Chicago Water Utility 2026: Bill Pay, Login & Phone

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City of Chicago • utility billing • water • sewer • UBR • leak relief • 311

Chicago Water Utility Quick Desk: Pay, Log In, Call, Get Relief or Report a Sewer Problem

This page is for City of Chicago water and sewer utility customers. Use it to open the official payment portal, use Quick Pay, call Utility Billing Customer Service, avoid phishing links, understand water/sewer tax and rate basics, apply for Utility Billing Relief, request leak relief, report water in basement or sewer backups through CHI311, and check Chicago water quality or lead-service-line tools.

Log In / Pay Bill Quick Pay Call 312-744-4426 CHI311 Requests

Start Here: What Are You Trying to Do?

Pay / loginutilitybill.chicago.gov
Billing phone312-744-4426
Service request311 / CHI311
Lead line help312-742-2406
User intent
Best official action
Have ready
Chicago-specific warning
Pay Chicago water bill online
Use Online Account Management or Quick Pay.
Utility account number, service address, payment method, bill amount.
Look for chicago.gov in the web address. The City warns users not to trust suspicious email links.
Call about bill, balance or account number
Call Utility Billing Customer Service at 312-744-4426.
Account number, service address, owner name, bill date, payment proof.
If you do not have the account number, UBR FAQ says you can call 312-744-4426 to request a copy of your bill.
Set paperless, AutoPay, SelectPay or payment plan
Log in to Online Account Management.
Username/password, email, payment method, account number.
The portal lists bill pay, paperless billing, AutoPay/SelectPay and payment plans inside account management.
Need help with water/sewer bill
Check Utility Billing Relief.
Account number, ID, property type, household income documents, proof you live at the property.
UBR can reduce water, sewer and water-sewer tax by 50%, but garbage fees are not included.
Outdoor or underground leak caused high bill
Use the Leak Relief Program information from the Utility Billing home page.
Repair proof, dates, account number, unusual bill months.
City describes Leak Relief as help for eligible outdoor, underground leaks that impacted bills.
Water in basement / sewer backup
Use CHI311 or call 311 inside Chicago.
Address, dirty/clean water, source drain/toilet/shower, water depth, basement/crawl/ground level.
CHI311 request guidance says sewer crews need these details to dispatch correctly.
Water leak, main issue, hydrant or street problem
Use CHI311 service request or call 311.
Exact location, cross street, whether water is flowing, photo if safe.
For immediate danger, use emergency judgment; 311 is for non-emergency city service routing.
Buying or selling Chicago property
Use Full Payment Certificate process and call billing for balance questions.
Property PIN/address, buyer/seller details, account balance, closing date.
Chicago real-estate transfers commonly require a water/sewer Full Payment Certificate.
Lead service line or water quality question
Use Service Line Lookup and Chicago Water Quality.
Property address, building type/year, water-quality concern, tap affected.
Chicago Water Quality says pre-1986 houses, two-flats and small buildings have a high likelihood of a lead service line.

Phishing safety: The City utility portal warns customers to navigate directly to utilitybill.chicago.gov instead of clicking links in emails. If a page asks for payment but the address does not show a Chicago government domain or an official City-linked path, stop and call 312-744-4426.

Official Chicago Water Utility Contact Box

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Utility Billing Customer Service

Phone: 312-744-4426

Use for: bills, balances, payment plans, account number help, UBR questions, Full Payment Certificate billing questions.

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Water / Sewer Service Requests

Call: 311 inside Chicago

Online: CHI311

Use for water in basement, street leaks, sewer concerns, hydrant issues and other city-service routing.

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Water Quality / Lead Line

Lead Safe Chicago: 312-742-2406

Email: lead.safe@cityofchicago.org

Use for lead service line lookup, water-quality study, filter/testing questions and replacement options.

Official route
Use for
What to click / enter
Online Account Management
Pay bill, paperless billing, AutoPay, SelectPay, payment plan, account profile.
Sign in or create account; use utility account number and profile details from your bill.
Quick Pay
Make a payment without signing in.
Enter account/payment details, verify address/balance, save confirmation.
Utility Billing Relief
Water/sewer affordability help for qualifying homeowners.
Verify property eligibility, complete income verification, re-enroll when needed.
CHI311
Non-emergency water, sewer and city service requests.
Create request, enter address, choose the right request type, track case number.
Service Line Lookup
Check known or likely water service line material.
Search address; use contact form if address is not shown.
Chicago Water Quality
Water Quality Study, filters, lead programs and water-quality education.
Check study/program options and contact 312-742-2406 if needed.
Full Payment Certificate
Real-estate transfer water/sewer balance certification.
Use property transfer details; call 312-744-4426 for billing/account balance questions.

