Chicago Utility Bill Help for Water Payments, Past-Due Balances and Relief Programs
This guide helps Chicago water and sewer customers choose the correct official path: Quick Pay, full online account management, AutoPay, SelectPay, payment plan, Utility Billing Relief, leak relief, EZ Pay kiosk or 311 water-service reporting.
Every task below includes the official city link, phone number, account requirement or next-step script, so a customer can act quickly instead of guessing which Chicago department handles billing, payment, relief or a field water problem.
Fast answer: Use the official City of Chicago utility portal at utilitybill.chicago.gov to pay a water and sewer bill, use Quick Pay without signing in, enroll in paperless billing, set up AutoPay or SelectPay, and set up a payment plan. For billing questions, payment help or account access problems, call 312-744-4426.
Urgent bill-help note: if the balance is too large, check payment-plan options and Utility Billing Relief before ignoring the account. UBR can provide a 50% reduction on water, sewer and water-sewer tax going forward for eligible homeowners, and previous unpaid balances may be forgiven after successful completion of the first 12 months.
Chicago Water Bill Quick Facts
Chicago Water Bill Action Board: Use the Correct Official Route
Chicago billing can involve current charges, prior balances, sewer charges, water-sewer tax, payment plans, relief programs and field water issues. Use the right route first.
I only need to pay
Use Quick Pay if you have the water account number and service ZIP code from the bill. Enter the account number exactly as printed, including dashes.
Open Quick PayI need account controls
Create or log in to an online account for paperless billing, AutoPay, SelectPay, payment plans and ongoing account management.
Open loginI need a payment plan
The portal lists payment-plan setup inside online account management. Call 312-744-4426 if you need help choosing the correct plan path.
Plan optionsI need bill relief
Check UBR if you are an owner-occupant of a single-family, 2-unit or 3-unit property and meet income rules.
Check UBR eligibilityI have an underground leak bill
Use the Leak Relief Program path for eligible outdoor or underground leaks. The program reduces impacted bills to an average of usual usage.
Leak reliefI have no water, sewer backup or street leak
Use 311 for field-service issues. Billing support cannot fix a water main, open hydrant, sewer backup or no-water service request.
Open 311Chicago Quick Pay: Pay a Water Bill Without Signing In
Open Quick Pay from the city portal
Use the official Chicago utility billing domain. The city warns residents to check for chicago.gov in the web address and avoid spoofed email links.
Open Quick PayEnter account number and ZIP
Quick Pay asks for the utility account number and service ZIP code. Enter the account number exactly as it appears on your bill, including dashes.
Locate accountConfirm service address
Before paying, verify the service address and balance, especially if you own or manage more than one property.
Portal homeSave proof
Keep the confirmation number, date, amount, payment method, account number and screenshot until the portal balance updates.
Call 312-744-4426Create a Chicago Utility Account for Paperless, AutoPay, SelectPay and Plans
New user enrollment
To enroll, the portal asks you to locate the account using information from your statement.
Create accountAccount number format
The enrollment page says to enter information exactly as it appears on the bill, including dashes. Example format shown: 123456-123456.
Enrollment pageWhat account management does
The portal lists bill payment, paperless billing, AutoPay or SelectPay, and payment-plan setup.
Login pagePayment Plan, AutoPay or SelectPay: Which One Fits Your Situation?
| Option | Use it when | What to confirm | Official path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment plan | The balance is too large to pay at once or already past due. | Down payment, monthly amount, due date, missed-payment rule and whether current bills must also be paid. | Utility portal |
| AutoPay | You want routine bills paid automatically from a saved method. | Whether AutoPay covers current balance, future bills only, or interacts with an existing plan. | Account login |
| SelectPay | You want manual control over when and how much to pay. | Whether you still need to satisfy a payment-plan amount by a specific date. | Manage account |
| Phone help | You cannot access the portal or the account is complicated. | Current balance, plan eligibility, account number, payment proof and service address. | Call 312-744-4426 |
Payment-plan call script
Past-Due Chicago Water Bill: What to Do Before Paying
Check current account status
Use the portal or call 312-744-4426. Do not rely only on an older bill because the account may include prior balance, tax, penalties or plan status.
Check portalAsk what minimum payment matters
A partial payment can lower the balance but may not satisfy a plan or relief-program requirement. Ask for the exact required amount.
Call billingCheck UBR before giving up
If the account belongs to an owner-occupied eligible property, Utility Billing Relief may reduce ongoing water, sewer and water-sewer tax charges.
Open UBRSave proof and staff instructions
Keep receipts, screenshots, confirmation numbers, dates, staff names, and any plan or UBR enrollment instructions.
Quick PayChicago Utility Billing Relief: 50% Rate Reduction and Debt Forgiveness Path
Who it targets
UBR is intended to make water and sewer bills more affordable for qualifying Chicago residents. Applicants must be owner-occupants of a single-family, 2-unit or 3-unit property.
Check property eligibilityWhat it reduces
UBR offers 50% on water, sewer and water-sewer tax going forward. Garbage fees are not included in the reduction.
Read UBR FAQDebt forgiveness
During the first 12 months, previous balance is set aside. After successful completion, previous unpaid balance is forgiven.
