Customer Service Offices, Phone Hours and Map
DEP says customers can receive in-person service at any borough office regardless of borough of residence. Call center hours are Monday 8am–7pm, Tuesday–Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday 9am–12pm, except certain holidays.
| Borough office | Address | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Bronx | 1932 Arthur Avenue, 6th Floor | Billing questions, account service and in-person support. |
| Brooklyn | 345 Adams Street, 9th Floor | Billing questions, account service and in-person support. |
| Manhattan | 55 West 125th Street, 9th Floor | Billing questions, account service and in-person support. |
| Queens | 59-17 Junction Blvd, 9th Floor | Billing questions, account service and in-person support. |
| Staten Island | 60 Bay Street, 6th Floor | Billing questions, account service and in-person support. |
Official NYC Water Bill Links Used in This Guide
New York Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay a New York City water bill online?
Use My DEP Account for full account tools or QuickPay for a one-time payment. You need the 13-digit DEP water/sewer account number from your bill.
What is the NYC DEP water bill phone payment number?
Call 866-622-8292 to pay by automated phone service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is the NYC DEP customer service phone number?
Call 718-595-7000 for NYC DEP water and sewer billing customer service.
Is there a fee to pay a NYC water bill by card?
DEP lists a 2.25% convenience fee for credit or debit card payments. Checking or savings account phone payments are listed as no cost.
What are the 2026–2027 NYC water and sewer rates?
For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, DEP lists the metered water rate as $5.35 per 100 cubic feet and the combined water and sewer charge as $13.50 per 100 cubic feet.
What is HCF on a NYC water bill?
HCF means hundred cubic feet. DEP explains that 1 cubic foot equals 7.48 gallons, so 1 HCF equals 748 gallons.
What should I do if I cannot pay my NYC water bill in full?
Contact DEP Collections at 718-595-7890 or collectionsunit@dep.nyc.gov to ask about a payment agreement before enforcement action becomes more serious.
Can a NYC water bill lead to shutoff or lien sale?
DEP says seriously delinquent accounts may face service termination, legal referral or tax lien sale. Contact DEP immediately if you receive an overdue, shutoff, legal referral or pre-lien notice.
How does NYC leak forgiveness work?
DEP’s Leak Forgiveness Program may reduce eligible high-bill leak charges when the leak meets threshold rules, is repaired within the required time, and a timely written or My DEP high-bill dispute request is submitted.
Where can I visit DEP for water bill help?
DEP lists borough customer service offices in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. Customers can receive in-person service at any borough office regardless of where they live.