Water Utility Authority Help Desk: Pay, Log In, Call or Restore Service
Use this guide like a customer-service counter: pay a water, sewer and trash bill, view your bill, call the right phone option, handle a turn-off notice, check usage, report emergencies, find assistance, and avoid slow payment mistakes.
Quick Answer: Official Water Authority Details
Need |
Official route |
Prepare first |
Do not miss |
|---|---|---|---|
Pay without login |
Account number, ZIP code, payment method. |
Guest Pay can also be used to view bill images with account number and ZIP code. |
|
Log in / create profile |
Account information, email, password. |
Use for bill images, Paperless by Email, recurring payments and HomeConnect usage tools. |
|
Pay by phone |
505-842-WATR, Option 2 |
Account number, payment method, balance due. |
Use phone route if online payment is confusing or you need a confirmation path. |
Billing or general issue |
505-842-WATR, Option 0 |
Bill copy, account number, service address, notice, payment proof. |
Use Option 0 for billing, payments, general issues and repayment options. |
Water/sewer emergency |
505-842-WATR, Option 1 |
Exact address, cross street, water/sewer issue, time started, safety risk. |
Option 1 is listed for water/sewer emergencies 24 hours a day. |
Turn-off warning or water already off |
Turn-off notice, full balance, guaranteed funds, pay-plan question. |
Same-day restoration action must be completed by 2:00 PM MT. |
Do not self-restore water: ABCWUA says only authorized Water Authority personnel may turn water back on. Unauthorized turn-on can cause a violation and fee.
Official Office, Mail, Phone Menu and Local Area
Customer Service Center
Address:
1441 Mission Ave. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Lobby hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Main phone menu
Dial: 505-842-WATR / 505-842-9287
Option 0 billing • Option 1 emergency • Option 2 phone payment • Option 3 construction • Option 4 rebates • Option 5 water waste.
Service area context
Utility: Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
Locality: Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The utility bills water, sewer and, for most customers, curbside refuse collection.
Contact / place |
Official detail |
Use for |
|---|---|---|
Customer Service Center |
1441 Mission Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 |
Walk-in payment/help, account questions, turn-off notice support. |
Payment mail |
ABCWUA, PO Box 27226, Albuquerque, NM 87125 |
Regular bill payment by mail. |
General contact mail |
P.O. Box 568, Albuquerque, NM 87103-0568 |
General correspondence route listed by the Water Authority. |
Downtown drop box |
5th & Marquette, by City Hall downtown |
Curbside drop-box payment. |
Mission Ave drop box |
1441 Mission Ave. NE |
Curbside drop-box payment at Customer Service Center. |
Trash bill questions |
City Solid Waste: 505-761-8100; Bernalillo County Solid Waste: 505-224-1639 |
Trash/refuse charges, carts or collection questions, not water/sewer service. |
Pay or Log In Without a Wrong-Link Mistake
Use the official payment paths below. Keep proof because the same account can involve water, sewer and trash collection charges.
Choose Guest Pay or My Account
Use Guest Pay for a one-time payment. Use the WA Portal/My Account if you want recurring payments, bill images, account profile features, Paperless by Email or HomeConnect usage tools.
Match account number and ZIP code
Guest Pay uses account number and ZIP code for bill images. Enter the account exactly from the current Water Authority bill.
Check whether service is already off
If water is off due to non-payment, pay with debit or credit card, then call Customer Service at 505-842-9287 to confirm your turn-on request.
Save proof before closing
Keep payment confirmation, amount, date/time, payment method, account number, and the name/time of any customer-service call.
Payment method |
Official detail |
Best for |
Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
Guest Pay |
Quick payment without account setup. |
Save the confirmation number and bill image if needed. |
|
Sign in / create profile |
Recurring payments, bill images, paperless email and HomeConnect tools. |
Returning customers may need reset-password flow if portal changed. |
|
Bank draft |
ABCWUA debits your bank account each month to pay the bill in full. |
Customers who want automatic full payment. |
Do not assume active until enrollment is confirmed. |
Phone payment |
Call 505-842-WATR and select Option 2. |
Customers who prefer phone route or need guided payment. |
Use Option 0 if you need repayment or turn-off help, not just payment. |
Mail |
ABCWUA, PO Box 27226, Albuquerque, NM 87125. |
Normal bills with enough mailing time. |
Too slow for turn-off notices or water already off. |
Walk-in |
Customer Service Center, 1441 Mission Ave. NE; lobby 8:30 AM-4:30 PM weekdays. |
Turn-off warning, complicated account issues, receipt needs. |
Bring notice, account number, ID/payment method and proof. |
Curbside drop box |
1441 Mission Ave. NE; 5th & Marquette downtown. |
After-hours check/money-order drop. |
Do not use for urgent same-day turn-on unless customer service confirms. |
Western Union |
ABCWUA says to call ahead because hours/availability can change. |
Alternative in-person payment route. |
Confirm the location and posting before using it for urgent service protection. |
Water Off, Turn-Off Notice or Delinquency Letter
Water already off
Do not turn it back on yourself. Call 505-842-WATR, Option 0, to discuss repayment and turn-on steps.
