How to Pay Your City of Atlanta Water Bill: Complete Local Guide

Paying your City of Atlanta water bill is straightforward once you know your options and where everything is located. Whether you live in Atlanta full-time, own property in the city, or are managing a rental or business account, this guide walks you through how water billing works here and how to stay on top of your payments.

Understanding Your City of Atlanta Water Bill

Water service in Atlanta is handled by the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. Your bill usually covers:

• Water usage
• Sewer charges
• Stormwater fees
• Service and administrative fees (if applicable)

Key items to check on your bill:

• Account number – You’ll need this to pay online, by phone, or in person.
• Service address – The property where water is being used.
• Bill date and due date – Payments after the due date can trigger late fees.
• Current charges and past-due balance – Important if you’re catching up on late bills.

👉 Tip: Keep a copy or photo of a recent bill handy when setting up online access or calling customer service.

Main Ways to Pay a City of Atlanta Water Bill

You have several ways to pay your Atlanta water and sewer bill:

• Online
• By phone
• By mail
• In person
• Through your bank’s bill-pay system

Here’s a quick overview:

Pay Your Atlanta Water Bill Online

Paying online is the most convenient option for many Atlanta residents.

Step-by-step overview

1. Find your account number
   It’s printed near the top of your water bill.

2. Go to the City of Atlanta water billing portal
   Search for terms like “City of Atlanta water bill pay” to reach the official site. Avoid lookalike payment sites that are not run by the City.

3. Create or log in to your account
   You’ll typically provide:

   • Name
   • Email address
   • Account number
   • Service address or ZIP code

4. Add a payment method
   Common options:

   • Credit card
   • Debit card
   • Electronic check (bank routing and account number)

5. Submit your payment
   Double-check:

   • Amount
   • Account number
   • Payment date (if scheduling in advance)

6. Save your confirmation
   Take a screenshot or note the confirmation number in case you need proof of payment.

Set up automatic payments

Many Atlanta water customers choose auto-pay so the bill is paid on time every month.

You can typically:

• Enroll in recurring payments through the online portal
• Choose a set date each month (for example, 2 days before your due date)
• Use a checking account or card on file

Auto-pay helps you avoid late fees and potential service interruptions, especially if you travel frequently or manage multiple properties.

Pay Your City of Atlanta Water Bill by Phone

If you prefer to pay by phone or don’t have easy internet access, the City provides an automated phone payment system.

• Look on the front of your water bill for the official payment phone number.
• When you call, have ready:
  • Your water account number
  • The last 4 digits of the account holder’s ID (if requested)
  • Your card or bank info

The phone system usually accepts credit cards, debit cards, or electronic checks, and you’ll hear a confirmation number after paying. Write it down and keep it with your bill.

Pay by Mail in Atlanta

You can still pay your water bill by mailing a check or money order.

What to include

• Check or money order payable to the City of Atlanta (or the exact payee listed on your bill)
• Your water account number written clearly on the memo line
• The remittance slip or payment coupon from the bottom of your bill, if available

Mailing address

Use the mailing address printed on your current water bill. This is usually a payment processing center address (not the same as the customer service office). Mailing addresses can change, so always follow what’s on your most recent statement.

💡 Allow extra time: Mail can take several days to arrive and be processed. Try to mail your payment at least a week before the due date.

Pay In Person in Atlanta

Paying in person can be helpful if you:

• Want to pay with cash
• Need help understanding your bill
• Are trying to resolve a past-due account or service interruption

Where to go

The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management offers in-person payment options at city offices or customer service centers. Locations and hours can change, so:

• Check your bill for any listed walk-in payment centers
• Call customer service before you go to confirm hours, accepted payment types, and exact address

Many residents use:

• City Hall / Watershed customer service areas in downtown Atlanta
• Designated neighborhood payment centers when available

Typical in-person payment methods:

• Cash
• Money order
• Debit/credit card
• Check (sometimes with ID)

Ask staff for a printed receipt once you pay.

