NYC Water Bill Help Center for My DEP Account, QuickPay, High Bills & Payment Agreements
This guide helps New York City property owners pay a water and wastewater bill, use My DEP Account, make a QuickPay payment, understand current water/sewer rates, check high usage, apply for leak forgiveness, update ownership/contact details, and avoid payment-agreement mistakes.
Every task below includes the official DEP, NYC311, or NYC Water Board link beside the step, so you can move directly from the problem to the correct portal, phone number, office, form, or program.
Fast answer: Pay an NYC water and wastewater bill through My DEP Account, one-time DEP QuickPay, automated phone payment at 866-622-8292, mail to NYC Water Board, P.O. Box 11863, Newark, NJ 07101-8163, DEP Borough Offices, or NYC Department of Finance Business Centers. For billing help, call 718-595-7000.
Most useful shortcut: sign up for My DEP Account if you own or manage the property. It lets you pay online, view current/past bills, enroll in eBilling, track usage, sign up for leak notifications, file billing disputes, and manage account preferences.
NYC Water Bill Quick Facts
NYC Water Bill Action Board: Official Link Beside Every Step
Start here. Each card gives the task, the official route, and the detail that avoids payment delay, login confusion, or unnecessary fees.
I need full account access
Register for My DEP Account with your account number and activation token from the water and wastewater bill.
Open My DEP AccountI only need a one-time payment
Use DEP QuickPay without logging in. You will need the DEP account number, house number, and payment details.
Use QuickPayI want phone payment
Call 866-622-8292 any time. Checking/savings phone payment is listed at no cost; debit/credit card payment has a 2.25% fee.
Phone payment rulesI cannot pay in full
Contact DEP’s Collections Unit at 718-595-7890 or email collectionsunit@dep.nyc.gov to discuss a payment agreement.
Payment agreement infoMy bill suddenly increased
Check My DEP Account usage, sign up for leak notification, test toilets, and repair leaks quickly before charges grow.
Leak forgiveness rulesI need in-person help
Visit any DEP Borough Office regardless of borough residence. Offices are listed below with official addresses.
Borough office listHow to Pay an NYC Water Bill Online: My DEP Account vs QuickPay
| Online path | Best for | What you need | Official action |
|---|---|---|---|
| My DEP Account | Owners and property managers who want payment history, usage tracking, leak alerts, eBilling, disputes, refunds, autopay and monthly billing. | DEP account number and activation token from the water and wastewater bill. | Register / login |
| DEP QuickPay | One-time payment without creating a My DEP Account profile. | DEP account number, house number, and bank/card information. | Make one-time payment |
| Bank payment | Customers who want to avoid card convenience fees. | Checking or savings details. | See payment methods |
| Debit / credit card | Customers who prefer card payment and accept the fee. | Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express details. | Confirm 2.25% fee before submitting. |
Phone, Mail and In-Person NYC Water Bill Payment Options
Pay by phone
Call 866-622-8292, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Checking/savings payments are listed at no cost; card payments carry a 2.25% convenience fee.
Phone pay detailsPay by mail
Make check or money order payable to NYC Water Board and include the bill stub.
Mail instructionsDEP Borough Offices
Pay in person with check or money order at DEP Borough Offices and get account help.
See office listDOF Business Centers
Pay in person with cash, check, or money order at NYC Department of Finance Business Centers.
DOF locationsCurrent NYC Water and Sewer Rates: July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
NYC water and wastewater rates are set by the New York City Water Board. Water consumption is billed per 100 cubic feet, and 100 cubic feet equals 748 gallons.
| Rate item | Current amount | What it means | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water rate | $5.35 per 100 cubic feet | Applies to water consumption for FY 2027. | NYC Water Board rates |
| Sewer rate | 159% of water = $8.51 per 100 cubic feet | Sewer charge is calculated as a percentage of water charge. | NYC311 rate page |
| Combined water + sewer | $13.86 per 100 cubic feet | This is the combined charge for 748 gallons. | Rate schedule |
| Minimum metered charge | $1.27 per day | Minimum water and sewer charge per metered household. | NYC311 water rate |
| Multi-Family Conservation Program | $1,412.60 per unit annually | Flat annual per-unit charge for eligible MCP properties. | MCP rate note |
NYC Billing Cycle, Water Meters and Estimated Bills
Automated meter reading
AMR devices transmit readings from the property’s water meter so DEP can bill based on usage without a routine meter-reader visit.
Billing FAQsMost small properties
Most small NYC properties are billed on metered usage, with bills generated once every three months for most customers.
When bills arriveEstimated bills
An estimated bill can happen when DEP cannot obtain a meter reading, even though the meter itself may still be recording usage.