Same-day deadline
Payment/pay-plan action must be completed by 2:00 PM MT for same-day service restoration.
Guaranteed funds
Cash, cashier’s/certified check, money orders, debit cards and credit cards are listed as guaranteed funds.
Notice status |
What it means |
Action that matters |
|---|---|---|
Delinquency letter |
You are not in immediate danger of water shutoff. |
Add extra payment if possible and call Option 0 if you need a plan. |
Turn-off notice |
Service disconnection is approaching. |
Call 505-842-WATR Option 0 immediately to discuss payment in full or Pay Plan. |
Water off for non-payment |
Account requires full balance payment or 75% down in guaranteed funds plus Pay Plan for remaining balance within 30 days. |
Pay, then call Customer Service to confirm disclaimer and turn-on request. |
Payment made after 2 PM MT |
Same-day restoration may not happen. |
Expect next business day unless Customer Service says otherwise. |
Water or Sewer Emergency: Use the Phone Menu Correctly
24-hour emergency
505-842-WATR, Option 1
Water/sewer emergencies are routed through Option 1, 24 hours a day.
Report water waste
505-842-WATR, Option 5
Use for water waste reports when online reporting is difficult.
Problem |
Best phone option |
Say this |
Have ready |
|---|---|---|---|
Water main break / street leak |
Option 1 |
“Water is flowing/bubbling near [address/cross street].” |
Location, flow direction, traffic/safety risk, time started. |
Sewer backup |
Option 1 |
“Sewer is backing up at [fixture/location].” |
Basement/floor drain/toilet, neighbors affected, wastewater contact risk. |
No water / pressure loss |
Option 1 if urgent; Option 0 for account check |
“All fixtures / some fixtures at [address] have no water or low pressure.” |
Service address, notice status, neighbors affected, recent work nearby. |
Water quality concern |
Option 1 for urgent water concern |
“Water changed color/odor/taste at [time].” |
Cold/hot tap, all taps or one tap, photo in clear glass, area affected. |
Water waste |
Option 5 or online form |
“Water is flowing/spraying into [street/storm drain/private property].” |
Address, best day/time to observe, source if known. |
View the Bill, Understand Charges and Track Usage
Bill images
Use Guest Pay with account number and ZIP code, or enroll in the WA Portal to view bill images for accounts you set up.
Paperless by Email
Enroll in the WA Portal and choose “Paperless by Email” under Bill Statement Delivery. Paper bills stop until you change it back.
HomeConnect
If your meter has AMI, set up HomeConnect through My Account to track hour-by-hour water usage and spot possible leaks.
Searcher question |
Direct answer |
Action |
|---|---|---|
Why does my bill include trash? |
Monthly Water Authority bills include water, sewer and, for most customers, curbside refuse collection billed on behalf of the City of Albuquerque. |
Call trash agencies for trash-specific questions. |
How do I see the paper bill online? |
Guest Pay can show bill images with account number and ZIP code; WA Portal shows bill images for accounts you set up. |
Use Guest Pay or create a profile. |
Can I get email bills? |
Yes. Enroll in WA Portal and choose Paperless by Email. |
Verify email delivery before relying on it for due-date reminders. |
How do I track high usage? |
HomeConnect lets eligible AMI-meter customers track usage close to real time, including hour-by-hour usage. |
Create/login to My Account, then set up HomeConnect. |
Who handles trash bill issues? |
City Solid Waste: 505-761-8100; Bernalillo County Solid Waste: 505-224-1639. |
Call the right solid-waste office if issue is carts, pickup or trash charge. |
High Bill, Meter Reading and Leak Math
1 unit
One billing unit equals 100 cubic feet, or 748 gallons.