Bill Pay and Login: Chicago Utility Billing Portal

Online account

Best for full account management, payment plans, AutoPay/SelectPay and paperless billing.

Quick Pay

Best when you have the account details and want to pay without logging in.

Phone help

Call 312-744-4426 if you need the account number, password help or payment-plan guidance.

Closing / transfer

Real-estate transfers may need a Full Payment Certificate for water/sewer charges.

Go directly to the official portal

Type utilitybill.chicago.gov or use the official City link. The portal warns customers to avoid spoofed emails and make sure the address includes chicago.gov.

Choose Online Account Management or Quick Pay

Log in if you want paperless billing, AutoPay, SelectPay or payment-plan options. Use Quick Pay only for a payment without account management.

Match the bill before paying

Confirm the account number, service address, bill amount, current/past-due balance, payment amount and any plan terms before submitting money.

Save proof

Save the receipt, confirmation number, payment date, amount, last four digits of payment method and screenshot of the posted payment when available.

Portal feature
Official portal says
Best use
Watch for
Pay your bill
Available through Online Account Management and Quick Pay.
Current, past-due or routine payment.
Verify account and address before payment.
Paperless billing
Online account management includes paperless billing enrollment.
Customers who want email/online bill access.
Keep email current so bill notices are not missed.
AutoPay / SelectPay
Portal lists AutoPay or SelectPay setup.
Recurring payment or selected-payment control.
Confirm first scheduled payment before assuming it is active.
Payment plan
Portal lists payment-plan setup.
Managing larger balances.
Understand whether current charges must still be paid on time.
Password reset
FAQ says use “Forgot Password”; call 312-744-4426 if additional help is needed.
Locked account, forgotten password, captcha issue.
Do not use links from suspicious emails.
Profile changes
FAQ says “Change My Profile” appears on the home page after logging in.
Update contact information.
Profile changes may not change ownership/transfer requirements.
Payment confirmation script: “I paid City of Chicago utility account [account number] for [service address] on [date/time] by [Online Account/Quick Pay/other method]. Confirmation number is [number]. Can you confirm posting, remaining balance, and whether my payment plan or UBR status is affected?”

Utility Billing Relief: 50% Water/Sewer Help for Eligible Chicago Homeowners

Program benefit

  • 50% rate reduction for water charges.
  • 50% rate reduction for sewer charges.
  • 50% rate reduction for water-sewer tax.
  • No penalties or debt collection on past-due City utility bill debt while successfully participating.
  • Debt forgiveness after successfully completing one full year in the program.

Basic eligibility

  • Property must be a single-family, 2-unit or 3-unit property.
  • Applicant must own the property.
  • Applicant must reside at the property.
  • Applicant must provide SSN, ITIN or another accepted form of identification.
  • Household must meet income requirements based on recent household income.

Completion rules

  • Enrollment runs for 12 months.
  • Reapply at the end of the enrollment period to remain enrolled.
  • Pay current charges at the reduced rate during the program period.
  • Garbage fees are not included in the 50% reduction.
  • Past balance is set aside during the first 12 months and forgiven after successful completion.
UBR question
Official answer to know
Action step
How much can I save?
50% on water, sewer and water-sewer tax going forward.
Use the UBR eligibility page and check your bill after enrollment.
Are garbage fees reduced?
No. UBR FAQ says garbage fees are not included.
Do not expect the whole utility bill to drop by 50% if garbage is included.
What happens to previous balance?
Previous balance is set aside during the first 12 months; after successful completion, it is forgiven.
Keep paying current reduced charges on time.
What if I fail the program?
UBR FAQ says you may have one more opportunity if you reapply and still meet criteria; otherwise past debt is not forgiven and rate reduction ends.
Call early if you cannot pay current reduced charges.
Do metered accounts change billing cycle?
UBR FAQ says metered accounts not already billed monthly will begin receiving monthly bills after enrollment.
Watch for a new monthly bill schedule.
Is water disconnected for nonpayment?
UBR FAQ states that at this time the City is not disconnecting water service for nonpayment.
Still respond to notices because normal collection processes may apply.

Account-number problem: If you want UBR but do not have your Chicago utility account number, the UBR FAQ says to call 312-744-4426 and request a copy of your bill.

Utility Billing Relief UBR FAQ Check Property Eligibility

High Bill, Meter Reads and Leak Relief

1. Check toilets

Add food coloring to tank, wait 10-15 minutes without flushing. Color in bowl means a leak.

