Pay your Prince William water bill through the city's online portal, by phone, or by mail
Prince William County residents can pay their water and sewer bill through several methods, each with different timing and requirements. The fastest route is the online payment portal on the Prince William County website, which processes payments immediately and lets you set up automatic recurring payments. You can also pay by phone, mail, or in person at the county office.
Your bill arrives monthly and shows your water usage, sewer charges, and any stormwater fees. The due date is printed on the front of your bill — typically 20 days from the bill date. Paying after the due date triggers a late fee, and non-payment can result in service disconnection after 30 days of non-payment.
Key Takeaways
- The Prince William County online portal is the fastest payment method and allows you to pay immediately without waiting for mail processing.
- Automatic payments through the portal prevent missed due dates and late fees, and you can change or cancel them anytime.
- Phone payments are processed the same day you call, but you will need your account number and a credit or debit card ready.
- Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach the county, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid late fees.
- Your bill shows your account number in the top right corner — you need this number for any payment method except online portal login.
Paying online through the Prince William County portal
Log in to the Prince William County utilities payment portal using your account number and the PIN or password you created during registration. If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one by visiting the county website and selecting "Create Account" — you will need your account number and the service address to set up access.
Once logged in, select your property, review the amount due, and choose your payment date. You can pay immediately or schedule a payment for a future date. The portal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers. Credit and debit card payments process instantly, while bank transfers may take one business day.
To set up automatic payments, go to "Autopay" in your account settings and choose how often you want payments to occur — monthly on a date you select is the most common choice. You can modify or cancel automatic payments anytime through the same menu.
Paying by phone or in person
Call the Prince William County Utilities Department at the phone number listed on your bill to pay by phone. Have your account number and a credit or debit card ready. The representative will process your payment immediately and provide a confirmation number — write this down for your records.
You can also pay in person at the Prince William County Utilities office during business hours. Bring your bill or account number and payment method. In-person payments are processed the same day, and you receive a receipt immediately.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order payable to "Prince William County" and mail it to the address shown on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and be processed, 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 paying multiple bills at once, send them in one envelope to the same address.
Understanding your bill and due dates
Your Prince William water bill shows your account number in the top right corner, your service address, and the billing period covered. The bill lists water usage in gallons, sewer charges based on water usage, and any stormwater fees. The total amount due and the due date appear prominently on the front of the bill.
The due date is typically 20 days after the bill date. If you pay after this date, a late fee is added to your next bill. If your account remains unpaid for 30 days past the due date, the county may issue a notice of intent to disconnect service.
What happens if you miss a payment
A late fee is added to your account if payment arrives after the due date. The amount of the late fee is shown on your next bill. You can still pay the overdue amount plus the late fee through any of the payment methods listed above.
If your account is unpaid for 30 days, Prince William County sends a notice of intent to disconnect. This notice gives you a window to pay before service is shut off. Contact the Utilities Department immediately if you receive this notice — they can discuss payment arrangements or hardship options depending on your situation.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid late fees
Automatic payments are the easiest way to ensure your bill is paid on time every month. Through the online portal, you can set up recurring payments to occur on a date you choose — many people select the due date or a few days before. The payment processes automatically from your bank account or card each month.
You remain in control: you can pause, change the amount, or cancel automatic payments anytime through your online account. If your bill amount changes significantly one month, you can make a one-time adjustment before the automatic payment processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Prince William water bill with a credit card?
Yes, the online portal and phone payment both accept credit cards. Be aware that credit card payments may include a processing fee, which the county will disclose before you complete the transaction. Debit cards and bank transfers typically have no additional fee.
What if I pay online but my payment doesn't show up on my account?
Online payments process immediately, but it may take one business day for the payment to appear in your account history. If more than one business day has passed and you do not see the payment, call the Utilities Department with your confirmation number from the online portal.
Can I change my automatic payment date if it falls on a weekend?
Yes, you can select any date you want for automatic payments through the online portal. If you choose a weekend date, the payment will process on the next business day. You can change this date anytime in your account settings.
What should I do if I think my bill is wrong?
Contact the Prince William County Utilities Department to dispute the amount. Have your bill and account number ready. They can review your meter reading and usage history. You should still pay the undisputed portion by the due date to avoid late fees while the dispute is being reviewed.
Is there a way to pay less if I'm having trouble affording my water bill?
Prince William County offers a Customer Assistance Program for households that meet income requirements. Contact the Utilities Department to learn about the program and what documentation you need to provide. This is separate from payment methods — it addresses the bill amount itself.