Estimated bill FAQEstimated-bill call script
NYC DEP Payment Agreement and Collections Help
If you cannot pay in full, do not wait for collection, lien, or shutoff pressure. DEP has a separate Collections Unit for payment agreements.
Call the Collections Unit
Contact 718-595-7890 Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm to discuss a payment agreement for outstanding water and wastewater charges.
Payment agreement infoEmail if needed
Email collectionsunit@dep.nyc.gov with account number, property address, owner contact information, and the reason you need an agreement.
Email Collections UnitKeep paying agreement amounts
DEP says online and phone payment options will tell you the amount due, so you know what is needed to remain current on an agreement.
Agreement payment FAQUse in-person office for complex cases
If a lien, foreclosure, owner change, multiple accounts, or document issue exists, bring paperwork to a DEP Borough Office.
See borough officesWater Shutoff Warning, Leak Repair Notice and Exemptions
| Situation | What DEP says | What to do immediately | Official action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Shut Off Warning – Notice to Repair | DEP believes there is a leak in the water service line and gives three days to hire a Licensed Master Plumber to fix it. | Call a Licensed Master Plumber, document repair, and contact DEP if timing is impossible. | Read notice rules |
| Failure to repair | If repairs are not made within three days, DEP may shut off service and charge a $1,000 shutoff fee. | Do not ignore the notice. Ask about service-line protection or insurance if enrolled. | Service Line Protection |
| Medical / age / disability / child exemption | You may be eligible to stop shutoff if there is a significant medical condition, someone 62+, a disabled person, or a child under 6 in the household. | Contact Collections at 718-595-7890 and send documentation to watershutoff@dep.nyc.gov. | Email shutoff documentation |
| Wrong balance on notice | You can send a written complaint to the NYC Water Board by the deadline on the notice. | Identify property, explain why charges are incorrect, and include return mail, phone and email if available. | Email NYC Water Board |
High NYC Water Bill? Check Usage, Toilets and Service Lines First
DEP says high bills are often connected to undetected leaks. My DEP Account usage tracking and leak notifications can help catch problems before the next quarterly bill.
Toilet dye test
- Put one teaspoon of food coloring in the toilet tank.
- Wait 10–15 minutes without flushing.
- If color appears in the bowl, water is leaking from the tank.
- Repair flapper or fill valve quickly.
- Test each toilet once a year.
My DEP usage review
- Log in to My DEP Account.
- Compare recent usage with prior billing periods.
- Turn on online leak notifications.
- Look for constant flow when no one is using water.
- Print or save screenshots before calling.
Service line / plumbing
- Owners are responsible for property water and sewer service lines and plumbing.
- Use a Licensed Master Plumber for service-line work.
- Check basement, yard, sidewalk and meter area for signs of leaks.
- Ask about Service Line Protection only if already enrolled.
- Keep repair proof for any dispute or forgiveness request.
NYC DEP Leak Forgiveness Program: What Qualifies and What to Submit
| Requirement | DEP rule | Practical user step | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metered property | Property must be billed on metered charges. | Check bill type in My DEP Account or call Customer Service. | Leak Forgiveness |
| High-bill threshold | Leak must cost at least 200% of a normal representative bill, with a lower 150% threshold in some cases where meter data was not readily available. | Compare the high bill with typical bills before applying. | Threshold rule |
| Repair deadline | Leak must be fixed within 120 days from the original bill that contained the high charge. | Repair immediately and keep plumber invoice, parts receipts or repair proof. | Repair deadline |
| Request deadline | Mail a written request within 120 days of the original bill, or create a high-bill dispute online using My DEP Account. | Use My DEP Account for easier tracking when possible. | Apply through My DEP |
| Forgiveness amount | One half of the high bill amount may be forgiven, but the final amount owed will not be less than 150% of the typical bill. | Expect partial relief, not a full erase of the bill. | Forgiveness amount |
Leak forgiveness call script
Owners, Tenants and Property Managers: Who Controls the NYC Water Account?
Property owner account
The water and sewer account remains in the name of the property owner. Owners can update contact information with the Customer Registration Form.
Account update infoTenant or other recipient
An owner can request that the bill be sent to an alternate person or that copies be sent to an interested party such as a tenant.
Bill copy rulesProperty manager access
Owners can delegate access in My DEP Account, and property managers may need the correct role to add accounts to their profile.
Delegate account FAQSelling or Transferring NYC Property? Request the Final Water Meter Reading Early
Request title read early
Request a Property Transfer Meter Reading, also called a Title Read or Final Read, at least 30 days before closing.
Final reading rulesBudget the reading fee
NYC311 lists a $25 charge for this reading, and an inspection may be scheduled if needed.
