Pay your Houston water bill through houstonwater.org or by mail
Houston Water operates the city's water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. You can pay your bill online at houstonwater.org, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The online portal is the fastest route — it processes immediately and you can set up automatic payments so you never miss a due date.
Your bill arrives monthly and shows your account number, the amount due, and the due date (usually around the 20th of the month). Late payments trigger a 1.5% penalty on top of what you owe, so knowing where and how to pay matters.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online at houstonwater.org using your account number, which appears on your bill or in your account login.
- Automatic payments through houstonwater.org remove the risk of late fees and work from any checking or savings account.
- Mail payments to the address on your bill and allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to post to your account.
- Phone payments and in-person payments at Houston Water offices are available but take longer to process than online payment.
- A 1.5% late fee applies if payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your bill.
Paying online at houstonwater.org
Go to houstonwater.org and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Bill Payment" link on the homepage. You will need your account number (a 10-digit number on your bill) and the amount you want to pay. The site accepts one-time payments and lets you set up automatic recurring payments.
One-time payments process the same day if you pay before 5 p.m. Central Time on a business day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. Credit card payments may carry a processing fee — houstonwater.org will show this fee before you confirm the payment.
If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one at houstonwater.org using your account number and service address. Once logged in, you can view your bill history, see your current balance, and set up automatic payments.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid late fees
Automatic payments withdraw money from your bank account on a date you choose, usually a few days before the due date. This removes the risk of forgetting to pay and triggering a late fee. Go to your houstonwater.org account, select "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments," and enter your bank account details.
You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your online account. If your bill amount varies significantly month to month (which is common in summer when cooling costs rise), you can set the payment to cover your average bill and adjust it manually if needed.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order payable to "City of Houston" and mail it to the address printed on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to post, so send your payment at least two weeks before the due date to avoid a late fee.
Do not send cash through the mail. If you are mailing from outside Houston, allow extra time for delivery. Your payment is considered on time if it is postmarked by the due date, even if it arrives after.
Paying by phone or in person
You can pay by phone by calling Houston Water's customer service line. The phone number appears on your bill. Have your account number and payment amount ready. Phone payments process within one business day.
In-person payments can be made at Houston Water offices during business hours. Locations and hours are listed on houstonwater.org. Bring your bill or account number and payment method (check, money order, or cash). In-person payments post the same day if made before closing time.
What happens if you miss the due date
A 1.5% late fee is added to your balance if payment does not arrive by the due date. This fee compounds — if you remain unpaid for 30 days, Houston Water may send a notice of intent to disconnect service. If you do not pay within the timeframe in that notice, your water service can be shut off.
If you are having trouble paying your bill, contact Houston Water's customer service before the due date. They can discuss payment plans or direct you to assistance programs. Waiting until after disconnection is more expensive and harder to resolve.
Finding your account number and bill information
Your account number is a 10-digit number printed on your bill, usually near the top. You will need it to pay online, by phone, or to log into your account. If you have lost your bill, you can find your account number by logging into houstonwater.org or by calling customer service.
Your bill shows the service address, the billing period, the amount due, and the due date. It also breaks down charges for water, wastewater, and stormwater services. If you have questions about specific charges, customer service can explain them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Houston Water bill with a credit card online?
Yes, houstonwater.org accepts credit cards for one-time and automatic payments. A processing fee may apply — the site shows the fee before you confirm. Using a debit card or bank account transfer avoids this fee.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up on my account?
One-time online payments process the same day if submitted before 5 p.m. Central Time on a business day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. Automatic payments post on the date you select.
What if I pay online but my service gets disconnected anyway?
Contact Houston Water immediately. If your payment was submitted before the disconnection notice deadline, it may not have posted yet. Provide proof of payment (a confirmation number or receipt) and ask them to delay disconnection while they verify the payment.
Can I set up automatic payments for a different amount each month?
Automatic payments are set to a fixed amount. If your bill varies significantly, you can set it to cover your average bill and make manual adjustments in months when the bill is higher or lower. You can also cancel automatic payments and pay manually when needed.
Is there a discount for paying the full year upfront?
Houston Water does not offer discounts for early or lump-sum payments. You pay the same rate whether you pay monthly, by automatic payment, or in advance. Paying on time simply avoids the 1.5% late fee.