Paying your water bill in Detroit is easy and convenient with the variety of payment options offered by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD). As a Detroit resident, it’s important to pay your water bill on time each month to avoid any service disruptions. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through all the ways you can pay your Detroit water bill.
Register for an Online Account
The easiest way to pay your water bill in Detroit is to set up an online account on the DWSD Customer Portal With an online account, you can
- View your current and past water bills
- Check your account balance and due date
- Make one-time payments
- Set up recurring auto-pay
- Enter into payment arrangements if needed
- Monitor your water usage and compare to previous months
To register, just head to the DWSD Customer Portal and click “Register.” You’ll need to provide some basic information like your account number, name, and email address. The whole process only takes a few minutes.
Once your account is created, you’ll have 24/7 access to manage your water bill payments. You can also enable text and email reminders for upcoming due dates so you never miss a payment.
Pay at Convenient Pay Stations
If you prefer to pay your water bill in person with cash or card, DWSD has set up 50+ pay stations across Detroit for quick and easy payments. These self-service kiosks accept cash, checks, and debit/credit cards.
To find a pay station near you, visit the DWSD website and click on “Find Pay Station Locations.” Simply enter your zip code and a list of nearby stations will appear. Payments made at kiosks will post to your account immediately.
Pay by Phone
You can also pay your Detroit water bill over the phone in just a few quick steps:
- Call 313-267-8000 to access the automated payment system
- Enter your 10-digit account number
- Select the option to make a payment
- Follow the prompts to enter your payment information
- You can pay with debit/credit card or checking account
- Your payment will process instantly
The phone payment system is available 24/7 and allows you to check your balance or make a payment at any time
Pay by Mail
If you would like to mail in a payment, you can send a check or money order payable to:
Board of Water Commissioners
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
P.O. Box 554899
Detroit, MI 48255-4899
Be sure to include your DWSD account number on the check or money order. Allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to process.
Payment Arrangements
If you are struggling to pay your water bill in full, DWSD offers payment arrangements. You can set up a payment plan to break your balance into multiple smaller payments over several months.
To enter into a payment arrangement:
- Log into your online account and select “Payment Arrangement”
- Call 313-267-8000 and speak with a customer service agent
- Visit a DWSD Customer Service Center in person
As long as you stick to the agreed upon payment schedule, your water service will not be disrupted. Payment arrangements give Detroit residents flexibility when faced with a large utility bill.
Assistance Programs
DWSD also offers financial assistance programs to help qualifying low-income households pay their water bills. These assistance programs include:
- The Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP), which provides bill payment assistance
- The 10/30/50 Plan, which discounts water bills by 10%, 30% or 50% based on income
- The Water Access Volunteer Effort (WAVE) Fund, which provides emergency bill payment assistance
To find out if you qualify for a low-income assistance program, contact DWSD customer service. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you are struggling financially.
Avoid Service Disruptions
As long as you pay the amount due on your water bill by the due date each month, you can avoid any service disruptions. If your account becomes past due, DWSD will issue a shutoff notice giving you additional time to make a payment.
If you receive a shutoff notice, immediately:
- Pay the past due amount online, by phone or at a pay station
- Set up a payment arrangement if you can’t pay in full
- Apply for financial assistance if eligible
Act quickly when you receive a shutoff notice to prevent your water from being disconnected. Having your service restored after a shutoff incurs additional fees.
Detroit offers water customers many flexible options for paying utility bills. With the DWSD Customer Portal, pay stations, phone payments and mail, paying your water bill requires minimal time and effort. Reach out for assistance programs if needed. And be sure to pay your bill in full each month by the due date to avoid any disruptions to your essential water service. Detroit’s streamlined payment process makes managing your water account stress-free.

Detroit looks to help collect unpaid water bills with new program at just $10 down
How do I pay my water bill in Detroit?
Visit one of the more than 50 no-fee kiosks in and around Detroit and use cash, check or debit/credit card to pay your bill. Find your nearby kiosk. Call our automated pay-by-phone system at (313) 267-8000. Send your payment by mail with check or money order payable to the “Board of Water Commissioners.”
Can Detroiters pay past-due water balances?
DETROIT (WXYZ) — In an effort to help Detroiters pay their past-due balances on their water, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has implemented a brand-new program that goes into effect Tuesday starting with just $10 down.
Does Detroit Water & Sewerage Department disclose PII?
City of Detroit Water & Sewerage Department and CityInsight will not intentionally disclose any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of its web users unless otherwise required by law.