Howard County Water & Sewer Bill Help for Online Pay, Direct Debit and Shutoff Risk
This guide is for Howard County, Maryland water and sewer customers who need to pay online, use Quick Pay, register in Utilli, set Direct Debit, understand convenience fees, avoid late fees, fix an estimated bill, or ask for help before service is discontinued.
Every section gives the official action link, phone number, address, fee detail, or call script beside the step, so you can finish the billing task without reading long generic utility content.
Fast answer: Howard County water and sewer customers can pay through the official Howard County Utilli portal, pay by phone at 1-800-263-1923, use Direct Debit, mail a check or money order using the address on the bill, or pay in person at the Finance Cashier’s Office at 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043.
Urgent warning: bills allow a 30-day payment period. A 10% late fee is assessed to the unpaid balance if payment is not received by the net due date. Failure to pay past-due charges can lead to discontinuance of service, turn-off/turn-on charges, and unpaid charges being placed in annual tax sale with an administrative fee.
Howard County Water Bill Quick Facts
Howard County Water Bill Action Board
Pick the card that matches your problem. Each action includes the official link or number you need.
I need to pay online
Use the Howard County Utilli portal to review your account, consumption, payment history, meter history, and pay your bill.
Open UtilliI want automatic payment
Use Direct Debit in Utilli or submit the application with a voided check. The water/sewer account must have a zero or credit balance to register.
Direct Debit detailsMy bill is already late
Call 410-313-2058 before relying on mail or slow posting. Ask how to protect the account from discontinuance.
Late fee rulesI received an estimated bill
Estimated usage is normally the result of a stopped meter. Call 410-313-2058 to schedule a meter repair appointment.
Meter FAQI had an underground leak
Repair the leak first, then send an adjustment letter with plumbing bill, name and daytime phone number.
Leak adjustment ruleI need help paying
Check Bay Fee Hardship Exemption and H2O Help to Others options for eligible customers facing hardship or disconnection.
Assistance infoHow to Pay a Howard County Water & Sewer Bill Online
Open the official Utilli portal
Use the Howard County Utilli portal, not a search ad. It is available 24/7 for account review, payment history, consumption history and customer-service inquiries.
Open official portalRegister or use Quick Pay
First-time users can register. Quick Pay is useful when you want to pay without full account registration.
Register / Quick PayReview fee screen before paying
Card and e-check payments carry third-party Govolution convenience fees. Confirm the final cost before submitting.
Fee detailsSave confirmation
Keep the payment receipt, date, amount, account number and screenshot. This matters if a past-due notice or service action is already pending.
Pay and save proofPayment Methods, Convenience Fees and Posting Warnings
| Payment method | Official detail | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utilli online portal | Pay online with credit/debit cards and review water/sewer account history. | Fast account access and payment proof. | Card fee: 2.45%, $2 minimum. |
| E-check through Govolution | Payments by e-check are charged a $1.50 convenience fee. | Customers who prefer bank payment but do not use Direct Debit. | Verify bank details before submitting. |
| Direct Debit | Automatic electronic transfer from checking account when bill is due; no convenience fee. | Customers who want to avoid missed quarterly due dates. | Account must have zero or credit balance to register. |
| Telephone | Pay by phone at 1-800-263-1923. | Users who prefer phone payment. | Save confirmation and check posting if urgent. |
| Mail check or money order to the address printed on the bottom of your bill. | Non-urgent payment. | Payment must be received by Finance by the due date. | |
| In person / drop box | Cashier’s Office and drop box at 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City. | Customers needing in-person proof or local drop-off. | Drop box payments after 8:30am are not collected until next business day. |
Direct Debit Automatic Payment: Best No-Fee Option
Direct Debit is the cleanest recurring-payment option because Howard County says there is no convenience fee for enrollment in the Direct Debit Automatic Payment Program.
Confirm zero or credit balance
The county says the water/sewer account must have a zero balance or credit balance to register for Direct Debit.
Check Direct Debit ruleEnroll inside Utilli
After creating a Utilli account, click Payment Options / Direct Debit, then Add Bank Account.
Open UtilliOr use the paper form
Complete the personal or business checking-account application, include a voided check, and mail it to Director of Finance, Direct Debit, PO Box 3367, Ellicott City, MD 21041-3367.
Find formKeep the authorization
The county says to keep one copy of the authorization for your records. Check the next bill to verify Direct Debit is active.
Manage payment optionsLate Fees, Past-Due Notice and Discontinuance of Service
30-day payment period
Water bills are mailed allowing a 30-day payment period. Payment must be received by the Department of Finance by the net due date.
Read late-fee rule10% late fee
If payment is not received by the net due date, a 10% late fee is assessed to the unpaid balance.
Late fee detailsShutoff and tax sale risk
Failure to pay past-due charges can result in discontinuance of service, turn-off/turn-on charges, and unpaid charges being placed in annual tax sale with an administrative fee.
Discontinuance warningCall script if the bill is late
Owner, Renter, Buyer/Seller and Final Bill Rules
This is where many Howard County water bill problems start: the bill is tied to the property, not just the person living there.
| Situation | Official rule | What to do | Official path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property owner | All property owners are responsible for payment of water and sewer bills. | Do not ignore tenant unpaid balances. | Billing page |
| Buyer / seller | The county does not pro-rate water/sewer charges between buyers and sellers. | Handle pro-ration at settlement. | Final bill FAQ |
| Landlord / tenant | The county does not pro-rate between landlords and tenants. | Tenants should contact the landlord or management company. | Tenant billing FAQ |
| Moving address | Water bills are not forwarded by postal forwarding alone. | Submit forwarding address to the Department of Finance. | Finance contact |
| Owner / Occupant bill | Bills may be addressed Owner / Occupant when the county does not know who lives there. | Notify billing with correct mailing details. | Email billing |
High or Estimated Howard County Water Bill: What to Check
Meter reading review
Howard County says most meters are read electronically by radio interface, and readings are compared to previous readings and the same period in the prior year.
