Philadelphia Water Bill Help Center for Online Pay, 9-Digit Access Code, Assistance and Shutoff Protection
This guide is for Philadelphia Water Department customers who need to pay a water bill, find the official MyPhillyWaterBill login, understand card and eCheck fees, apply for assistance, prevent shutoff, dispute a high bill, or restore service after non-payment.
Use the action board first. Every step includes the official City link, phone number, address, email, or payment path inside the card so a Philadelphia customer can act immediately.
Fast answer: Philadelphia water customers can pay through MyPhillyWaterBill using the 9-digit Water Access Code from the bill and the service ZIP code. eCheck and automatic bank payments are free. Residential debit/credit card payments online or by phone have a listed $2.95 fee, and commercial debit/credit card payments have a listed $15.95 fee. For billing questions, call the Water Revenue Bureau at 215-685-6300.
Scam warning: The City says its water bill payment website does not end in .org or .com. Start from Phila.gov or the official MyPhillyWaterBill link below before entering payment details.
Philadelphia Water Bill Quick Facts
Philadelphia Water Bill Action Board: Use the Right Official Link
Pick the situation first. Philadelphia has separate paths for paying, assistance, shutoff protection, dispute hearings, meters, new customer setup, and permanent service discontinuance.
I need to pay now
Use the official City payment instructions, then open MyPhillyWaterBill. You need the 9-digit Water Access Code and service ZIP code.
Official pay page MyPhillyWaterBillI need free payment
Choose eCheck or automatic bank payment. The City lists both as free. Have routing and checking/savings account numbers ready.
Check free optionsI cannot pay in full
Apply for customer assistance, TAP, hardship help, senior discount, or a payment agreement. Do this before the balance becomes a shutoff problem.
Apply for assistance Payment planI received a shutoff notice
Request assistance, ask about a payment plan, or use Raise Your Hand protections if a senior, child, disabled person, or seriously ill person lives in the home.
Prevent shutoff Call 215-685-6300My bill looks wrong
Contact WRB first. If unresolved, request an informal hearing. Bring bills, meter readings, photos, payment proof, and repair documents.
Dispute a bill Email WRBWater is leaking or service is off
Use the 24/7 emergency hotline for water emergencies. For restoration after shutoff, call or visit customer service and resolve payment, plan, or meter-access requirements.
Emergency / WRB phone Restore serviceHow to Pay a Philadelphia Water Bill Online
Start from Phila.gov
Open the official City pay-water-bill page first. This protects you from fake MyPhillyWaterBill lookalike sites.
Open official City pageFind your Water Access Code
You need the 9-digit Water Access Code from your bill and your ZIP code. For eCheck, you also need routing and bank account numbers.
Open MyPhillyWaterBillChoose payment type
eCheck and automatic bank payments are free. Card payments are convenient but include listed processing fees.
Compare feesSave your proof
Keep the confirmation number, amount, date, account address, access code, and screenshot until the payment appears on the account.
Call WRB if urgentPhiladelphia Water Bill Payment Methods and Fees
| Payment method | Official detail | Best for | Action link / next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| MyPhillyWaterBill login | View and pay your current bill, print bills for the last 13 months, sign up for paperless billing, AutoPay, and eCheck. | Most customers, proof, AutoPay, payment allocation. | Log in |
| eCheck online | Free. Requires routing number and checking or savings account number. | Lowest-cost online payment. | Read eCheck instructions |
| Automatic bank payment | Free recurring monthly payment from checking or savings through MyPhillyWaterBill. | Customers who forget due dates or want automatic bill handling. | Sign up for AutoPay |
| Debit / credit card online | Listed processing fee: residential $2.95; commercial $15.95. | Card customers who accept the fee. | Pay by card |
| Phone payment | Call 215-685-6300 for free eCheck. Call 877-309-3709 for interactive voice card payment. | Customers without portal access. | eCheck phone / card phone |
| Send check or money order payable to Water Revenue Bureau, P.O. Box 41496, Philadelphia, PA 19101-1496. | Non-urgent check payments. | Mail early; do not mail if shutoff is near. | |
| Cash | Cash is accepted at the Municipal Services Building payment center. | Cash customers who can visit Center City. | See payment centers |
Philadelphia Water Bill Payment Fee Estimator
Use this as a quick planning tool. It estimates listed payment processing fees only. It does not calculate your water, sewer, stormwater, late fees, liens, payment agreement, HELP loan, or repair charges.
Always verify current fees on the official City payment page before submitting payment.
