You can pay your Los Angeles Department of Water and Power bill online through their website, by phone, or through automatic payments from your bank account

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) offers several ways to pay your water and power bill without visiting a payment center or mailing a check. The fastest method is through their website at ladwp.com, where you can pay a one-time bill or set up automatic payments. You can also pay by phone, through their mobile app, or authorize your bank to send payments directly to LADWP.

Each method takes a different amount of time to process and requires different information from you. Knowing which option works best for your situation — whether you need to pay today or prefer to automate future payments — helps you avoid late fees and keeps your service active.

Key Takeaways

  • LADWP's website at ladwp.com lets you pay with a debit or credit card, and the payment posts within one to two business days.
  • Automatic payments from your bank account take three to five business days to reach LADWP but cost nothing and never miss a due date.
  • You will need your LADWP account number, which appears on your bill, to pay online or by phone.
  • If your payment does not post by the due date shown on your bill, LADWP may charge a late fee, so plan ahead for processing time.
  • The LADWP mobile app and their phone line (1-800-342-5397) offer the same payment options as the website.

Paying through the LADWP website

Go to ladwp.com and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Billing" section on the homepage. You will be asked to enter your account number (found on your bill) and either your service address or the phone number associated with your account. Once you log in or provide this information, your current bill amount will appear on the screen.

You can then choose to pay the full amount, a partial amount, or an amount of your choosing. LADWP accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards, as well as debit cards. There is no fee to pay with a bank account or debit card, but credit card payments may carry a processing fee — the website will show you the fee before you confirm the payment.

After you submit your payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot. The payment typically posts to your account within one to two business days, though LADWP recommends allowing up to three business days before the due date to be safe.

Setting up automatic payments from your bank

Automatic payments are the most reliable way to never miss a due date. You can set this up through your own bank's bill pay service rather than through LADWP's website. Log into your bank's online banking portal, select "Add a Payee," and enter LADWP's mailing address. Your bank will then send a check or electronic payment on the schedule you choose.

The payment takes three to five business days to arrive at LADWP after your bank sends it, so set the payment date at least five business days before your bill's due date. This method costs nothing and works even if you do not have a credit or debit card. You can change or cancel the payment at any time through your bank.

Alternatively, you can authorize LADWP to pull payments directly from your bank account through their website. This is faster than bank bill pay — the payment posts within one to two business days — and you can set it up to happen on a fixed date each month or each billing cycle. You will need your bank account number and routing number to set this up.

Paying by phone or through the mobile app

Call LADWP's automated payment line at 1-800-342-5397. You will need your account number and a debit or credit card ready. The system will guide you through entering your payment amount and card information. Payments made by phone post within one to two business days, the same as online payments.

The LADWP mobile app (available on iOS and Android) offers the same payment options as the website. Download the app, log in with your account number and service address or phone number, and select "Pay My Bill." You can pay immediately or schedule a payment for a future date. The app also shows your current balance, usage history, and due date at a glance.

What to do if you cannot pay the full amount

LADWP allows partial payments online, by phone, and through the app. You can pay any amount toward your bill, even if it does not cover the full balance. However, any unpaid balance will accrue late fees if it is not paid by the due date.

If you are struggling to pay your bill, contact LADWP's Customer Service at 1-800-342-5397 to ask about payment plans or hardship programs. They can discuss options such as spreading your balance over several months or connecting you with assistance programs if you may have access to based on income.

Common mistakes to avoid when paying online

The most common error is confusing the payment date with the posting date. If you pay on the due date, your payment may not post until one to three business days later, which counts as late. To be safe, submit your payment at least three business days before the due date shown on your bill.

Another mistake is paying with a credit card and not noticing the processing fee until after you confirm. LADWP's website shows the fee before you complete the transaction, so read that screen carefully. If you want to avoid fees, use a debit card, bank account, or bank bill pay instead.

Do not assume a payment went through just because you received a confirmation number. Log back into your account a few days later to confirm the payment posted and your balance updated. If it did not post by the time you expect, contact LADWP to investigate.

What happens if your payment is late

LADWP charges a late fee if your payment does not post by the due date on your bill. The fee amount depends on your bill total but is typically a percentage of the unpaid balance. Late fees are added to your next bill.

If your service is disconnected due to non-payment, you will need to pay the full past-due amount plus a reconnection fee to restore service. Reconnection can take one to two business days. To avoid this, pay as soon as you receive your bill or set up automatic payments so you never have to think about the due date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my LADWP bill online?

There is no fee if you pay with a debit card or bank account. Credit card payments may carry a processing fee of 2 to 3 percent, which LADWP shows you before you confirm. Bank bill pay through your own bank also costs nothing.

How long does it take for my online payment to show up?

Payments made with a debit or credit card post within one to two business days. Payments from your bank account (whether through LADWP's direct debit or your bank's bill pay) take three to five business days. Plan ahead so your payment posts before the due date.

Can I schedule a payment for a future date?

Yes. On the LADWP website, mobile app, or by phone, you can enter a date in the future when you want the payment to go through. The payment will process on that date, so remember to account for one to three business days of processing time before the due date.

What if I do not have a credit or debit card?

You can set up automatic payments through your bank's bill pay service, which sends a check or electronic payment from your bank account. You can also call LADWP at 1-800-342-5397 to discuss other payment methods or visit a payment center in person.

Can I pay someone else's LADWP bill online?

You can pay a bill if you have the account number and service address, but LADWP's system does not require you to prove you are the account holder. If you regularly pay someone else's bill, ask them to add you as an authorized user on the account so you receive bills and payment reminders.