1 cubic foot
One cubic foot equals about 7.48 gallons.
Leak detector
The meter triangle rotates when water passes through the meter.
AMI option
If your meter has AMI, use HomeConnect to check close-to-real-time usage.
Check |
How to do it |
What it means |
|---|---|---|
Analog meter read |
Read straight-reading meter like an odometer or read circular dials from highest to lowest; if a hand is between numbers, read the lower number. |
Helps verify usage before calling. |
Leak detector triangle |
Turn off all water. If the triangle still turns, water is passing through the meter. |
Possible hidden leak in plumbing. |
Leak volume test |
Record meter and time, use no water, re-read later, subtract readings and multiply cubic feet by 7.48. |
Shows gallons used during the no-water test. |
Gallons per minute |
Divide gallons by test minutes. |
Shows leak speed or activity usage. |
Gallons per day |
Multiply gallons per minute by 1,440. |
Shows daily leak impact. |
Gallons per month |
Multiply gallons per minute by 43,920. |
Shows how a small leak becomes a large bill. |
Low-Income Credit, Water Assistance Fund and Pay-Plan Help
Low Income Credit
For homeowners only. Provides a monthly utility credit up to $33.05 for water, wastewater and solid waste. Must be renewed annually.
Water Assistance Fund
For homeowners or tenants who pay Water Authority water/sewer bills. A turn-off notice is required for 2026 eligibility.
Emergency grant amount
Approved WAF applications may receive up to $200 toward the bill.
Program / agency |
Who it helps |
Contact |
Prepare |
|---|---|---|---|
Low Income Credit Program |
Low-income homeowners. |
The Storehouse or Rio Grande Food Project. |
Application, proof of eligibility, annual renewal. |
The Storehouse |
LIC and WAF administration. |
Water Authority bill, household information, notice if WAF. |
|
Rio Grande Food Project |
LIC and WAF administration. |
Bill, turn-off notice for WAF, income/household documents. |
|
Water Assistance Fund |
Low-income homeowners or tenants with Water Authority water/sewer bills. |
Storehouse or Rio Grande Food Project only. |
Turn-off notice issued or mailed due to past-due balance. |
Pay Plan |
Customers with turn-off notice or water already off. |
505-842-WATR, Option 0. |
Full balance or 75% down in guaranteed funds if water is already off. |
Moving, Renting, Selling or Title Company Payoff
Property-based utility
The Water Authority says it bills the property, not the person, and does not start, stop or transfer service in the usual tenant-style way.
Tenants
If renting and you need a prorated/final bill, contact the owner, landlord or property manager.
Owners
Owners may request mailing address changes, Budget Billing, online-profile account removal, or meter placement/removal.
Situation |
Who should act |
What to do |
|---|---|---|
Tenant not receiving bill |
Tenant + owner/manager. |
Contact owner/landlord/property manager to arrange bill delivery. |
Sold property final bill |
Owner/title company. |
Final bill should be prorated and paid through title company or negotiated with buyer. |
Property manager handling bill |
Property manager with owner permission. |
Call 505-842-WATR Option 0 for mailing address changes. |
Title company payoff |
Title company. |
Send one service address per email and include service address in subject line through official payoff instructions. |
Cancel Auto Pay/Budget Billing when selling |
Customer/owner. |
Call 842-9287 Option 0 before closing. |
Water Quality, Source Water, Conservation and Rebates
Water sources
Albuquerque and Bernalillo County rely on groundwater from the Santa Fe Group Aquifer and surface water from the San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Project.
Annual report
The Water Quality Report is mailed once a year and available online in English and Spanish.
Water quality contact
For concerns at your home or business, call 842-WATR Option 1 to speak with staff in the Communication Center.