Open UBR pageUBR Application Checklist: Documents to Prepare Before Starting
The UBR FAQ says the application must be completed in one session, expires after 30 minutes of inactivity, and requires supporting documentation saved to the device you use to apply.
| Need | Official detail | Practical preparation | Official path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility account number | Needed for property verification. If you do not know it, call 312-744-4426. | Have your bill ready before starting. | UBR FAQ |
| Owner information | Owner must reside at the service address and be listed on the utility bill. | Fix name or ownership discrepancies early. | Eligibility check |
| Household members | Income and ID details are needed for household members living at the address. | List everyone in the household before uploading documents. | Document rules |
| Proof of income | Gross income from the last 30 days is used for all household members 18+. | Save pay stubs, award letters, unemployment proof, self-employment worksheet or benefit documents. | Income documentation |
| CEDA help | The FAQ says customers who need assistance can call CEDA at (800)571-CEDA (2332). | Use CEDA if you need help applying for LIHEAP and UBR together. | Call CEDA |
Chicago Leak Relief Program: When a High Bill Comes From an Underground Leak
What it helps
The City portal describes the Leak Relief Program as help for bills from eligible outdoor, underground leaks.
Open LRPHow relief is applied
The portal says impacted bills can be reduced to an average of usual usage, with benefits applied to the utility account.
Portal descriptionWhat to save
Keep plumber invoices, repair photos, service-line notes, leak dates, meter readings and bills before and after repair.
Apply / learn moreHigh Chicago Water Bill: Check These Before Calling
Inside the property
- Running toilet or flapper leak.
- Basement pipe or water heater leak.
- Vacant unit water use.
- AutoPay missed or plan default confusion.
Outside / underground
- Service line leak.
- Underground leak after freezing or excavation.
- Water visible near parkway or meter area.
- Outdoor irrigation or hose left on.
Bill line checks
- Water charges.
- Sewer charges.
- Water-sewer tax.
- Previous balance or payment-plan amount.
High-bill call script
EZ Pay Kiosks: In-Person Route for City Bills
Chicago’s open-data portal lists EZ Pay kiosk locations. The dataset says utility bills can be paid at all EZ Pay kiosks, along with parking/red light/speed tickets, administrative hearing judgments, business taxes and other City bills.
Bring account info
Bring the utility account number, service address, payment method and current bill or notice.
Kiosk datasetUse portal for full management
Kiosks are helpful for payment access. Use online account management for AutoPay, SelectPay, paperless billing and payment-plan controls.
Manage onlineWater Leak, No Water, Sewer Backup or Open Hydrant: Use 311
| Problem | Do this | Details to prepare | Official route |
|---|---|---|---|
| No water | Submit/call 311, especially if neighbors are also affected. | Address, unit, whether neighbors have water, start time. | CHI 311 |
| Water on street / parkway | Use 311 for field-service routing. | Nearest address, cross street, side of street, water flow, traffic risk. | Report to 311 |
| Sewer backup / water in basement | Use 311 and describe whether sewage is present. | Water depth, floor level, odor, rain timing, photos from safe distance. | Start request |
| Billing issue | Use Utility Billing, not 311 field-service route. | Account number, service address, bill date, payment proof. | Call 312-744-4426 |
Chicago Utility Billing Map and Visit Planning
Most billing tasks can be completed online or by phone. Use the map for downtown office planning only, and verify the correct department, floor, appointment requirements and hours before visiting.
Bring
Photo ID, water bill, account number, service address, past-due notice, payment proof and any UBR/leak documents.
Ask before leaving
“Is my balance current, is my plan active, and is there anything else needed to avoid collection or account problems?”
Use kiosk map for payment access
If you only need an in-person payment route, use the official EZ Pay kiosk map instead of going downtown.
Official Chicago Water Bill Links
Chicago City Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay my Chicago water bill online?
Use the official City of Chicago utility billing portal at utilitybill.chicago.gov. You can use Quick Pay without signing in or log in for full online account management.
Can I pay a Chicago water bill without logging in?
Yes. The Quick Pay page lets users pay without signing in by locating the account with the utility account number and service ZIP code.
What is the Chicago water bill phone number?
Call 312-744-4426 for Utility Billing customer service, phone payment help, account questions, UBR questions and password/login assistance.
What can I do in Chicago online account management?
The portal lists bill payment, paperless billing, AutoPay or SelectPay, and payment-plan setup as online account management features.
How do I create a Chicago utility billing account?
Use New User Enrollment. The portal asks you to locate the account using information from your statement and says to enter the account number exactly as it appears on the bill, including dashes.
What is Chicago Utility Billing Relief?
UBR is a City of Chicago program intended to make water and sewer bills more affordable for qualifying residents. It can provide 50% off water, sewer and water-sewer tax going forward, with debt forgiveness after successful completion of the first 12 months.
Who may qualify for UBR?
Applicants must be the owner and resident of a single-family, 2-unit or 3-unit property, provide required identification, meet income requirements and supply documentation.
What documents are needed for UBR?
UBR requires the same documentation as a LIHEAP application, the City utility account number, proof of identity and proof of income for household members. Income documentation covers the last 30 days.
What is Chicago Leak Relief?
The Leak Relief Program helps with bills from eligible outdoor, underground leaks. The portal says it can reduce impacted bills to an average of usual usage and apply benefits to the utility account.
Can I use a Chicago EZ Pay kiosk for a water bill?
Yes. Chicago’s EZ Pay Kiosks dataset says utility bills can be paid at all EZ Pay kiosks, along with several other City bill types.