2. Check meter pattern

If you have a meter, compare usage history and ask if the bill was estimated, corrected or caught up.

3. Repair and document

Keep plumber invoices, parts receipts, photos, meter readings and dates.

4. Ask about relief

Chicago’s utility portal points users to Leak Relief for eligible outdoor, underground leaks.

High-bill cause
How to spot it
What to ask Chicago Utility Billing
Estimated bill catch-up
Low or flat bills for a long time followed by a large bill after meter work or actual read.
“Was this bill estimated, actual or corrected? Which months were catch-up months?”
Running toilet
Tank refills randomly, dye test fails, water sound continues.
“Does this leak type qualify for any bill review or payment plan?”
Outdoor/underground leak
Wet yard, meter movement with water off, service-line repair, high usage.
“Does this qualify under the Leak Relief Program?”
Water service line leak
Leak between main/meter/building or unexplained outside wet area.
“Where does City responsibility end and owner responsibility begin?”
Sewer or water-sewer tax confusion
Water usage seems normal but sewer/tax line increases total bill.
“Can you break out water, sewer, water-sewer tax, garbage, penalties and past balance?”
Garbage fee or other City service line
Total bill changed but water consumption did not.
“Which portion is water usage versus garbage or other fees?”
Payment-plan issue
Current charges plus installment amount appear together.
“What current charges must I pay separately from the payment plan?”

Leak Relief framing: Chicago’s utility billing home page says the Leak Relief Program helps with bills from eligible outdoor, underground leaks, reduces impacted bills to an average of usual usage, and applies benefits to the utility account.

High-bill script: “My Chicago utility bill increased from [normal amount/usage] to [current amount/usage]. I need to know whether the read was estimated, actual or corrected; whether water, sewer, water-sewer tax or garbage caused the increase; and whether Leak Relief or a payment plan is available.”

Chicago Water, Sewer and Water-Sewer Tax: 2026 Billing Basics

Water rates

Chicago’s Municipal Code says metered water rates are subject to annual inflation adjustment beginning June 1 each year.

Sewer charges

Sewer service charges are billed separately from water but often track water usage or calculated use rules.

Water-sewer tax

The City code imposes a water and sewer tax on water use and wastewater transfer; the 2020-and-after code rate is $0.001255 per gallon for each taxable category.

Bill line
What it usually means
How to verify
Water service / water usage
Charge for water supplied by the City, often based on meter reading or applicable billing rule.
Check current rate table inside the utility portal or ask 312-744-4426 for your bill calculation.
Sewer service
Charge for sewer service/use of the sewerage system.
Ask whether your account is metered, unmetered or calculated and how sewer was determined.
Water and Sewer Tax
Tax imposed in addition to other water/sewer charges.
For current taxable gallons, compare bill usage and tax line; ask billing to break out water vs sewer tax.
Garbage / refuse
May appear on City utility bill but is not part of UBR’s 50% water/sewer/tax reduction.
If applying for UBR, do not expect garbage fees to be reduced.
Penalty / past due
Late or unpaid balance from prior bill cycles.
Ask whether UBR, payment plan or normal collection rules apply.
Payment plan amount
Installment arrangement on prior balance or account debt.
Confirm current charges are also being paid if required.
Full Payment Certificate balance
Water/sewer charges and penalties tied to a property transfer.
Use FPC application and call billing for account-balance questions.

Rate caution: Chicago rates can depend on metered/unmetered status, billing period, service type, exemptions and annual adjustments. For a 2026 article, link to the official portal’s “Water Rates” area and tell readers to verify the exact current rate on their bill before estimating.

Utility Billing Information Water Rate Inflation Code Water-Sewer Tax Rate Code

Water in Basement, Sewer Backup, Street Leak or Hydrant Problem

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Water in basement

Use CHI311. Be ready to say if water is dirty or clean, where it is coming from, how deep it is and whether it is basement/crawl/ground level.

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Sewer backup

Stop using water if sewage is backing up. Avoid contact and keep children/pets away until the source is controlled.

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Street leak / hydrant / main

Use 311 / CHI311 with exact address, cross street, photo if safe, and whether water is flowing into street, sidewalk, yard or building.

