Lincoln Water & Wastewater Bill Help for Online Pay, Shutoff Risk, Rates and High Usage
This guide is for City of Lincoln, Nebraska water and wastewater customers who need to pay online, use Quick Pay, set up AutoPay, avoid a disconnection, restore water service, start or stop service, check a high bill, or contact the right Lincoln Water System office.
Every section below gives the official city link, phone number, payment address, drop-box rule, fee warning or call script, so users can complete the task instead of searching through multiple city pages.
Fast answer: City of Lincoln water and wastewater customers can pay online at WaterBill.lincoln.ne.gov. For Quick Pay, use the account number from the most recent bill and the account-location ZIP code. Customers can also pay by mail, in person at 555 South 10th Street, Room 213, or use official drop boxes, but past-due accounts that are “Subject to Disconnect” must pay online or in person.
Important: Lincoln’s FAQ says water bills cannot be paid over the phone. For past-due payment arrangements, call Collections/Past Due at 402-441-7533.
Lincoln Water Bill Quick Facts
Lincoln Water Bill Action Board: Use the Correct Official Route
Start here if you need to act quickly. A regular payment, AutoPay setup, past-due arrangement and disconnected-service restoration each require different steps.
I only need to pay once
Use Quick Pay at WaterBill.lincoln.ne.gov with your account number and account-location ZIP code.
Open Quick PayI want AutoPay or paperless
Find the Customer ID on your bill, then create an online account. Accounts must be paid in full to register for automatic payments.
AutoPay instructionsI am behind on payments
Call Collections/Past Due at 402-441-7533 before the account becomes critical.
Call past-due officeMy water was shut off
The full water/wastewater amount plus $50 turn-off/turn-on fees must be paid before service is restored.
Restore service rulesMy bill is high
Check for toilet, faucet, sprinkler, water softener and water heater leaks before disputing the amount.
Leak checklistI need start/stop service
Call Customer Service/Start and Stop Service at 402-441-7551.
Call customer serviceHow to Pay a Lincoln Water and Wastewater Bill Online
Find the account number
Use the account number listed on your most recent water and wastewater bill.
Payment stepsOpen WaterBill.lincoln.ne.gov
The City lists this portal for online payment by credit card or bank account.
Open online paymentSave the receipt
Keep the confirmation number, payment date, amount and account number. If the account is subject to disconnect, call 402-441-7533 after paying.
Call if urgentAutoPay and Paperless Billing Rules
Customer ID needed
To create an online account, find the Customer ID on your most recent bill and use the sign-up option under the portal login area.
Create accountMust be paid in full
Accounts must be paid in full before automatic payments can be set up.
AutoPay rulesDisconnect accounts
Past-due accounts that are subject to disconnect must be paid in full before registering for paperless billing.
Paperless ruleMail, In-Person and Drop Box Payment Options
| Payment method | Official detail | Best use | Official path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Water and Wastewater Payment Processing, P.O. Box 87102, Lincoln, NE 68501. | Non-urgent check payment with payment stub. | Mail instructions | |
| In person | Lincoln Water and Wastewater Business Office, 555 South 10th Street, Room 213, Lincoln, NE 68508. | Past-due accounts, payment proof, billing questions, start/stop service. | See map |
| City/County Building drop box | West side drive-through, 555 South 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508. | Convenient non-urgent drop-off. | Drop box list |
| Lincoln Water System drop box | Front entrance, 2021 North 27th Street, Lincoln, NE 68503. | Drop-off near the Water System facility. | Drop box list |
Past Due, Payment Plans and Disconnection Policy
120-day rule
Water and wastewater bills that are past due by 120 days or more are subject to disconnect.
Disconnection policyPayment plan
If service is subject to disconnect, call 402-441-7533 to arrange a payment plan before termination.
Call 402-441-7533Dispute discussion
You may request a discussion before the termination date. Service will not be terminated while that discussion is pending.
Review rightsPast-due call script
Restore Water Service After Disconnection
Confirm total due
The entire water and wastewater amount is due before restoration, plus $25 turn-off fee and $25 turn-on fee.
Call CollectionsPay before 3 p.m.
Payment must be received in the Lincoln Water System Business Office before 3 p.m. for service to be restored that day.
Pay onlineCall if you paid online
If you pay online, call 402-441-7533 before 3 p.m. to arrange water service turn-on.
Call before 3 p.m.Have an adult present
An adult over 18 must be present when water service is restored. Missing the scheduled time can cause an additional $25 trip charge.
Restoration rulesStart, Stop or Move Lincoln Water Service
Start / stop service
Call Customer Service/Start and Stop Service at 402-441-7551.
Call customer serviceAccount number changes when you move
The FAQ says account numbers reside with the physical address. A move means your account number changes.
