Master Your Baltimore Water Bill: Portal, Alerts, and Tips

Confused by your Baltimore water bill or worried about a sudden spike? You are not alone. With monthly billing and new online tools, you can now track usage, spot leaks early, and avoid surprises. In this guide, you will learn how to register for the City portals, set up alerts, pay your bill, access assistance, troubleshoot high charges, and cut water use at home. Let’s dive in.

Baltimore water billing basics

Baltimore City bills monthly for water, sewer, stormwater, and related fees, and measures usage in CCF, which equals 748 gallons. Your bill shows the service period, previous balance, current charges, and a month‑to‑month usage graph. DPW explains the bill layout and common causes of high charges in its guide to understanding your water bill. The City modernized the system to monthly billing and an online portal to help you manage usage and detect leaks sooner, as outlined in DPW’s new water billing system.

Set up your DPW customer portal

You can view bills, download PDFs, and see daily or hourly usage in the DPW Customer Self‑Service Portal. To register, you need the activation code printed on the back of your paper bill. DPW explains where to find the code and how to get help if you do not have a bill in its portal registration notice.

Go paperless and get reminders

Prefer email and text updates? Enroll in paperless billing through DPW’s paperless water billing page. For payment reminders, AutoPay, pay‑by‑text, and a saved payment wallet, use the City’s payment portal at pay.baltimorecity.gov. Credit cards may include a convenience fee, while ACH or eCheck often costs less or nothing.

Pay your bill the easy way

Baltimore accepts payments online, by phone, by mail, and in person. The official payment site is pay.baltimorecity.gov, which supports AutoPay and eBill notices. You can also pay in person at the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday St., during posted hours, or mail a check using the return envelope on your bill.

Get alerts that matter

For urgent notices like boil‑water advisories or widespread outages, enroll in the City’s BMORE Alert system. You can sign up for text, email, or phone notifications through the City’s BMORE Alert registration notice. DPW also posts advisories and updates on its site and through interactive maps during neighborhood events.

Need help paying? Programs to know

If you are behind, explore help early. Water4All is Baltimore’s income‑based discount program that can lower eligible households’ bills. See the latest details and apply on DPW’s Water4All page.

For past‑due balances, DPW also offers interest‑free payment plans through PromisePay. Plans are flexible and fee‑free. If you need to discuss your account, contact DPW billing at 410‑396‑5398.

Read and troubleshoot your bill

Start by checking the service period and the beginning and ending meter reads. Usage is listed in CCF, and your bill’s graph can help you spot spikes or trends. DPW provides a preview of the bill format and tips in its guide to your bill’s new look.

Common issues include missed or late paper bills, estimated reads when a meter cannot be read remotely, and sudden increases tied to leaks or outdoor watering. DPW outlines likely causes and steps to fix issues in understanding your water bill and its new water billing system update.

What to do when your bill spikes

• Log in to the portal and confirm the billed service period, meter reads, and daily or hourly usage. Screenshot spikes for your records. Refer to DPW’s portal registration notice if you need access.
• Run a turn‑off test. Shut off all indoor water and see if the meter still moves. If it does, you may have an underground leak or a meter issue. Steps are in DPW’s understanding your water bill guide.
• Call DPW billing at 410‑396‑5398 to request an account review, field inspection, or meter test. Keep notes with dates, photos, and portal screenshots.
• If a billing error or meter fault is confirmed, ask about adjustments or credits. If the balance is still unaffordable, enroll in PromisePay and review Water4All.

Cut usage and lower your bill

Small changes can make a big difference. Try a toilet dye test by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, replace the flapper. Check outdoor hoses and irrigation timers, especially in warm months.

For long‑term savings, replace older toilets with efficient models, install faucet aerators and water‑saving showerheads, and run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines. DPW highlights these steps in its understanding your water bill resources. You can also set usage alerts and eBill reminders through pay.baltimorecity.gov to catch spikes early.

Quick action checklist

• Find your activation code on the back of your paper bill and register for the DPW portal using DPW’s portal registration notice.
• Enroll in paperless billing and eBill notices through DPW’s paperless water billing page, and set AutoPay or reminders in the City payment portal at pay.baltimorecity.gov.
• Register for BMORE Alert to receive emergency advisories using the City’s BMORE Alert registration notice.
• For a sudden high bill, run the turn‑off test, check toilets and hose timers, screenshot portal reads, then call DPW at 410‑396‑5398 and ask about PromisePay or Water4All if you need help.

Local help when you need it

Your water bill is part of owning or preparing to sell a home in Baltimore City. If you are planning a move and want guidance on repairs, pre‑listing prep, or navigating your next purchase or sale, reach out to SDS Group for local, client‑first real estate support across Baltimore and central Maryland.

FAQs

How do I register for the DPW portal if I never received a paper bill?

• DPW’s Customer Self‑Service Portal requires an activation code printed on the back of your bill. If you do not have one, follow DPW’s instructions in the portal registration notice to request help.

I did not receive a bill this month. Will I still owe a balance?

• Yes. Check your account online at pay.baltimorecity.gov, enroll in eBill or paperless billing, and contact DPW billing if your account is missing or seems incorrect.

Can I set up AutoPay and usage or payment alerts?

• Yes. The City’s payment portal at pay.baltimorecity.gov supports AutoPay and reminders. DPW’s portal provides usage views that help you track consumption and spot spikes early.

Who issues boil‑water advisories in Baltimore City, and how do I get notified?

• DPW issues advisories and shares updates through press releases and interactive maps. For direct alerts by text, email, or phone, enroll in BMORE Alert using the City’s registration notice.

Why is my usage listed in CCF and how do I read it?

• Baltimore bills in CCF, where 1 CCF equals 748 gallons. Compare the service period and beginning and ending meter reads, then use the bill’s usage graph to look for unusual spikes as explained in understanding your water bill.

Where can I pay in person, and what are my other options?

• You can pay in person at the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday St., during posted hours, or use the City’s online, phone, or mail options at pay.baltimorecity.gov.