The Metropolitan District charges are authorized by the Baltimore County Code 2015, Article 20 and the Executive Order.
To find out where water and sewer mains are located in relation to your property, call 410-887-2423.
The sewer service charge is an annual user fee billed on the July 1 Property Tax bill. It is assessed to recover the cost of treatment and transportation of wastewater.
Every property connected to the Metro District sewer system, which has a separate property tax identification number, will be charged based on the volume of water consumed during the prior calendar year, January 1 to December 31, as reported by Baltimore City Bureau of Water and Wastewater. Properties with private wells and properties where a master water meter serves multiple properties, such as condominiums, may be charged based on plumbing fixture rates.
This charge can only be removed upon receipt of a permit that shows the property connection to the sewer system has been capped off.
Most properties are charged based on the volume of water used. Your water bill shows the number of units used in a quarterly period. A unit equals 100 cubic feet of water, or 748 gallons. Rates vary based on the property type.
Baltimore County provides water and sewer services to residents and businesses located within the county. Customers receive monthly bills for water usage that must be paid to the City of Baltimore by the stated due date. Baltimore County offers several ways to pay your water bill conveniently.
Payment Options
There are various options to pay your Baltimore County water bill
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Online – Pay at the City of Baltimore website. Can pay by card or e-check.
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By Phone – Call 410-396-5398 to pay by automated phone system using a card.
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By Mail – Detach payment stub from paper bill and mail with check or money order.
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In Person – Pay with cash, check or money order at authorized pay stations.
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Auto Pay – Set up recurring monthly payments to be automatically drafted from your bank account.
Paying on time avoids late fees and disruption to your water service. Baltimore County aims to provide payment methods that fit every customer’s schedule and preferences.
Paying Online
The fastest and most convenient way for customers to pay their Baltimore County water bill is online through the City of Baltimore website. Here are some tips for paying online:
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First-time users must create an account using their 10-digit account number printed on their water bill.
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Returning users can simply login to access their account.
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Make one-time payments or setup recurring automated payments.
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Pay using debit card, credit card, or electronic check. A convenience fee applies to card payments.
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View water usage graphs and payment history.
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Go paperless by opting out of mailed paper bills.
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Update account information like phone number and email address.
Paying online allows 24/7 access to monitor and pay your water bill from your computer or mobile device.
Paying by Mail, Phone, or In Person
In addition to online payments, customers can pay their Baltimore County water bill by:
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Mail – Detach payment stub from paper bill and mail with check or money order to address printed on statement. Allow 5-7 days for delivery.
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Phone – Call 410-396-5398 to use the automated phone payment system. Pay with debit/credit card.
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In Person – Bring cash, check, or money order to authorized pay stations around the county.
Be sure to pay 3-5 days before the due date when mailing or using pay stations to ensure on-time delivery. Late fees apply if payment is received after the due date.
Avoid Late Fees and Shutoffs
Baltimore County charges a late fee of 1.5% on any unpaid balance if the water bill is not paid by the due date. Repeated late payments can damage credit and result in a deposit requirement.
If a water bill remains unpaid after receiving shutoff notices, water service may be disconnected. There is a $50 fee to restore service during regular hours or $150 after hours once payment is made.
Avoid late fees and potential service interruption by paying your bill in full each month before the due date. Contact the utility immediately if you expect difficulty paying on time.
Payment Plans and Assistance
If you are experiencing financial hardship and unable to pay your water bill, Baltimore County offers these options:
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Payment Arrangements – Payment plans allow customers to pay past due balances over an extended period. Call to set up installments.
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Budget Billing – Helps spread out bills evenly over the year based on average usage instead of actual monthly fluctuations.
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LIHEAP – Provides home energy assistance, including help with water bills, for low-income residents. Apply through your local agency.
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Leak Adjustment – You may qualify for an adjustment if high usage was due to an undetected household leak. Documentation required.
Contact Baltimore County immediately if struggling to pay your water bill so arrangements can be made before service is affected. There are also programs to assist seniors and low-income households.
Enroll in Auto-Pay
The most reliable way to avoid late fees and ensure on-time payment is to enroll in auto-pay through Baltimore County’s online payment system. With auto-pay:
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Your water bill is deducted from your bank account automatically each month on the due date.
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Avoid late fees, save on stamps, and eliminate the hassle of remembering to pay.
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Get email reminders before the payment is processed so you can update payment info if needed.
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Can cancel or temporarily stop auto-pay anytime through your online account.
Setting up auto-pay payments provides peace of mind knowing your water bill is paid on time every month. Customers can also go paperless to further simplify bill payment.
Keeping your Baltimore County water account active requires paying your bill in full each month by the due date. Take advantage of convenient online and automatic payment options. Contact the utility immediately if you expect any difficulty paying on time.
ELIGIBILITY FOR CHARGE ADJUSTMENTS
Depending on whether the leak is inside the dwelling or business, or outside between the meter and the structure, call Baltimore City to see if an adjustment can be made on your water bill.