Using Your Bank’s Online Bill Pay

Most major banks in Atlanta (and national banks with branches here) offer online bill-pay services.

How it works:

1. Log in to your online banking or mobile app.
2. Choose “Add a payee”.
3. Search for or enter “City of Atlanta Water” or the exact payee name and address from your bill.
4. Enter your water account number exactly as shown.
5. Set up:
   • A one-time payment, or
   • Recurring monthly payments

Your bank may either transfer funds electronically or mail a physical check to the City’s processing address. This can take 2–7 business days, so schedule payments with enough lead time.

Reading and Managing Your Atlanta Water Bill

Understanding your bill helps you avoid surprises and spot issues early.

Common line items

• Water usage (in gallons or cubic feet)
• Sewer service charge
• Stormwater fee
• Base or service fee
• Previous balance / past due
• Late fees (if applicable)

If your bill seems unusually high:

1. Compare it to previous months.
2. Check for:
   • Leaky toilets or faucets
   • Irrigation systems running longer than usual
   • Any recent plumbing repairs
3. Contact the Watershed Management customer service number listed on your bill to ask about:
   • Reading errors
   • Meter re-checks
   • Possible leak adjustments, if you’ve repaired a documented leak

What Happens If You Pay Late in Atlanta?

The City of Atlanta may apply:

• Late fees when a bill is not paid by the due date
• Past-due notices mailed or delivered to your address
• Service interruption (shutoff) if the account remains unpaid for a certain period

If you’ve fallen behind:

1. Don’t ignore notices. Call customer service as soon as possible.
2. Ask about:
   • Payment arrangements or installment plans
   • Deadlines to avoid shutoff
3. If your water is already disconnected:
   • Pay the required amount (often the full past-due balance plus any reconnection fees)
   • Provide proof of payment if requested
   • Confirm how long it will take to restore service

Keeping a record of calls, names of representatives, and confirmation numbers can make any disputes easier to resolve.

New Accounts, Moving, and Closing Service in Atlanta

Starting water service

If you’re moving into Atlanta or starting service at a new address:

• You’ll usually need to set up an account with the Department of Watershed Management.
• Be prepared to provide:
  • Name and contact information
  • Service address
  • Move-in date
  • Proof of residency or ownership (lease, deed, or similar)
  • Possibly a deposit, depending on your situation

You can often start this process:

• Online through the water services portal
• By phone, using the customer service number listed on the City’s website or your property paperwork
• In person at a Watershed customer service office

Closing or transferring service

If you’re moving out of Atlanta or to a different address in the city:

• Contact Watershed Management before your move-out date.
• Request:
  • Final meter reading
  • Final bill
  • Shutoff or transfer of service to your new address

Make sure the City has your forwarding address so you receive any final bill or deposit refund.

Help with High Bills or Payment Difficulty

If you’re struggling to pay your City of Atlanta water bill:

• Call customer service and explain your situation early.
• Ask about:
  • Payment plans to spread past-due balances over time
  • Any hardship programs or assistance referrals that may be available in the Atlanta area

Community organizations, neighborhood nonprofits, or local assistance agencies in Atlanta sometimes help residents with utility bills, especially during emergencies or extreme weather. They typically require:

• A copy of your water bill
• Proof of income or financial hardship
• ID and proof of Atlanta residency

Checking with local resource centers, City hotlines, or neighborhood organizations can point you toward possible support.

Quick Checklist for Paying a City of Atlanta Water Bill

Use this as a fast reference:

• ✅ Have your water account number ready
• ✅ Decide how to pay: online, phone, mail, in person, or bank bill pay
• ✅ Use the official payment portal, phone number, or address from your bill
• ✅ Pay before the due date to avoid late fees
• ✅ Save confirmation numbers and receipts
• ✅ If you can’t pay in full, contact the City early to discuss options

Staying organized with your Atlanta water bill—knowing your payment options, due dates, and where to get help—can prevent interruptions and keep your household or business running smoothly.