Where to send your Anne Arundel County water payment
Anne Arundel County Office of Water and Wastewater (AACO) accepts payments through three main routes: online through their website, by phone, or by mail. The online portal is the fastest way to set up a one-time payment or recurring automatic payments. You can access it at the AACO website without creating an account for a single payment, though an account lets you track your bill history and set up autopay.
If you prefer to pay by phone, call the AACO customer service line during business hours. They can process your payment over the phone using a debit or credit card. For mail payments, write your account number on the check or money order and send it to the address printed on your bill — this typically takes 7 to 10 business days to post to your account, so mail early if your due date is approaching.
Automatic bank draft (ACH) is also available and removes the risk of a late payment. You authorize AACO to withdraw the amount directly from your checking account on a date you choose, usually around your bill due date. Set this up through the online portal or by calling customer service.
Key Takeaways
- AACO accepts online payments, phone payments, mail payments, and automatic bank draft, with online being the fastest option.
- Your account number appears on your bill and is required for any payment method except online autopay through their portal.
- Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach your account, so do not rely on mail if your due date is within two weeks.
- Setting up automatic bank draft prevents missed payments and requires only a one-time authorization through the website or phone.
- Late fees apply if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill, regardless of when you submitted it.
Reading your AACO water bill to find what you owe
Your AACO bill shows your account number, service address, and billing period at the top. Below that, you will see separate charges for water usage, wastewater treatment, and any other services like stormwater fees. The bill lists your current charges, any balance carried forward from the previous month, and the total amount due.
The due date is printed clearly on the front of the bill, usually 20 to 30 days from the bill date. If you pay after this date, a late fee is added to your next bill. Some bills also show your usage in gallons or hundred-cubic-foot units (HCF), which helps you understand whether your consumption changed from the previous month.
If you see charges you do not recognize or believe your meter reading is wrong, contact AACO customer service before paying. They can review your account and explain any unusual charges. Paying a bill you dispute does not prevent you from requesting an investigation later, but calling first can sometimes resolve the issue faster.
Setting up autopay to avoid late payments
Autopay removes the need to remember your due date each month. Through the AACO online portal, you can authorize automatic withdrawal from your bank account on a date you select. Most customers choose a date shortly after they receive their paycheck or a few days before the due date, whichever fits their budget better.
Once autopay is active, AACO withdraws the full bill amount each month unless you manually change or pause it. If your bill amount varies significantly (for example, higher in summer due to outdoor watering), you can adjust the autopay amount or switch to manual payments for that month. You can cancel autopay at any time through the portal or by calling customer service.
Autopay typically takes one to two billing cycles to activate after you set it up, so do not assume it is running immediately. Make a note of the activation date and monitor your first withdrawal to confirm it worked. If the withdrawal fails due to insufficient funds or a closed account, AACO will notify you, and you will need to pay manually or update your bank information.
What to do if you cannot pay your full bill on time
If you know you cannot pay by the due date, contact AACO customer service before the date arrives. They may offer a payment plan that lets you split your bill into smaller amounts over several weeks or months. Payment plans vary depending on the amount owed and your account history, so there is no may provide one will be offered, but asking early improves your chances.
Late fees are added to bills that are not paid by the due date, and your service can be shut off if the account falls far enough behind. The exact threshold for shutoff varies, but AACO typically sends multiple notices before disconnecting service. If your service is shut off, you will owe a reconnection fee in addition to the unpaid balance and late fees.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, ask AACO about any hardship programs or bill assistance resources they may know about. Some counties have emergency funds or nonprofit organizations that help with utility bills, though availability and may be able to access vary. Getting ahead of the problem is always cheaper than dealing with late fees and reconnection costs.
Common reasons AACO payments fail or are delayed
Online payments sometimes fail silently — the page appears to process your payment, but the transaction never reaches AACO's system. This usually happens when your browser times out or your internet connection drops during submission. Always check your bank account and AACO's online portal within 24 hours to confirm the payment posted. If it did not, try again or call customer service to pay by phone.
Mail payments are delayed by postal service delays, not AACO. A check mailed on the due date will almost certainly arrive late and trigger a late fee. Mail your payment at least 10 business days before the due date, or use online or phone payment instead. If you must mail a payment, send it certified mail so you have proof of the mailing date.
Automatic bank draft failures occur when your bank account does not have enough funds on the withdrawal date or your account information is outdated. AACO will attempt the withdrawal once; if it fails, you will receive a notice and must pay manually. Update your bank information through the portal if your account number or routing number changes.
Paying a bill for a property you no longer own or rent
If you receive an AACO bill for a property you no longer live at, contact AACO immediately with your move-out date and the new occupant's name if you know it. Do not ignore the bill — you remain responsible for charges through your move-out date, and the new resident is responsible for charges after that date. AACO will transfer the account once they receive a request from the new occupant or property owner.
If you moved out but the bill is still in your name months later, call AACO to request a final meter reading and account closure. Provide your forwarding address so any refund of overpayment is sent to you. If the new occupant has not set up an account in their name, AACO may continue billing you until they do, so follow up if the bills do not stop after a reasonable time.
For rental properties, the landlord is typically responsible for water bills unless the lease states otherwise. If you are a tenant and received a bill in your name, confirm with your landlord who is supposed to pay. If the landlord is responsible but has not paid, the water can be shut off even if you are current on rent, so address this quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my AACO water bill with a credit card?
Yes, AACO accepts credit and debit cards for online and phone payments. Some payment processors charge a small convenience fee for credit card transactions, so check the fee before you complete the payment. Automatic bank draft (ACH) has no fee and is the cheapest option if you pay the same amount each month.
What happens if I pay late?
A late fee is added to your next bill if payment is not received by the due date. If your account falls significantly behind, AACO will send notices warning of service shutoff. Water service can be disconnected, and you will owe a reconnection fee plus the unpaid balance and all late fees to restore service.
How do I know if my payment was received?
Log into your AACO online account within 24 hours of paying to see if the payment posted. Your account will show the payment date and amount. If you paid by mail or phone and do not see it within three business days, call customer service to confirm it was received.
Can I change my due date?
AACO does not typically allow customers to change their billing due date, as bills are generated on a fixed schedule. However, if you set up autopay, you can choose the withdrawal date within a window around your due date, which gives you some flexibility in when the money leaves your account.
What if my water bill seems too high?
Contact AACO to request a meter reading verification or leak investigation. A sudden spike in your bill often indicates a leak in your home's plumbing. AACO can confirm whether the meter is reading correctly and may offer guidance on finding and fixing leaks. Do not delay — a small leak can waste thousands of gallons and cost hundreds of dollars.