City of Chicago Water Bill Guide for Quick Pay, Account Login, Payment Plans and Bill Help
This guide helps Chicago property owners and utility customers pay a water, sewer and utility bill, use Quick Pay, register for online account management, set up AutoPay or SelectPay, apply for Utility Billing Relief, request Leak Relief, handle property-sale paperwork, or report a water/sewer service issue through 311.
Every section below includes the official city action link beside the practical step, so users can move directly from “what do I do?” to the correct Chicago.gov page.
Fast answer: Pay a City of Chicago water/utility bill through the official Utility Billing site. Use Quick Pay if you want to pay without signing in, or create/login to an online account to pay bills, enroll in paperless billing, set up AutoPay or SelectPay, and set up a payment plan.
Important security note: the city warns customers to avoid suspicious email links and navigate directly to the official utility billing website. Look for a Chicago.gov address before entering account or payment details.
Chicago Water Bill Quick Facts
Chicago Water Bill Action Board: Click the Right Official Link
Start with the card that matches the user’s problem. Each action gives the official city path and the practical mistake to avoid.
I need to pay now without logging in
Use Quick Pay. Enter the account number exactly as it appears on the bill, including dashes, plus the service ZIP code.
Open Quick PayI want paperless billing, AutoPay or a payment plan
Use online account management. Register or log in to manage payment options instead of making only a one-time payment.
Login to accountI forgot my account number
Call Utility Billing Customer Service at 312-744-4426 to request help with the account number or bill copy.
Call 312-744-4426I need low-income bill relief
Check Utility Billing Relief. UBR may reduce water, sewer and water-sewer tax by 50% and set aside past debt while current bills are paid.
Open UBRMy high bill came from an outdoor or underground leak
Check the Leak Relief Program before only paying the balance. LRP may reduce impacted bills to average usual usage if eligible.
Open Leak ReliefI have a water main, sewer or water-quality issue
Use CHI 311 for field service issues. Utility Billing is for bills; 311 is for water/sewer service requests.
Open CHI 311How to Pay a Chicago Water Bill With Quick Pay
Open the official Quick Pay page
Go directly to the city’s Quick Pay screen. Avoid email links unless you are certain they are legitimate.
Go to Quick PayEnter account number exactly
The Quick Pay page says to enter information exactly as it appears on the bill, including dashes.
Locate accountEnter service ZIP code
Use the service ZIP code for the water account, not necessarily your mailing ZIP if the bill is sent elsewhere.
Continue paymentSave the confirmation
Keep the confirmation number, payment date, account number, amount and screenshot, especially if the bill is past due.
Return to billing homeChicago Online Account Management: When Login Is Better Than Quick Pay
Pay and view bills
Online account management is the better path when you want to view statements, manage your profile or keep a record beyond one payment.
LoginPaperless billing
Enroll in paperless billing after signing in so future notices are easier to track.
Enroll new userAutoPay, SelectPay, payment plan
The city lists AutoPay, SelectPay and payment plan setup under online account management.
Manage account| Portal task | What you need | Common mistake | Official path |
|---|---|---|---|
| New user enrollment | Account number and service ZIP code. | Entering account number without dashes when the bill shows dashes. | Enroll |
| Forgot username/password | Email/user profile access or enough account details for support. | Creating duplicate account attempts instead of using recovery. | Login screen |
| Captcha issue | Current browser or password reset path. | Repeated failed login attempts can trigger extra security steps. | FAQ |
| Account number missing | Service address and account-holder details. | Guessing the account number from an old closing packet. | Call 312-744-4426 |
AutoPay, SelectPay and Payment Plans: Which One Should You Use?
SelectPay
Useful when you want more control over payment timing instead of a simple one-time Quick Pay transaction.
Use SelectPayPayment plan
Use a payment plan when you cannot clear the balance at once. Check UBR first if the household may qualify for relief.
Set payment planPayment-plan call script
Utility Billing Relief: 50% Reduction and Debt Forgiveness Path
Understand what UBR can do
UBR may provide no penalties or debt collection on past-due city utility bill debt, 50% rate reduction and debt forgiveness after successful completion.
Open UBR pageConfirm property eligibility
The applicant must own and reside in the property, and the property must be a single-family home, 2-unit or 3-unit property.
Check property eligibilityPrepare account number and documents
You need your City of Chicago utility account number, identity proof and income proof for household members.
Read UBR FAQPay reduced current bills for 12 months
During the first year, old balance is set aside. After successful completion, the previous unpaid balance may be forgiven.
Completion rulesUBR Documents, Income and Application Timing
| Requirement | What the city asks for | Practical tip | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account number | Utility billing account number found on the bill. | If you do not know it, call 312-744-4426 before starting. | Call billing |
| One-session application | The application must be completed in one session and cannot be saved for later. | Gather documents before starting. | Application toolkit |
| Session timeout | For security, the UBR application session expires after 30 minutes of inactivity. | Do not start if you still need to find pay stubs or IDs. | UBR FAQ |
| Income proof | Gross income for household members, generally within the last 30 days. | Save pay stubs, benefit letters or self-employment worksheet before uploading. | Income documents |
| Processing time | Processing can take up to 30 days after a complete UBR application is received. | Keep paying current charges or call if the bill is urgent. | Processing FAQ |
| CEDA help | Customers who prefer trained intake help may contact CEDA. | Call 800-571-CEDA (2332) for application support. | Call CEDA |
Leak Relief Program: High Bill From Outdoor or Underground Leaks
What LRP targets
The city describes the Leak Relief Program as help for bills from eligible outdoor, underground leaks.
Open Leak ReliefHow it helps
The utility billing page says LRP can reduce impacted bills to an average of usual usage, with benefits applied to the utility account.
