McAllen Public Utility Bill Help for Online Pay, Reconnects, Rates and High Water Usage
This guide is for McAllen Public Utility customers who need to pay a water, wastewater, sprinkler, reuse, sanitation or drainage-fee bill, use MyBills, make a QuickPay payment, start or disconnect service, restore service after nonpayment, or ask why a bill suddenly jumped.
Use the action cards first. McAllen has several payment paths, but QuickPay has limits and cannot be used for every urgent situation.
Fast answer: McAllen Public Utility customers can pay online through MyBills, use QuickPay without registering, call 956-681-1600 option 1 for automated payment, pay in person at McAllen City Hall, use the drive-thru, or pay at listed pay stations such as H-E-B locations and Ruben’s Grocery.
Urgent warning: QuickPay says payments made after service is already disconnected or scheduled for disconnect will not reconnect service. In that situation, contact Customer Service at 956-681-1600 to pay with a cashier and avoid interruption or restore service.
McAllen Water Bill Quick Facts
McAllen Water Bill Action Board: Use the Correct Payment Route
Do not use the same path for every situation. A normal payment, a disconnected-service payment, AutoPay setup and new-service deposit each have different rules.
I need full account access
Use MyBills to view current and previous bills, pay balances, enroll in monthly automatic bank draft, view consumption history and register for eBill.
Open MyBillsI only need one quick payment
Use QuickPay with your full customer number and account number. QuickPay posts to the account on the same business day.
Open QuickPayI am disconnected or scheduled for disconnect
Call Customer Relations and pay with a cashier. QuickPay warns that online payments will not reconnect service in that situation.
Call 956-681-1600I need new water service
Apply at City Hall or submit the electronic application with ID by email. Same-day processing has a 1 p.m. cutoff.
New service stepsMy bill is too high
Check leaks first. If no leak is found, call Customer Service for a recheck read or meter-review path.
High-bill FAQI have an after-hours utility emergency
For after-hours/weekend water emergency, call 956-681-1717. For after-hours wastewater emergency, call 956-648-4010.
Call water emergencyMyBills vs QuickPay: Which One Should You Use?
| Feature | MyBills | QuickPay | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | Requires login or registration. | No registration required. | Use MyBills for ongoing account control; use QuickPay for a single payment. |
| Bill history | View current and previous utility bills. | Payment-focused only. | Use MyBills when comparing past bills or researching a high bill. |
| Consumption history | Available after registration. | Not the best tool for usage review. | Use MyBills for leak and irrigation checks. |
| Automatic payment | Enroll in monthly automatic bank draft. | Not for AutoPay enrollment. | Use MyBills for recurring payment setup. |
| Partial payment | Call Customer Relations for account-specific questions. | QuickPay does not allow paying only a past-due amount; the entire account balance must be paid. | Call if you cannot pay the full balance. |
| Disconnected account | Call Customer Relations for cashier payment. | QuickPay says disconnected/scheduled-disconnect online payment will not reconnect service. | Call 956-681-1600 immediately. |
How to Use McAllen QuickPay Safely
Open the official page
Use the McAllen Public Utility MyBills/QuickPay domain, not a search ad or unofficial bill-pay page.
Open QuickPayEnter all leading zeros
QuickPay says to enter all leading zeros for both the customer number and account number.
QuickPay pageCheck the payment limit
One-time eCheck payments cannot exceed $7,500. One-time credit/debit card payments cannot exceed $500.
Call if over limitSave proof
Keep the confirmation number, payment method, date, customer number and account number until the balance updates.
Check MyBillsPhone, Office, Drive-Thru and Pay Station Options
| Payment/contact path | Official detail | Best use | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automated payment | Call 956-681-1600 and choose option 1. Available 24/7 for payments only. | Quick payment when you have bill details. | For account questions, choose Customer Service instead. |
| Live payment / cashier | Call 956-681-1600 and choose option 2 for payment with a live agent. | Disconnected/scheduled-disconnect situations. | Use this path if QuickPay warns service will not be restored online. |
| Customer Service | Call 956-681-1600 and choose option 3. | Account number, MyBills help, billing questions, start/stop service. | Have customer number, account number and service address ready. |
| Main lobby | McAllen City Hall, 1300 Houston Avenue, McAllen, TX 78501. Customer service and cashiers Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | New service, deposits, cashier payment, account help. | For new service, after 1 p.m. may be processed next business day. |
| Drive-thru | Drive-thru payment hours listed Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. | Payment only. | Bring bill/account details and payment method. |
| customerservice@mcallen.net | Non-urgent account/application support. | Email requests may take 1–2 business days for response. |
Official Pay Station Locations
| Pay station | Address | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEB #212 | 3200 N. 10th St. | McAllen | 956-631-7138 |
| HEB #702 | 200 US Expressway 83 | McAllen | 956-630-2913 |
| HEB #334 | 3601 Pecan | McAllen | 956-971-9881 |
| HEB #590 | 901 Trenton Rd. | McAllen | 956-681-0073 |
| HEB #431 | 2700 W. Freddy Gonzalez | Edinburg | 956-383-4083 |
| Ruben’s Grocery | 620 N. 20th St. | McAllen | 956-686-5752 |
Past Due, Disconnect and Reconnect Rules
Late fee timing
McAllen’s billing ordinance says bills not paid on or before the 20th day from the billing date are assessed a late fee equal to 5% of the past-due balance.