For your Sewer Service charge, only leaks from water that did not go to sewer may be considered for an adjustment if repaired by a licensed plumber. Inside leaks like running toilets or dripping faucets are not eligible for an adjustment to the Sewer Service charge, because the water went through the sewer system and therefore incurred the cost of transporting it and cleaning it.
The water distribution charge is a flat annual fee billed on the July 1 Property Tax bill that provides funds for repairs and maintenance of major facilities such as pumping stations, transmission mains and storage facilities. Charges are determined by the size of the meter servicing the property. Rates vary based on the property type.
This charge begins when the water meter is applied for in the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections. It is an annual user fee and can only be removed once an application to abandon the meter has been processed by the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections.
The annual Water Distribution Charge and quarterly water bills (regarding usage) are not the same. Baltimore City sends water bills to all customers that are connected to the public water system, even if you live in Baltimore County.
If you have an inquiry about your water bill, call Baltimore City at 410-396-5398.
WELLS CONNECTED TO THE PUBLIC SEWER SYSTEM
Baltimore County charges those on well and public sewer based on the plumbing fixtures on the property. The permit that was obtained when these fixtures were installed is the basis for this charge.
Running toilets, dripping faucets or leaking pipes could be some of the causes of higher water use.
Since the water flows down the sewer, leaking toilets dont necessarily leave any signs of a leak until you get the bill. The average leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water per day. Thats over 72,000 gallons a year (over $248 on your water bill and $755 in sewer service costs for a residential customer) for just one leaking toilet. The United States Geologic Survey (USGS) provides an interesting drip calculator to help you see how much water a dripping faucet wastes.
Property owners are urged to review their quarterly water bills from Baltimore City. If your water bill starts to look higher than normal, one of these issues may be the cause. We have provided some information to help show how much water is used and some examples on how to conserve your usage.
For a family of four, the average Sewer Service charge is $1,223.00. This is based on 156 units of water used in a calendar year. A unit is based on 100 cubic feet of water or 748 gallons.
Your quarterly usage can be found on your water bill from Baltimore City.
Commercial and Industrial charges can vary based on the type of business. A hair salon would expect to use more water and have a higher charge than an accounting office.
If your plumbing fixtures are leaking, such as a running toilet, or a dripping faucet—fix it as soon as possible. Not only does your water bill increase but your annual Sewer Service charge will go up. The water you use is what your Sewer Service charge is based on. Learn more about how drips and leaks affect your water usage.
Baltimore County to true up $3M in water bill balances with city
FAQ
Where can I pay my water bill in Baltimore?
Paying in Person: You can pay in person at Walmart, any business that takes MoneyGram, or the Abel Wolman Municipal Building at 200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
Do Baltimore County residents pay a water bill?
Even if you live in Baltimore County, Baltimore City sends water bills to everyone who is hooked up to the public water system. If you have an inquiry about your water bill, call Baltimore City at 410-396-5398.
What is the phone number for the Baltimore County water bill?
Please fill out all of the following information and click the “Submit” button if you have a question about your water bill. After submitting your inquiry you should receive an answer within 5 business days. If you are not contacted please call (410) 396-5398.
Is Baltimore City water bill monthly?
The average amount of water a person uses is about 2 CCF per month (billed monthly by Baltimore City) or 6 CCF per quarter (billed quarterly by Baltimore County). This amount may vary for your particular household.
Will Baltimore City water bills be sent out?
Fees for water, sewer, and storm water for April, May, June, and July will be on the bills sent out for Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Some major sticker shock is expected. The City of Baltimore’s water billing system is now fully operational.
How do I contact Baltimore City about my water bill?
If you have an inquiry about your water bill, call Baltimore City at 410-396-5398. All properties in the Metropolitan District, whether they’ve been fixed up or not, are subject to water and sewer benefit assessments. These are allowed by Baltimore County Code 2015, Section 20-3-201, and they’re used to pay for the costs of putting in water and sewer mains.
Will Baltimore City water bills increase in July?
Water bills in Baltimore City will also show a rate increase on July 1 that was approved by the Board of Estimates in January, DPW said. Late fees have been waived until November 2019, due to the inconvenience.
Does Baltimore County offer government services online?
Every day, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, Baltimore County is happy to offer government services and resources online. People who live in Baltimore County can use this system to: Most of the online services the county offers need a login for security reasons
How is water charged in Baltimore County?
Most properties are charged based on the volume of water used. Your water bill shows the number of units used in a quarterly period. A unit equals 100 cubic feet of water, or 748 gallons. Rates vary based on the property type. Baltimore County charges those on well and public sewer based on the plumbing fixtures on the property.
Does Baltimore County have a water advisory?
The Baltimore City Department of Public Works put out a water advisory on September 28 for parts of Baltimore County and other parts of the region’s water system. More information is available from the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. Baltimore City is responsible for the water service in Baltimore County.