Billing homeWhat to gather
Keep repair invoices, plumber notes, photos, dates, meter readings and the bill showing the unusual usage.
Apply / learn moreHigh Chicago Water Bill Checklist Before You Pay
Inside the property
- Running toilet or bad flapper.
- Faucet, shower or tub leak.
- Water heater leak.
- Basement, crawlspace or utility-room moisture.
Outside or underground
- Service-line leak between house and curb.
- Wet parkway, yard or sidewalk.
- Irrigation or hose left running.
- Eligible outdoor/underground leak for LRP review.
Bill structure
- Water charges.
- Sewer charges.
- Water-sewer tax.
- Garbage or other utility fees.
High-bill call script
Full Payment Certificate: When Selling or Transferring Property
Why it matters
A Full Payment Certificate is commonly needed in Chicago property transfers to show utility charges tied to the premises are addressed.
Apply for FPCProcessing expectation
The city’s FPC contact page says pending FPC applications are committed for processing within 10 business days.
FPC supportBilling questions
For billing or account balance questions tied to FPC, contact Utility Billing Customer Service at 312-744-4426.
Call Utility BillingOwners, Renters, Multi-Unit Buildings and Account Access
| Situation | What to understand | Practical next step | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner-occupied 1–3 unit property | This is the main UBR eligibility category if income rules are met. | Check UBR property eligibility before setting a normal payment plan. | UBR eligibility |
| Tenant paying landlord reimbursement | The city account may remain under the property owner’s name. | Use lease terms and landlord invoice records; do not try to alter city account access without authorization. | Ask billing |
| Two-flat or three-flat owner | UBR is now available to eligible homeowners of 3-flats, according to the city UBR page. | Confirm property and income eligibility online. | UBR program |
| Property sale or name change | Utility billing records may need to be updated through the property transfer/FPC process. | Use FPC application and call billing if the account balance is unclear. | FPC application |
Water Rates, Sewer Charges, Water-Sewer Tax and Garbage Fees
A “Chicago water bill” is often more than water usage. Review each line before deciding the bill is wrong.
| Bill area | What it means | What to check | Official path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water charges | Water consumption or nonmetered water billing, depending on account type. | Metered vs nonmetered status, usage change and leak signs. | Billing information |
| Sewer charges | Sewer charges appear alongside water utility billing. | A water leak can affect the overall utility amount, not just one line. | UBR rate note |
| Water-sewer tax | UBR specifically mentions water-sewer tax as part of the 50% reduction. | Do not compare bills using only water charges. | UBR FAQ |
| Garbage fee | UBR FAQ says garbage fees are not included in the 50% UBR reduction. | If UBR is active, still expect garbage fees to remain separate. | UBR savings |
| Past-due balance | Old balances may be set aside under UBR or managed through payment plan tools. | Ask whether payment applies to current charges, past balance or plan amount. | Payment plan |
Water Main Break, Sewer Backup, Water Quality or Service Issue: Use 311
Use CHI 311 for field issues
Billing customer service handles account and balance issues. Use CHI 311 for water/sewer service requests such as leaks, water in street, sewer backup or water quality issues.
Open CHI 311What to report
Give address, cross street, visible water flow, basement/sewer details, photos if safe and whether traffic, sidewalk or property is affected.
Create 311 requestWhen it is billing
If the question is balance, UBR, payment plan, FPC, account number or login help, call 312-744-4426 instead.
Call billingChicago City Hall Map and Visit Note
For most utility bill tasks, the official online portal or 312-744-4426 is faster than walking in. If you need city-office help, confirm the correct payment center or department route before visiting.
Bring
Utility bill, account number, service ZIP, ID if required, payment confirmation, past-due notice, FPC number or UBR documents.
Ask
“Is this a billing issue, payment-plan issue, UBR issue, FPC issue or a 311 service request?”
Better first step
Use Quick Pay, online account management, UBR, LRP or 311 first unless a city representative tells you to visit.
Official City of Chicago Water Bill Links
City of Chicago Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay my City of Chicago water bill online?
Use the official City of Chicago Utility Billing site. Choose Quick Pay to pay without signing in, or log into online account management for paperless billing, AutoPay, SelectPay and payment-plan tools.
What do I need for Chicago Quick Pay?
You need the account number exactly as it appears on the bill, including dashes, and the service ZIP code.
What is the Chicago utility billing phone number?
Call Utility Billing Customer Service at 312-744-4426 for account number help, billing questions, UBR questions, payment-plan questions and account-balance help.
Can I set up AutoPay for a Chicago water bill?
Yes. The city lists AutoPay and SelectPay under online account management. Log in or enroll as a new user to manage those settings.
What is Utility Billing Relief in Chicago?
Utility Billing Relief is a City of Chicago program for qualifying residents. It can provide 50% reduction on water, sewer and water-sewer tax, no penalties or debt collection on past-due city utility bill debt, and debt forgiveness after successful completion.
Who qualifies for UBR?
Basic UBR requirements include owning and residing in a single-family, 2-unit or 3-unit property, providing identity information, and meeting income requirements with supporting documents.
How long does UBR last?
UBR enrollment is active for 12 months. Customers must pay current charges at the reduced rate during the program period and reapply to remain enrolled after the enrollment period.
Does UBR reduce garbage fees?
No. The UBR FAQ says the 50% reduction applies to water, sewer and water-sewer tax, but garbage fees are not included.
What should I do if my Chicago water bill is high because of a leak?
Check for indoor leaks first, then review the Leak Relief Program if the high bill came from an eligible outdoor or underground leak. Keep repair proof, photos, dates and bill records.
Who handles Chicago water main breaks or sewer backups?
Use CHI 311 for water/sewer service requests such as water in the street, sewer backup, water-quality problems or other field issues. Use Utility Billing Customer Service for account and payment questions.