Where to send your Honolulu water payment

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) accepts payments through several channels, and the method you choose depends on how quickly you want to pay and whether you prefer online, phone, or mail. You can pay online at the BWS website without creating an account, by phone through their automated system, by mail to their lockbox address, or in person at their office.

Online payment through the BWS website is the fastest option and posts to your account within one business day. Phone payments also process quickly and let you speak with a representative if you have questions about your bill. Mail payments take longer — typically 7 to 10 business days — so send them well before your due date to avoid a late fee.

Key Takeaways

  • The Honolulu Board of Water Supply accepts online payments, phone payments, mail payments, and in-person payments at their office on King Street.
  • Your bill shows a due date, and payments made after that date trigger a late fee, even if you mailed the check on time.
  • Online and phone payments post within one business day, while mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach the lockbox.
  • If you set up automatic payments through your bank, the BWS will not charge you a convenience fee, unlike third-party payment processors.
  • Your account number appears on your bill and is required for all payment methods except in-person payments with your bill in hand.

Online payment without an account

Visit the Honolulu Board of Water Supply website and look for the "Pay Your Bill" or "Make a Payment" link on the homepage. You do not need to log in or create an account. Enter your account number (found on your bill), the amount you want to pay, and your payment method — debit card, credit card, or bank account.

The system will ask for your name, address, and email. After you submit the payment, you will receive a confirmation number. The payment posts to your account the next business day. Keep the confirmation number in case you need to dispute the transaction or verify payment later.

Paying by phone or automatic bank transfer

Call the Honolulu Board of Water Supply at their main number to reach their automated phone payment system. You will need your account number and your payment method ready. The system accepts debit cards and credit cards. If you prefer to speak with a representative, stay on the line after entering your account number, and you can ask questions about your bill while making the payment.

Automatic bank transfers (also called automatic bill pay) are the most hands-off option. You can set this up through your own bank's bill pay service at no charge to you. The BWS does not charge a convenience fee for bank transfers, unlike credit card or debit card payments made through their website or phone line. Contact your bank to add the Honolulu Board of Water Supply as a payee, and your bank will mail the payment or transfer it electronically on the schedule you choose.

Mailing a check or paying in person

If you pay by mail, write your account number on the check and send it to the lockbox address printed on your bill. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account, so send your payment at least two weeks before the due date to avoid a late fee. The due date is shown on your bill, and the BWS charges a late fee if payment is not received by that date — the postmark date does not matter.

In-person payments can be made at the Honolulu Board of Water Supply office located on King Street in downtown Honolulu during business hours. Bring your bill or your account number and the payment amount in cash, check, or card. In-person payments post to your account the same day or the next business day.

Understanding your bill due date and late fees

Your Honolulu water bill shows a specific due date, usually 20 to 25 days after the bill is issued. The BWS considers a payment late if it is not received by 5 p.m. on the due date, regardless of when you mailed it. A late fee is added to your account if payment arrives after that deadline.

If you are unable to pay by the due date, contact the Honolulu Board of Water Supply before the date passes. They may be able to discuss a payment arrangement or extension depending on your situation. Ignoring a late payment can result in service disconnection after a certain period, so reaching out early is better than waiting.

What to do if your payment does not post

If you made a payment online or by phone and do not see it on your account within two business days, log into your account or call the BWS to check the status. Have your confirmation number ready if you paid online. The representative can tell you whether the payment is still processing or if there was an error.

For mailed checks, allow the full 7 to 10 business days before contacting the BWS. If more than two weeks have passed since you mailed the check and it still has not posted, call the BWS with the check number and amount. They can research whether the payment was received and help you stop payment on the check if it was lost in the mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Honolulu Board of Water Supply charge a fee to pay online?

No fee is charged if you pay directly through the BWS website using a bank account transfer. Credit card and debit card payments made through their website or phone line may include a convenience fee — check the payment screen before you confirm. Bank transfers set up through your own bank's bill pay service are always free.

Can I pay someone else's water bill if I have their account number?

Yes. You can pay online or by phone using someone else's account number. You do not need to be the account holder. If you pay in person, bring the bill or account number and the payment amount. Online and phone payments will ask for your name and contact information, not the account holder's.

What happens if I miss the due date?

A late fee is added to your account. If you continue to miss payments, the BWS may disconnect your water service after a notice period. Contact them immediately if you cannot pay on time — they may offer a payment plan or extension to help you avoid disconnection.

How do I know if my online payment went through?

You will receive a confirmation number on the screen immediately after submitting the payment. Write it down or take a screenshot. The payment posts within one business day. You can also log into your account on the BWS website to see your payment history and current balance.

Can I set up automatic payments so I never miss a due date?

Yes. Set up automatic bill pay through your bank at no charge, or contact the Honolulu Board of Water Supply to ask about their automatic payment program. Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date and late fees.