Meter accuracy FAQEstimated bill
Estimated usage is normally the result of a stopped meter. Call 410-313-2058 to schedule an appointment to have the meter repaired.
Estimated bill helpHigh usage
Water and sewer charges are based on metered water consumed. Sewer charges are higher because of wastewater treatment costs.
High bill FAQInside leak checks
- Toilet flapper leak.
- Faucet or tub drip.
- Water heater area.
- Humidifier or refrigerator line.
Outside leak checks
- Hose bib left on.
- Irrigation or sprinkler break.
- Wet yard near service line.
- Pool fill or hose use.
Billing checks
- Compare quarterly usage.
- Separate water and sewer charges.
- Check account/user charges.
- Ask if field investigation is needed.
Leak Adjustment: What Howard County Requires
Howard County may adjust sewer charges for an underground leak, but only after the leak is repaired and the adjustment request is submitted correctly.
Repair the leak first
The county says the leak must be repaired before adjustment review.
Leak adjustment ruleWrite the request letter
Send a letter requesting an adjustment to the Department of Finance.
Email billing officeAttach plumbing proof
Attach a copy of the plumbing bill and include the name and daytime phone number for the contact person.
Required detailsExpect inspection
A utility worker may inspect the property, verify the repair, confirm no other leaks exist, read the meter, and submit a field report for review.
Inspection processFilling a Pool? Estimate the Water/Sewer Usage Before the Bill Arrives
Step 1
Estimate the gallons needed to fill the pool.
Step 2
Divide gallons by 748, which Howard County identifies as one unit of consumption.
Bay Fee Hardship Exemption and H2O Help to Others
Homeowner hardship exemption
Low-income homeowners living in the property can apply for both the Bay Fee Hardship Exemption and Trash Fee Credit with one form if requirements match.
Hardship exemption infoRenter Bay Fee exemption
Renters paying the water and sewer bill for the leased property can still qualify for the Bay Fee Hardship Exemption.
Renter exemption infoH2O Help to Others
The program connects residents who need help paying delinquent water/sewer bills with residents who want to help. Family and Children Services administers and verifies need.
H2O program detailMeter Reading Accuracy and Estimated-Bill Troubleshooting
| Issue | What Howard County says | What you should do | Official contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic meter reading | Most meters are read electronically by radio interface, reducing human error. | Review usage history in Utilli and compare to prior quarters. | Utilli portal |
| Substantial difference | Readings are compared to prior readings and the same time period in the prior year; significant differences can trigger review. | Ask whether the bill was reviewed or field investigation is needed. | 410-313-2058 |
| Estimated usage | Estimated usage is normally the result of a stopped meter. | Call to schedule a meter repair appointment. | 410-313-2058 |
| Possible transmitter issue | The county says actual over-registration is extremely rare; the general cause is a malfunctioning transmitter. | Ask for a field review and meter/transmitter check. | billing@howardcountymd.gov |
Howard County Finance Office Map and Visit Plan
Use this for in-person payment, billing documents, direct-debit paperwork, account questions, or cashier/drop-box planning.
Bring
Latest water/sewer bill, account number, property address, photo ID, payment proof, leak repair documents, or Direct Debit form/voided check.
Ask
“Is my payment received, is there any past-due notice, and is the account at risk of discontinuance?”
Drop box timing
Payments deposited after 8:30am are not collected until the next business day. Avoid drop box for urgent shutoff risk.
Official Howard County Water Bill Links
Howard County Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay my Howard County water and sewer bill online?
Use the official Howard County Utilli portal. You can register, review water/sewer account information, view consumption and payment history, and pay your bill online.
What is the Howard County water billing phone number?
Call the Water and Sewer Billing Division at 410-313-2058. Include your property address or account number when asking for help.
How often are Howard County water and sewer bills issued?
Howard County says water and sewer bills are issued quarterly.
Who is responsible for the water and sewer bill?
The property owner is responsible. Water usage charges are a property lien, and Howard County does not pro-rate between buyers and sellers or landlords and tenants.
How much is the online payment convenience fee?
Effective February 4, 2026, water and sewer credit/debit card payments processed through Govolution carry a 2.45% convenience fee with a $2 minimum. E-check payments carry a $1.50 convenience fee.
Is there a fee for Direct Debit automatic payment?
No. Howard County says there is no convenience fee for enrollment in the Direct Debit Automatic Payment Program.
Why can’t I register for Direct Debit?
The county notes that the water and sewer account must have a zero balance or credit balance to register for Direct Debit.
What happens if I pay late?
A 10% late fee is assessed to the unpaid balance if payment is not received by the net due date. Failure to pay past-due charges can result in discontinuance of service, turn-off/turn-on charges, and unpaid charges being placed in annual tax sale with an administrative fee.
What should I do if my bill is estimated?
Estimated usage is normally the result of a stopped meter. Contact Water and Sewer Billing at 410-313-2058 to schedule a meter repair appointment.
Can Howard County adjust my bill after a leak?
The county may adjust sewer charges if an underground leak occurred. The leak must be repaired first, then you must send an adjustment letter to Finance with a plumbing bill, name and daytime phone number. A utility worker may inspect the property before a decision.