Fee detailKnow what it does not do
A title read does not shut off water or sewer service to the property.
Read transfer noteClean up account access
Before/after sale, stop autopay, cancel service-line protection if enrolled, and unenroll from My DEP online access if appropriate.
Manage My DEP AccountNYC Water Bill Assistance Programs
Home Water Assistance Program
Eligible one- to four-family homeowners are automatically selected through HEAP, SCHE, DHE, or Veteran benefit pathways.
HWAP details$191 automatic credit
Eligible customers receive a $191 credit labeled “NYC Home Water Assistance Credit” and “Home Water Assistance Program Plus.”
Credit explanationWater Debt Assistance
Some two- and three-family owner-occupied properties facing foreclosure and lien sale may qualify for water debt assistance.
Financial assistance noteDEP Borough Offices: In-Person Water Bill Help
Customers can receive service at any DEP Borough Office regardless of their borough of residence. Office hours are listed as Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, except certain holidays.
| Borough | DEP office address | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bronx | 1932 Arthur Avenue, 6th Floor | Bill questions, payment help, forms, account research. |
| Brooklyn | 345 Adams Street, 9th Floor | Payment by check/money order and in-person customer service. |
| Manhattan | 55 West 125th Street, 9th Floor | Account questions, meter issues, bill disputes. |
| Queens | 59-17 Junction Blvd, 9th Floor | DEP customer service, correspondence, Water Board/DEP nearby offices. |
| Staten Island | 60 Bay Street, 6th Floor | In-person help for Staten Island and any NYC borough customer. |
10 NYC Water Bill Attributes With Practical Answers
| Attribute | Answer users need | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| DEP account number | Needed for My DEP Account, QuickPay, phone payment, customer-service calls, disputes and payment agreements. | Find it on the water and wastewater bill. |
| Activation token | Needed to complete My DEP Account sign-up. | Use the current bill when registering. |
| 100 cubic feet | Billing unit equal to 748 gallons. | Multiply units by current rate to estimate usage charges. |
| Sewer rate | Sewer is set at 159% of water charges. | Remember high water usage can raise sewer too. |
| My DEP Account | Best for eBilling, usage, past bills, autopay, monthly billing, disputes and leak notification. | Register |
| QuickPay | One-time payment without My DEP login. | Pay one time |
| Card convenience fee | Debit/credit card payments carry a 2.25% convenience fee. | Use checking/savings if avoiding fees matters. |
| Leak notification | Helps catch unusual usage before the next quarterly bill. | Enable it in My DEP Account. |
| Payment agreement | Outstanding balances should be discussed with DEP Collections. | Call 718-595-7890. |
| Title read | Final water meter reading before property sale should be requested 30 days before closing. | Request early and budget $25. |
Official NYC Water Bill Links
NYC Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay my NYC water bill online?
Use My DEP Account for full account access, eBilling, usage tracking, leak notifications, disputes and recurring payments. Use DEP QuickPay for a one-time online payment without logging in.
What phone number do I call for NYC water bill payment?
Call 866-622-8292 to use DEP’s automated payment service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For customer-service questions, call 718-595-7000.
Where do I mail an NYC water bill payment?
Mail check or money order payable to NYC Water Board with the bill stub to NYC Water Board, P.O. Box 11863, Newark, NJ 07101-8163.
What is the current NYC water and sewer rate?
For the period beginning July 1, 2026, the water rate is $5.35 per 100 cubic feet and the combined water/sewer charge is $13.86 per 100 cubic feet.
What is 100 cubic feet on an NYC water bill?
One hundred cubic feet equals 748 gallons. NYC water and sewer rates are stated per 100 cubic feet.
How do I set up an NYC DEP payment agreement?
Contact DEP’s Collections Unit at 718-595-7890, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or email collectionsunit@dep.nyc.gov.
Why did my NYC water bill increase suddenly?
A sudden increase can be caused by a toilet leak, service-line leak, plumbing issue, estimated reading correction, higher usage, or a missed leak notification. Check My DEP usage and test toilets first.
Can NYC DEP forgive a high water bill caused by a leak?
DEP’s Leak Forgiveness Program may provide relief if the property is metered, the bill meets the high-charge threshold, the leak is fixed within 120 days, and the request is submitted on time.
Who is responsible for water service lines in NYC?
Property owners are responsible for their property’s water and sewer service lines and plumbing. DEP recommends hiring a Licensed Master Plumber for service-line work.
How do I get a final water meter reading before selling a property?
Request a Property Transfer Meter Reading, also called a Title Read or Final Read, at least 30 days before closing. NYC311 lists a $25 charge for this reading.