Paying your water bill in Howard County is easy when you know the different options available. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the step-by-step process for paying your Howard County water bill online, by phone, mail or in person.
Overview of Howard County Water Billing
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Water and sewer bills are issued quarterly by Howard County.
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Bills are based on metered water usage. Charges include a water account user fee based on meter size, a flat sewer account charge, and the metered water/sewer usage multiplied by the current rates.
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The water account and sewer account charges are billed quarterly even if there is no water usage
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Property owners are responsible for payment even if not living on the property. Howard County does not pro-rate bills between buyers/sellers or landlords/tenants.
Payment Options
Howard County offers several convenient payment options:
Pay Online
The easiest way to pay is online through the Howard County Utilli customer portal Here’s how
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Visit Howard County Utilli and either sign in to your account or register for a new account.
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Click on “Pay Bill” and select your water/sewer account.
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Enter your payment details and submit.
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Payments can be made by credit card or e-check with no convenience fees.
Pay by Phone
Call 1-800-263-1923 to pay over the phone using the automated system. You’ll need your account number and ZIP code.
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Payments can be made by credit card.
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No convenience fees apply.
Pay by Mail
Send a check or money order using the payment stub and envelope included with your printed bill.
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Mail to: Howard County Department of Finance, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043
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Payments must be received by the due date to avoid late fees.
Pay In Person
Bring payment to the cashier’s office at the Howard County Department of Finance:
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3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043
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You can also use the drop box outside, but payments must be deposited before 8:30am to be collected that day.
Avoid Late Fees
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Bills allow 30 days for payment.
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A 10% late fee applies if payment is not received by the due date.
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Past due notices are issued for unpaid bills. Failure to pay past due charges will result in water service shut off.
Financial Assistance Programs
Howard County offers two programs to help customers who are having difficulty paying their water bill:
H2O Help to Others
This program connects residents who need bill payment assistance with residents who want to donate.
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Donors can round up their payment to the nearest dollar or make one-time donations.
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Those seeking assistance must verify need through the non-profit Family and Children’s Services.
Bay Restoration Fee Hardship Exemption
Low income homeowners and renters can apply to be exempt from the State Bay Restoration Fee levied on all accounts.
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Homeowners must meet requirements and apply using the county form.
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Renters have a separate application.
Managing Your Water Account
Use the Howard County Utilli portal to take control of your water account management:
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View consumption and billing history
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Sign up for paperless billing and automatic payments
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Update account and contact information
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Monitor water use with meter readings
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Enroll in payment assistance programs
Changes to Account Address
Notify the Water Billing Division of any address changes to ensure you receive your bill.
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The account number stays with the property address.
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Bills are not forwarded by the postal service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my bill so high?
- Charges are based on metered water usage from the public system. Higher usage means higher bills.
What if I have a leak?
- The county may adjust sewer charges if an underground leak occurs, is repaired, and verified by inspection.
How can I get a final bill?
- The county does not provide final bills. Charges constitute a lien on the property and are pro-rated at settlement between buyers/sellers.
Who do I contact with billing questions?
- Contact the Water and Sewer Billing Division at 410-313-2058.
How do I apply for direct debit?
- Call 410-313-2058 or complete the application form and submit with a voided check.
Pay Your Howard County Water Bill Today
Paying your Howard County water bill is quick and easy using one of the convenient options. Sign up for the Utilli portal to monitor usage and access billing history. Avoid late fees by paying on time using online, phone, mail or in-person payment methods. And assistance programs are available if you need help with your bill.
Frequently Asked Questions Title
The Water and Sewer Billing Division handles billing questions. They can be reached at 410-313-2058. Title
I’m using a hose to fill my pool, how much will my bill be? Content
The calculation to estimate your water bill is as follows:
Divide the number of gallons used to fill the pool by 748*
Multiply the result times the current water and sewer rates
*This is the number of gallons in one unit of consumption Title