Philadelphia Water Bill Payment Centers
Use these locations for in-person water bill help or payment. For cash, use the Center City Municipal Services Building location.
| Location | Address | Hours listed | Cash? | Practical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center City | Municipal Services Building, 1401 JFK Blvd., Concourse Level, Philadelphia, PA 19102 | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. | Yes | Cash payment, account help, service center visit, shutoff assistance. |
| Northeast Philadelphia | 7522 Castor Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152 | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. | No cash | Account help and non-cash payments. |
| North Philadelphia | 2761 N. 22nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19132 / 19131 area listing | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. | No cash | Account help and non-cash payments. |
Philadelphia Water Bill Assistance: TAP, Hardship, Senior Discount and UESF
Philadelphia uses one customer assistance application for multiple water help programs. Apply early if the bill is unaffordable; do not wait until a shutoff visit is scheduled.
Customer assistance application
Use one application to be considered for help if you are low income, a senior, or facing a special hardship.
Open assistance pageDocuments to gather
Prepare proof of residency, household members, monthly income, and hardship proof if applying because of job loss, illness, household change, death, domestic violence, or major expenses.
Application documentsUESF grants
Philadelphia Water Department says Utility Emergency Services Fund may offer grants for eligible households.
UESF helpApply online or print/request an application
If applying online, you need electronic copies or photos of documents. If applying by mail, make photocopies and never send original documents.
Start assistance applicationUse the assistance email only for questions
For application questions, email watercap@phila.gov. The City says application materials cannot be submitted by email.
Email questionsMail completed applications correctly
Completed assistance applications can be mailed to the Water Revenue Bureau Customer Assistance Application Processing Center.
See mailing addressSenior discount check
Senior customers may qualify for a 25% discount if they meet age, residence, bill-name, and household income rules.
Senior discountPrevent a Philadelphia Water Shutoff
Payment agreement
Most residential standard agreements require a 25% down payment and must be paid in 6–12 months. Some low-income applicants may qualify for a reduced down payment.
Set up payment planRaise Your Hand
If a senior 65+, person with a disability or serious illness, or child under 18 lives in the home, contact WRB to prevent shutoff or restore service.
Shutoff exemptionMedical delay
For serious illness, WRB may delay shutoff for 30 days. Medical documentation must be submitted within five business days of the original request.
Email MedicalDelay@phila.govUse this shutoff call script
Restore Philadelphia Water Service After Shutoff
Call or visit WRB
If water was shut off for non-payment, call 215-685-6300 or visit one of the customer service locations to pay the full balance or set up a payment plan.
Call WRB Restore service pageAsk about the restoration fee
The City lists a $100 restoration fee for most customers and a $385 restoration fee for service lines bigger than 2 inches.
Check restoration feesAllow meter access if required
If shutoff happened because the City could not access the meter for inspection, changes, or repairs, you must permit meter access before service is restored.
Meter instructionsNotice of Defect
If service was shut off because of a Notice of Defect, the City lists 215-685-9651 for that situation.
Call 215-685-9651Dispute a Philadelphia Water Bill or Service Decision
| Step | What to do | Proof to prepare | Official action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start with WRB | Contact customer service first. The City says WRB may be able to offer a simple solution. | Bill, Water Access Code, service address, payment proof, photos, meter notes. | wrbhelpdesk@phila.gov or 215-685-6300 |
| Request informal hearing | If unresolved after a written decision, request an informal hearing with WRB. | High-bill evidence, meter access records, assistance denial, payment agreement documents. | Dispute a water bill |
| Wait for decision | The City says a written decision is made within 60 days after the informal hearing. | Keep copies of every document submitted. | Review process |
| Appeal to TRB | If you disagree with the written decision, appeal to the Tax Review Board within 60 days. | Decision letter and appeal petition. | Appeal decision |
Meter, Estimated Bill and Leak Check Steps
Read the meter correctly
The six-digit number on the meter face is the current usage reading. Record all six digits, including leading zeros.
Water meter guideSmall leak test
Turn off all water in the home. If the small blue dial still moves, the City says that can indicate a very small leak.
Meter leak instructionsBroken meter
If the meter is damaged or missing, call 215-685-6300. The City may bill estimated usage until the replacement meter is installed.
Call 215-685-6300Become a Philadelphia Water Customer
Philadelphia has different customer setup paths for property owners, tenants, occupants, and commercial tenants. Use the correct official path instead of assuming the bill automatically moves into your name.
Property owner
Use the City’s property-owner customer instructions when buying or owning the property.