Disconnect risk
When a bill becomes delinquent and remains delinquent, the utility may issue a disconnect notice before water service is disconnected.
Reconnect timing
After total or past-due payment and/or required deposit is paid, a reconnect order is processed. MPU says servicemen work 8 a.m.–7 p.m., but no exact reconnect time is provided.
Before using QuickPay
Check whether the account is already disconnected or scheduled for disconnect. If yes, call Customer Relations first.
Call Customer RelationsPay with a cashier if urgent
QuickPay says online payments will not reconnect service if disconnection has already happened or is already scheduled.
Call option 2Turn faucets off
Before reconnection, shut off all faucets and water-related appliances. If the meter shows consumption, crews may leave water off.
Reconnect FAQCall if water was left off
If service was left off due to “water running inside,” call Customer Service when you are at the location or have shut off the remaining faucets.
Call 956-681-1600Reconnect call script
Start, Stop or Transfer McAllen Water Service
| Service task | Official detail | What to prepare | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential new service | Apply in person at McAllen City Hall lobby Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., or submit the electronic application by email with scanned ID. | Driver’s license/state ID, lease or closing documents if requested, completed application and deposit. | New service page |
| Commercial new service | Owner, president, manager or authorized representative may need to apply in person. Business-structure documents may be required. | Authorized person’s ID, application, deposit, entity documents and supporting paperwork. | Commercial application |
| Connection fee | $25 connection fee per meter. | Pay with required deposit before service setup. | Confirm amount |
| Deposit | Deposit starts at $100–$1,000 and varies by location; FAQ lists residential $100, commercial $250, restaurant/hotel $1,000. | Ask Customer Relations for the exact deposit on your address/account type. | Call option 3 |
| Same-day request | Customers can request connect/disconnect no more than 10 calendar days in advance; same-day deadline is 1 p.m. | Submit early. Requests after 1 p.m. may be processed next business day. | Service timing FAQ |
Current McAllen Residential Water, Sprinkler, Sewer and Reuse Rates
McAllen Public Utility lists these residential rates as effective October 1, 2025. Use the official rates page before estimating a bill because rates can change by ordinance.
| Rate item | Official amount | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Residential water base fee | $18.00 | Base monthly water charge before consumption. |
| Water 0–4,999 gallons | $2.25 per 1,000 gallons | Lowest residential water tier. |
| Water 5,000–9,999 gallons | $2.55 per 1,000 gallons | Middle usage tier. |
| Water 10,000–14,999 gallons | $2.75 per 1,000 gallons | Higher usage tier. |
| Water 15,000+ gallons | $2.95 per 1,000 gallons | Highest listed residential water tier. |
| Sprinkler base fee | $18.00 | Base charge for sprinkler service. |
| Sprinkler usage | $2.75 per 1,000 gallons | All consumption. |
| Residential sewer base fee | $17.00 | Base sewer charge. |
| Sewer 0–19,999 gallons | $1.85 per 1,000 gallons | Residential sewer commodity tier. |
| Sewer 20,000+ gallons | $2.40 per 1,000 gallons | Higher sewer commodity tier. |
| Reuse base fee | $18.00 | Base reclaimed/reuse charge. |
| Reuse usage | $1.80 per 1,000 gallons | All consumption. |
How to Read a McAllen Public Utility Bill
Top account fields
Look for statement date, customer number, 7-digit account number, service period, due date and total amount due.
Water and sewer usage
Water usage appears in thousand gallons. Sewer commodity is based on water usage and current ordinance rates.
Other charges
The bill may include sanitation, recycle fee, brush fee, commercial dumpster/roll-off charges, and drainage utility fee.
