A temporary pause on residential water shutoffs for nonpayment ended on March 31, and shutoffs resumed on April 1. You may have received a shutoff notice if you owe more than $1,000 in unpaid water bills and aren’t on a payment plan or enrolled in an assistance program. Water shutoffs can feel overwhelming, but there’s good news—here are four ways to avoid losing your service:

  1. Take advantage of the protections

There are policies in place to make sure residents who can’t pay still maintain water service. The Raise Your Hand initiative is one of them. It ensures that vulnerable Philadelphians, like seniors, minors, or people with disabilities, are protected from shutoff. Call (215) 685-6300 or email wrbhelpdesk@phila.gov for immediate protection.

Similarly, the Utility Service Tenants Rights Act protects tenants whose landlords handle their water bills. Your water won’t be shut off because your landlord doesn’t pay.

  1. Get help lowering your bill

You can also avoid a water shutoff by signing up for assistance programs. Low-income households can get help lowering their bills with the Tiered Assistance Program (TAP). This program makes your bill affordable and can forgive your debt after 24 qualifying payments. Even higher-income households experiencing a Special Hardship, such as job loss, may still qualify for water bill discounts.

You can apply for these programs with a single application. When you fill out the application, you get a 30-day shutoff protection—meaning, you won’t lose water service while your application is being processed. Even if you didn’t receive a shut off notice, call us at (215) 685-6300 if you’re behind on your bill or concerned about making payments.

Visit phila.gov/waterbillhelp to learn more about ways to avoid shutoffs, like grants and programs that make water bills more affordable in Philadelphia.

  1. Pay your water bills

It’s best to pay your bill in full to avoid a water shut off. You can pay online at phila.gov/waterbill, over the phone at (877) 309-3709, or by mailing a check payable to “City of Philadelphia” to:

Water Revenue Bureau
P.O. Box 41496
Philadelphia, PA 19101-1496

Paying online is the easiest and fastest. You’ll need your nine-digit Water Access Code (found on your bill), ZIP code, and payment information.

  1. Additional resources

If you don’t qualify for income-based assistance, you can set up a payment plan to make smaller monthly payments. Give us a call at (215) 685-6300 to find out about our water bill payment plans. The UESF grant can also help you pay your bills.

Landlords may still be subject to water sequestration for unpaid water bills. If you need help setting up a payment plan, call (215) 685-6300.

Apply for water bill help to avoid losing service.