Billing FAQLincoln 2025/26 Water and Wastewater Rates
Lincoln’s water and wastewater utilities do not receive City General Fund tax dollars. Rate income pays for operating, maintenance, billing, meter services, sewer maintenance and system improvements.
| Rate item | 2025/26 official detail | What it means | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8 inch water monthly service charge | $9.89 | Base water charge before usage. | Rates |
| 5/8 inch wastewater monthly service charge | $4.90 | Base wastewater charge before volume. | Rates |
| 5/8 x 3/4 inch water monthly service charge | $14.94 | Common larger residential service/meter base charge. | Rates |
| Residential water unit | 1 unit = 748 gallons | Most residential customers are billed every 60 days. | Water blocks |
| Residential water block 1 | $2.023 per unit; 1–8 units monthly or 1–16 units bi-monthly. | Lowest usage block. | Block rates |
| Residential water block 2 | $2.876 per unit; next 15 monthly or next 30 bi-monthly units. | Middle usage block. | Block rates |
| Residential water block 3 | $4.374 per unit for all additional units. | High usage costs more per unit. | Block rates |
High Lincoln Water Bill: Leak Check Before You Dispute
Lincoln’s FAQ says abnormally high bills may be tied to faucet or toilet leaks, outside usage, hotter/drier weather or other increased consumption. Start with the meter.
Locate the meter
The water meter is normally in the basement, crawl space or utility room where the water service line enters the property.
Locate leaksStop all water use
Pick a time when no water is being used. If the blue star-shaped disc or red sweep hand moves, water is moving through the meter.
Meter testDo an overnight reading
Record the meter reading, use no water for several hours or overnight, then check again. A changed reading means a device may be running or leaking.
Overnight testCall billing for verification
If you still think the bill is wrong, call Water Billing at 402-441-7551 to verify the billed amount.
Call billingToilet leaks
- Toilet leaks are the number one cause of increased water consumption.
- The City says about 20% of toilets leak.
- Put food coloring in the tank and do not flush.
- If color appears in the bowl after 15–30 minutes, repair the leak.
Other places to check
- Water softener running more than normal.
- Faucets that drip or will not shut off.
- Humidifier on the furnace running more than normal.
- Outside spigot, sprinkler system or water heater area.
Bill clues
- Compare this bill to the prior 2–3 bills.
- Remember most residential customers are billed every 60 days.
- Look for usage moving into higher water blocks.
- Keep plumber receipts if a repair is made.
High-bill call script
Financial Assistance, Payment Arrangements and Third-Party Notice
Payment arrangements
If there is a chance you may get behind, call 402-441-7533 before the situation becomes critical.
Bill assistance resourcesLocal assistance resources
The City points customers to community resources, including agencies that serve families, older adults and residents facing hardship.
Assistance pageThird-party notice
You can designate someone outside the household to be notified if water service becomes subject to termination due to unpaid bills.
Third-party noticeSewer Backup, Wastewater Questions and Emergency Contacts
| Issue | Who to contact | Phone | Best next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billing, start/stop service | Water and Wastewater Customer Service | 402-441-7551 | Use for bill questions, starting service and stopping service. |
| Past-due balance | Collections / Past Due | 402-441-7533 | Use for payment plans, subject-to-disconnect accounts and restoration. |
| Wastewater customer questions | Lincoln Wastewater System | 402-441-7961 | Use for wastewater system questions and after-hours emergencies listed by Wastewater. |
| Water emergency at meter / shutoff help | Lincoln Water System | 402-441-7571 | Call if the valve at the meter will not work in an emergency and water must be shut off at the stop box. |
Lincoln Water and Wastewater Business Office Map and Visit Plan
Use the City/County Building office for in-person payment, subject-to-disconnect accounts, payment proof, service restoration, start/stop service questions and billing help.
Bring
Water bill, account number, Customer ID if signing up online, payment proof, past-due notice, photo ID if needed, and plumber/leak notes if disputing usage.
Ask before leaving
“Is my payment posted, is my account still subject to disconnect, and is any turn-on, turn-off or trip charge still required?”
Office hours
The Customer Service page lists Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Official Lincoln Water Bill Links
Lincoln Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay my Lincoln water bill online?
Go to WaterBill.lincoln.ne.gov. For Quick Pay, enter the account number from your most recent bill and the account-location ZIP code.
Can I pay my Lincoln water bill by phone?
No. The Lincoln Water System billing FAQ says water and wastewater bills cannot be paid over the phone. Use WaterBill.lincoln.ne.gov, mail, in-person payment or approved drop boxes.
What is the Lincoln water billing phone number?
For Customer Service and Start/Stop Service, call 402-441-7551. For Collections/Past Due, call 402-441-7533.
Where is the Lincoln Water and Wastewater Business Office?
The office is at 555 South 10th Street, Room 213, Lincoln, NE 68508. The City lists customer-service hours Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Where do I mail a Lincoln water bill payment?
Mail payment with the payment stub to Lincoln Water and Wastewater Payment Processing, P.O. Box 87102, Lincoln, NE 68501.
How often are Lincoln residential water bills sent?
The City FAQ says customers receive bills every other month. The rates page also notes most residential customers are billed every 60 days.
When can Lincoln water service be disconnected?
Lincoln’s disconnection policy says water and wastewater bills that are past due by 120 days or more are subject to disconnect.
How do I prevent shutoff if I am behind?
Call the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Water Billing Collection and Past Due division at 402-441-7533 to discuss a payment plan before service is terminated.
How do I restore Lincoln water service after shutoff?
The full water and wastewater amount plus $25 turn-off fee and $25 turn-on fee must be paid. Payment must be received before 3 p.m. for same-day restoration, and an adult over 18 must be present when service is restored.
What should I do if my Lincoln water bill is high?
Check for leaks first. The City recommends checking the meter when no water is being used, doing an overnight meter reading test, and checking toilets, faucets, water softener, humidifier, outside spigots, sprinklers and water heater area. Then call 402-441-7551 if you need the billed amount verified.