Owner instructionsTenant
Use the tenant instructions if you pay rent and need the water bill in your name.
Tenant instructionsOccupant
Use the occupant instructions if you live at the property with permission but without a lease.
Occupant instructionsCommercial tenant
Use the commercial tenant path if you rent or lease space to run a business.
Commercial instructionsStop Water Service, Selling Property or Permanent Discontinuance
Selling a property
The City says a water service account updates automatically after the deed of sale is registered. A Discontinuance Permit is not needed just because you are selling.
Stop service guidePermanent service stop
A Discontinuance Permit permanently disconnects water and sewer service lines from the City main. It is not a temporary way to avoid charges.
Discontinuance PermitWhat to bring
Current water bill, photo ID, and authorization letter if you are not the owner or if a company owns the property.
See MSB mapPermit Desk contact
PWD Permit Desk: Municipal Services Building, Public Service Concourse, 1401 JFK Blvd.; phone 215-685-3015; hours Monday–Friday, 8am–3:30pm.
Call Permit DeskPhiladelphia Water Rates and Why Bills Changed
September 2025 change
The Philadelphia Water Department said the typical residential monthly bill increased 9.4% starting September 1, 2025.
Rate change noticeTypical bill example
PWD’s public notice example described a typical residential customer using 430 cubic feet, or 3,220 gallons, with the typical bill moving from $81.77 to $89.42 on September 1, 2025.
Read rate exampleRate Board
The Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board sets rates and publishes official rates and charges documents, including schedules effective September 1, 2025 and September 1, 2026.
Official rates documentsPhiladelphia Water Bill Office Map and Visit Plan
Use the Municipal Services Building for Center City water bill payment and service help. Cash is accepted at the Center City payment center; Northeast and North Philadelphia centers list no cash payments.
Bring
Water bill, 9-digit access code, service address, ZIP code, photo ID, shutoff notice, payment proof, and assistance documents if applying.
Ask
“Is my account current after this payment, and is any shutoff, restoration fee, payment agreement, or assistance application still pending?”
For emergency water issues
Call 215-685-6300. PWD lists the water emergency hotline as available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Official Philadelphia Water Bill Links
Philadelphia Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay my Philadelphia water bill online?
Use the official City pay-water-bill page, then open MyPhillyWaterBill. You need the 9-digit Water Access Code from your bill and the service ZIP code. For eCheck, you also need your routing and checking or savings account number.
What is the official Philadelphia water bill login?
The official account portal is MyPhillyWaterBill, linked from Phila.gov. The City warns that its water bill payment website does not end in .org or .com, so start from the official City payment page.
What phone number do I call for Philadelphia water bill help?
Call the Water Revenue Bureau at 215-685-6300 for water billing-related questions. The same number is also listed for Philadelphia Water Department general inquiries and the 24/7 water emergency hotline.
Can I pay a Philadelphia water bill by phone?
Yes. Call 215-685-6300 to pay with free eCheck, or call 877-309-3709 to pay through the interactive voice system by debit or credit card.
Where do I mail a Philadelphia water bill payment?
Mail check or money order payments to Water Revenue Bureau, P.O. Box 41496, Philadelphia, PA 19101-1496. Do not use mail for urgent shutoff-day payments.
Where can I pay a Philadelphia water bill with cash?
Cash payment is accepted at the Center City Municipal Services Building payment center at 1401 JFK Blvd., Concourse Level. The Northeast and North Philadelphia payment centers list no cash payments.
How do I get help paying a Philadelphia water bill?
Apply through the water bill customer assistance application. The City says anyone having trouble paying should apply, especially low-income customers, seniors, and customers with a special hardship. For application questions, email watercap@phila.gov or call 215-685-6300.
How can I prevent a Philadelphia water shutoff?
Apply for assistance, request a payment plan, ask about a medical delay, or use Raise Your Hand protection if a senior 65 or older, person with a disability or serious illness, or child under 18 lives in the home. Call 215-685-6300 or email wrbhelpdesk@phila.gov.
How do I dispute a high Philadelphia water bill?
Contact the Water Revenue Bureau first by phone, email, or mail. If the issue is not resolved after a written decision, request an informal hearing. If you disagree with the informal hearing decision, you can appeal to the Tax Review Board within 60 days.
What should I do if my water meter is broken or the bill is estimated?
Call 215-685-6300 to schedule meter repair or replacement. Until the replacement meter is installed, the Water Revenue Bureau may bill estimated usage based on past usage and meter size.