Topic |
Useful official detail |
Action |
|---|---|---|
Water quality report |
The latest report page lists English and Spanish PDF versions plus past reports. |
Download the current report before citing contaminant/testing details. |
Water source |
Groundwater wells combine with San Juan-Chama project water to produce about 32 billion gallons annually for the service area. |
Use the Your Drinking Water overview for source context. |
Home water concern |
Use 842-WATR Option 1 for water quality concerns. |
Prepare color/odor/taste, tap affected, time started, and neighbors affected. |
Water waste |
Water waste includes water flowing/spraying into public right-of-way, storm drain or adjacent private property; spray irrigation 11 AM-7 PM from Apr. 1-Oct. 31 is water waste. |
Report online or call Option 5 with address, best time to observe and source if known. |
Xeriscape rebate |
ABCWUA lists $3.00 per square foot and requires pre-approval before turf removal begins. |
Apply before starting; schedule inspection before removing turf. |
Treebate |
Residential customers may receive 25% up to $100; commercial customers 25% up to $500 for qualifying tree maintenance/purchase. |
Apply within 90 days with itemized paid receipt and account number. |
Builders, Permits, Maps and Connection Questions
Construction Services
Call 505-842-WATR, Option 3, Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM.
Maps & Records
Call 505-289-3242 or 505-289-3248.
Connection permit fees
Official site lists $50 for small water services, $50 for sanitary sewer services, and $150 for hydrants/manholes/fire lines/large services.
Builder note: Work order and connection-permit fees must be paid before release/issuance. Engineering review fees are based on 3.25% of infrastructure cost that becomes a Water Authority asset.
Water Utility Authority Map and Visit Details
Location |
Address |
Use for |
|---|---|---|
Customer Service Center |
1441 Mission Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 |
Walk-in account help, bill payment, turn-off notice, drop box. |
Downtown drop box |
5th & Marquette, by City Hall, Albuquerque |
Curbside payment drop box. |
Mail payment |
ABCWUA, PO Box 27226, Albuquerque, NM 87125 |
Regular bill payment by mail. |
General correspondence |
P.O. Box 568, Albuquerque, NM 87103-0568 |
General contact mail route listed by the Water Authority. |
Plaza Del Sol builder route |
600 2nd Street NW, Suite 201, Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
Utility development, availability, permits, pressure/flow inquiries, when routed by official staff. |
Water Utility Authority FAQ
What is the Water Utility Authority phone number?
Call 505-842-WATR or 505-842-9287. Use Option 0 for billing/general issues, Option 1 for 24-hour water/sewer emergencies, Option 2 for phone payment, Option 4 for conservation/rebates and Option 5 for water waste.
Where can I pay my Water Authority bill online?
Use official Guest Pay for a one-time payment or the WA Portal/My Account to sign in or create a profile for recurring payments and account tools.
What is the Customer Service Center address?
The Customer Service Center is at 1441 Mission Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Walk-in lobby hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.
What should I do if my water is off for non-payment?
Do not turn water back on yourself. Pay the required amount or set up an approved Pay Plan, then call 505-842-WATR Option 0. Same-day restoration action must be completed by 2:00 PM MT.
How much is required if water is already off?
ABCWUA says an account with water off requires the full balance paid or 75% down in guaranteed funds plus a Pay Plan for the remaining balance within 30 days.
How do I view my bill?
Use Guest Pay with account number and ZIP code to view bill images, or enroll in the WA Portal to view bill images for accounts you set up.
What is HomeConnect?
HomeConnect is an online usage tool for customers with AMI-equipped meters. It can show hour-by-hour water usage and help identify possible leaks or malfunctions.
How do I report a water or sewer emergency?
Call 505-842-WATR and choose Option 1. The Water Authority lists Option 1 for water/sewer emergencies 24 hours a day.
Where can I get help paying the bill?
Check the Low Income Credit Program, Water Assistance Fund, The Storehouse at 505-842-6491, Rio Grande Food Project at 505-967-8983, and call Option 0 for pay-plan help.
Is this the official Water Authority website?
No. This is an informational guide. Confirm live balance, fees, notices, payment status, service restoration, water quality alerts and emergency instructions with official ABCWUA sources.
30-Second Water Authority Checklist
Pay now: Guest Pay or WA Portal → account number/ZIP → save confirmation.
Call: 505-842-WATR → Option 0 billing, Option 1 emergency, Option 2 payment, Option 5 water waste.
Water off: do not self-restore → pay/Pay Plan → call Option 0 → same-day request before 2:00 PM MT.
High bill: bill image → HomeConnect if AMI → meter triangle → leak math → call with account proof.
Assistance: LIC up to $33.05/month for homeowners; WAF up to $200 with turn-off notice for eligible homeowners/tenants.
Editorial Team
WaterBillGuide.us
The content on WaterBillGuide.us is researched and prepared by our editorial team. Our writers and researchers review publicly available information from official utility websites and service portals to create clear, step-by-step informational guides.
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