Where to send your payment

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sends water bills to property owners and renters who have accounts in their name. You can pay online through the DEP website, by mail, in person at a DEP payment office, or by phone. Each method has different timing — online and phone payments post within one business day, while mailed checks take 7 to 10 days to reach the office and clear.

If you rent and your landlord pays the water bill, you will not receive a bill directly. If you rent and the lease says you pay water, contact the DEP to set up an account in your name. The DEP's customer service line is 311 (or 212-639-9675 from outside the city). They can tell you whether an account exists under your address and help you start one if needed.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through the DEP website is the fastest method and shows your payment posted the same business day.
  • Mailed payments take 7 to 10 days to arrive and process, so send them well before the due date on your bill.
  • If you pay by phone, have your bill number and account number ready; the DEP charges a convenience fee for this method.
  • Late payments trigger a 10 percent penalty plus interest, and unpaid bills can lead to a lien on your property.
  • If you cannot pay in full, contact the DEP about a payment plan before the bill becomes overdue.

Paying online through the DEP website

Go to the DEP's online payment portal at a826.nyc.gov. Enter your account number (found on your bill) and the amount you want to pay. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. Debit and credit card payments process immediately and show as posted within one business day. Bank account transfers also post within one business day but require your routing and account numbers.

The DEP does not charge a fee for online payments. This is the cheapest and fastest option if you have internet access and a valid payment method. You will receive a confirmation number on screen; save or print it as proof of payment.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to "NYC Department of Environmental Protection." Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address on your bill — typically the DEP's central payment processing office in lower Manhattan, though the exact address may vary by year. Include your bill with the payment or write your account number clearly on the envelope.

Mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and process. The DEP stamps the date received, not the date mailed, so send your payment at least two weeks before the due date if you want to avoid a late fee. If your bill is due on the 15th, mail your payment by the 1st to be safe.

Paying by phone or in person

Call 311 or 212-639-9675 to pay by phone. Have your account number and bill amount ready. The DEP charges a convenience fee for phone payments — the amount varies but is typically $2 to $5. The payment posts within one business day.

You can also pay in person at a DEP payment office. The main office is located at 33 Thomas Street in lower Manhattan, and there are satellite offices in each borough. Hours vary by location. Bring your bill or account number and cash, check, or money order. In-person payments post the same day if made before 3 p.m.

What happens if you miss the due date

Water bills are due 30 days from the bill date. If payment does not arrive by the due date, the DEP adds a 10 percent penalty to the amount owed plus interest at the rate set by New York State (currently around 7 percent per year). The interest accrues daily on the unpaid balance.

If your bill remains unpaid for 60 days, the DEP can file a lien against your property. A lien means the city has a legal claim on your home and can eventually force a sale to recover the debt. This happens rarely for small bills but is common for large arrears. If you cannot pay, contact the DEP immediately to discuss a payment plan or hardship options.

Setting up a payment plan

If you owe money and cannot pay in full, call 311 or visit the DEP office to request a payment plan. The DEP will work with you to set up a schedule — typically monthly installments over 12 months, though longer terms may be possible depending on the amount owed. You must make the first payment to start the plan, and missing a payment can cancel it.

Payment plans do not stop interest from accruing, but they prevent the DEP from filing a lien while you are making regular payments. If you are facing hardship due to job loss, illness, or other circumstances, mention this when you call — some programs offer temporary relief or reduced payments for households meeting income thresholds.

Checking your payment status

Log into your account on the DEP website at a826.nyc.gov to see your current balance, recent payments, and due dates. The site updates within one business day of a payment posting. If you paid by mail and your payment has not appeared after 10 business days, call 311 to confirm it was received.

Keep your confirmation number from online payments or your cancelled check from mailed payments as proof. If a payment is lost in the mail, the DEP can search their records by date and amount, but having proof speeds up the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay someone else's water bill?

Yes. You can pay online using their account number, by mail if you include their account number, or by phone if you provide it. The DEP does not require you to be the account holder to make a payment. If you are paying a family member's bill regularly, consider asking them to add you as an authorized user so you can see the balance and due date.

What if I think my bill is wrong?

Call 311 to dispute the amount. The DEP will review your meter reading and usage history. While a dispute is being investigated, you should still pay the bill by the due date to avoid late fees and penalties. Once the dispute is resolved, the DEP will adjust your account if an error is found and may credit overpayments to your next bill.

Do I have to pay if I am renting and the lease says the landlord pays water?

No. If your lease states the landlord is responsible for water, the bill should be in their name, not yours. If you received a bill, contact the DEP to confirm who the account holder is. If the account is in your name but the lease says the landlord pays, ask your landlord to contact the DEP to transfer the account to their name.

What if I pay online but the payment does not show up?

Online payments post within one business day. If more than one business day has passed and the payment does not appear on your account, call 311 with your confirmation number. The DEP can trace the payment and confirm whether it was received. Do not make a second payment until you have confirmed the first one failed.

Can I set up automatic payments?

The DEP does not offer automatic recurring payments through their website. You can set up a reminder to pay each month, or you can arrange a payment plan that requires monthly payments. Some banks allow you to schedule bill payments through your own online banking portal — contact your bank to see if they can send payments to the DEP on your behalf.