High McAllen Water Bill: Leak Check, Recheck Read and Meter Test
McAllen’s FAQ says to check for leaks first. If no leak is located, call Customer Service for a recheck read. If a leak is found and repaired, call 956-681-1600.
Leaks that get expensive fast
- Leaking toilet at 1/2 GPM can lose about 21,600 gallons/month.
- Drip irrigation at 1 GPM can lose about 43,200 gallons/month.
- Stuck ice maker at 2 GPM can lose about 86,400 gallons/month.
- Broken service line at 15 GPM can lose about 648,000 gallons/month.
Meter and read checks
- Newer home meters are often near the curb in line with the main shut-off valve.
- Older home meters may be in the alley or rear easement.
- Mechanical meters 1 inch or less require 5 digits; larger meters require 6 digits.
- Digital/LED smart meters require 8 digits.
What to ask MPU
- Ask for a recheck read if no leak is found.
- Ask about one free meter test per year.
- Additional meter tests within one year may cost $25 each.
- Ask if a technician can help locate shut-off valves.
High-bill call script
Water, Wastewater and Utility Emergency Contacts
| Issue | Official contact | Use it for | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billing, MyBills, QuickPay, account number, start/stop service | Customer Relations: 956-681-1600 | Payment help, service applications, account support. | Call Customer Relations |
| Automated payments | 956-681-1600, option 1 | 24/7 payments only. | Call option 1 |
| Wastewater problems during business hours | 956-681-1750 | Wastewater problems from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Call wastewater |
| After-hours/weekend water emergency | 956-681-1717 | Water emergencies after hours or on weekends. | Call water emergency |
| After-hours/weekend wastewater emergency | 956-648-4010 | Wastewater emergencies after hours or on weekends. | Call wastewater emergency |
| Utility locates | 811 / Texas811.org | Utility line location before digging. | Texas811 |
McAllen Public Utility Customer Relations Map and Visit Plan
Use the City Hall lobby for new service, deposits, cashier payments, disconnected-service payment help, MyBills/account questions, forms and service changes.
Bring
Utility bill, customer number, account number, photo ID, lease/closing documents if starting service, payment confirmation, deposit amount and any leak-repair proof.
Ask before leaving
“Is my payment posted, is my reconnect order processed, and are any deposit, connection fee, convenience fee or application documents still required?”
Best timing
For same-day service changes, arrive or call before the 1 p.m. cutoff. For regular payments, the drive-thru has longer listed weekday hours.
Official McAllen Water Bill Links
McAllen Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay my McAllen water bill online?
Use McAllen Public Utility’s MyBills portal for full account access, or use QuickPay for a one-time payment without registration. QuickPay requires the full customer number and account number.
What is McAllen MyBills?
MyBills is McAllen Public Utility’s online billing portal where customers can view current and previous bills, pay balances, enroll in monthly automatic bank draft, view consumption history and register for eBill.
Can I pay a McAllen utility bill without registering?
Yes. QuickPay allows one-account payment without registering for MyBills, but you must enter the entire customer number and account number, including leading zeros.
Does McAllen QuickPay allow partial payments?
No. QuickPay says it does not allow paying partial amounts such as only the past-due balance. The entire account balance must be paid.
What are the McAllen QuickPay payment limits?
QuickPay lists a one-time eCheck limit of $7,500 and a one-time credit/debit card limit of $500.
What is the McAllen Public Utility phone number?
Call Customer Relations at 956-681-1600. Choose option 1 for automated payment, option 2 for payment with a live agent, option 3 for Customer Service, or option 9 for other city services.
Where is McAllen Public Utility Customer Relations located?
Customer Relations is at McAllen City Hall, 1300 Houston Avenue, McAllen, TX 78501. The lobby and customer-service hours are listed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How do I reconnect water after nonpayment?
Pay the total or past-due amount and any required deposit, then contact Customer Relations. QuickPay warns that online payments made after service is disconnected or already scheduled for disconnect will not reconnect service.
What should I do if my McAllen water bill is high?
Check for leaks first. If no leak is found, call Customer Service for a recheck read. If a leak is found and repaired, call 956-681-1600. Customers may receive one meter test per year at no charge; additional tests within a year may cost $25 each.
What are McAllen residential water rates?
Effective October 1, 2025, McAllen lists a residential water base fee of $18.00, then $2.25 per 1,000 gallons for 0–4,999 gallons, $2.55 for 5,000–9,999, $2.75 for 10,000–14,999, and $2.95 for 15,000+ gallons.