PAWC bill pay lets you settle your water and sewer charges through Pennsylvania American Water's website or phone system instead of mailing a check

Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) serves water and sewer customers across multiple regions of the state. You can pay your bill online through their website, by phone, or by mail — and setting up online payment takes about five minutes. The system accepts one-time payments and recurring automatic payments, so you can choose what works for your household.

Most customers find online payment faster than writing a check, and you get an immediate confirmation number. If you have questions about your bill itself — the charges, your usage, or why your bill changed — that is separate from payment and covered in your bill documents or by calling customer service.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay PAWC bills online at their website, by phone, or by setting up automatic monthly payments from your bank account.
  • One-time online payments process immediately and give you a confirmation number you should save.
  • Automatic payments withdraw money on the date your bill is due each month, so you need to know your due date first.
  • If you cannot pay your full bill, contact PAWC directly about payment plans or hardship programs before your account falls behind.
  • Your account number appears on your bill and you will need it to pay online or by phone.

Paying online through the PAWC website

Go to the Pennsylvania American Water website and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Customer Service" section. You will need your account number, which is printed on your bill statement. Enter that number and your zip code to pull up your account, then select the amount you want to pay and your payment method.

PAWC accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers. If you use a credit card or debit card, the payment posts immediately, though the card company may take a day or two to show the charge. Bank transfers also process the same day. Write down or screenshot your confirmation number — you will need it if you ever need to prove you paid.

Setting up automatic monthly payments

Automatic payment means PAWC withdraws your bill amount from your bank account on the due date each month. This works only if you pay the same amount every month, which most residential customers do. Log into your account on the PAWC website, find the "Autopay" or "Automatic Payment" option, and enter your bank account number and routing number.

You can change or cancel automatic payment anytime through your online account. If your bill amount changes significantly — because you moved, your household size changed, or seasonal usage shifted — you may want to switch back to one-time payments until the new amount stabilizes. PAWC will send you a bill each month even if you have automatic payment turned on, so you can still check that the charge is correct.

Paying by phone

Call Pennsylvania American Water's customer service number, which is on your bill. Have your account number ready. A representative will tell you your current balance and due date, then walk you through payment by phone. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or bank account information.

Phone payments process the same day. The representative will give you a confirmation number — ask them to repeat it and write it down. If you call after hours, some utilities offer an automated phone payment system that lets you enter your payment information without speaking to anyone.

What to do if you cannot pay the full amount

If your bill is more than you can pay right now, call PAWC customer service before your account becomes past due. Many water utilities offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over several months. Some also have hardship programs for customers facing financial difficulty, though these vary by region and are not automatic — you have to ask.

Falling behind on water bills can result in service shutoff, and reconnection fees add to what you owe. Calling early to discuss a plan is always cheaper than waiting. Keep records of any conversation you have about a payment plan, including the name of the person you spoke with and the date.

Understanding your bill and account number

Your PAWC bill shows your account number in the top right or left corner — it is usually a 7 to 10 digit number. The bill also shows your service address, current charges, any balance from the previous month, and your due date. The due date is when PAWC expects payment; paying after that date may trigger a late fee.

Your bill also breaks down charges into water service, sewer service, and any other fees. If you see a charge you do not recognize or think your usage is unusually high, contact PAWC customer service to discuss it. That conversation is separate from payment — you can ask questions about your bill without paying it immediately.

Keeping your payment information safe

When you pay online, make sure you are on the official PAWC website, not a lookalike site. Check that the web address starts with "https://" (the "s" means secure) and look for a padlock icon in your browser. Never share your account number, PIN, or bank information through email or text message, even if someone claims to be from PAWC.

If you set up automatic payments, review your bank or credit card statement each month to confirm the charge is correct. If you see a payment you did not authorize, contact your bank or card company right away. Keep your confirmation numbers from each payment for at least a year in case you need to prove you paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I pay online but my bill still shows as past due?

Online payments usually post the same day, but it can take 24 to 48 hours for PAWC's system to update. Check your confirmation number and wait a day, then log back in to see if the payment has cleared. If it still shows past due after two days, call customer service with your confirmation number.

Can I pay someone else's PAWC bill?

Yes, if you have their account number. You can pay online or by phone without being the account holder. However, if you want to set up automatic payments or make changes to the account, you will need to be listed as an authorized user, which requires the account holder's permission.

Is there a fee to pay my bill online?

PAWC does not charge a fee for paying through their website or by phone. Some third-party payment processors may charge a small fee if you use them, but paying directly through PAWC's system is free.

What happens if I miss my due date?

PAWC typically adds a late fee to your next bill if payment arrives after the due date. If you are more than 30 to 60 days late (the exact number varies by region), your service may be at risk of shutoff. Contact PAWC immediately if you think you will miss a due date.

Can I change my automatic payment date?

Most utilities let you choose the date automatic payments withdraw from your account, as long as it is on or after your bill due date. Log into your PAWC account online to change the date, or call customer service to do it over the phone.