Issue
What CHI311 needs
What to do next
Water in basement
Address, dirty/clean water, source such as floor drain/toilet/shower, depth in inches, basement/crawl/ground level.
Submit CHI311 request and save service request number.
Sewer backup with wastewater
Location of backup, fixtures affected, time started, whether water use worsens it.
Stop water use; call 311 if urgent and document damage after safe.
Street water leak
Exact address/cross street, flow strength, whether roadway/sidewalk is affected.
Use 311 and warn neighbors if sidewalk/roadway hazard exists.
Meter box leak
Whether water is in meter box, flowing constantly, on street side or property side if visible.
Ask how City/customer responsibility is determined.
Hydrant issue
Hydrant location, leaking/open/damaged status, safety hazard.
Report through 311; do not operate hydrant yourself.
Catch basin / sewer inlet issue
Location, blockage, flooding pattern, storm timing.
Track CHI311 case and note repeat flooding dates.
311 service request script: “I need to report [water in basement / sewer backup / street leak] at [exact address]. The water is [dirty/clean], coming from [floor drain/toilet/shower/street/meter], approximately [depth/flow], and it started [date/time].”
CHI311 Home Call 311 311 Data / Request Types

New Homeowner, Property Transfer and Full Payment Certificate

New owner problem

Chicago water/sewer bills are tied to property utility records. New buyers often need closing/FPC records and the utility account number before online access works.

Full Payment Certificate

The FPC process updates utility billing records for property transfers and certifies water/sewer obligations for transfer purposes.

Billing help

FPC contact guidance says billing or account-balance questions go to Department of Finance Utility Billing and Customer Service at 312-744-4426.

Situation
Best step
Why it matters
You bought a Chicago property and no bill arrived
Call 312-744-4426 with service address and closing details.
You may need account number, bill copy or corrected mailing record.
Online portal says account already registered
Call Utility Billing and ask how to update online access after property transfer.
Prior owner/agent access can block new account setup.
Closing requires water/sewer clearance
Use Full Payment Certificate online application.
Real-property transfers commonly need water/sewer balance certification.
Buyer may qualify for UBR
Review FPC / UBR property transfer instructions and UBR eligibility before closing.
Some UBR-related transfer paths can affect FPC balance handling.
Seller balance dispute
Ask for itemized account balance, billing period, penalties and water/sewer/tax split.
Prevents buyer/seller confusion at closing.
FPC Online Application FPC Contact FPC and UBR PDF

Chicago Water Quality, Lead Service Lines and Annual Report

Annual report

Chicago publishes an annual Water Quality Report. The 2025 report is available through Chicago’s water-quality report site.

Lead line lookup

Use the Service Line Lookup to check service line material for a specific address.

Contact

For lead-service-line and water-quality study questions, Chicago Water Quality lists 312-742-2406 and lead.safe@cityofchicago.org.

Water-quality need
Official route
What to prepare
Check annual drinking-water results
2025 Chicago Water Quality Report PDF.
Report year, service address, contaminant or section you want to understand.
Check lead service line material
Service Line Lookup.
Exact property address.
Address missing from lookup
Use the contact form on the Service Line Lookup page.
Address and property details.
Older home lead risk
Chicago Water Quality says pre-1986 houses, two-flats and small buildings have a high likelihood of lead service line.
Lookup address and ask about testing/filter/replacement options.
Water unused for 6+ hours
Chicago Service Line Lookup guidance says to run water at least 5 minutes before using it for cooking and drinking.
Use cold water, then follow filter/testing guidance if applicable.
Water Quality Study or filters
Chicago Water Quality.
Address, building type, meter/filter history, contact info.

Lead-line action: Search your address first. If the lookup is unclear, use Chicago Water Quality’s contact route at 312-742-2406 or lead.safe@cityofchicago.org rather than guessing from neighborhood age alone.

Chicago Water Quality Service Line Lookup 2025 Water Quality Report Lead / Water Options

Google Map: Chicago City Hall / Utility Billing Reference

Before visiting: Always confirm current lobby availability, document requirements and the correct office before going to City Hall. Many bill-pay, UBR and account tasks can be done online or by calling 312-744-4426.

Route
Contact / address
Use for
Utility Billing Customer Service
312-744-4426
Water/sewer bill, balance, account number, payment plan, UBR questions, billing disputes.
Official utility portal
utilitybill.chicago.gov
Online Account Management, Quick Pay, AutoPay/SelectPay, paperless billing, payment plan.
CHI311
311.chicago.gov / call 311
Water in basement, sewer backup, street leak, hydrant and other city service requests.
City Hall reference
121 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60602
City offices and Full Payment Certificate reference; confirm specific office before visiting.
Lead Safe / Chicago Water Quality
312-742-2406 / lead.safe@cityofchicago.org
Lead-service-line lookup, Water Quality Study, filters and lead replacement options.

Chicago Water Utility FAQ

What is the Chicago water bill customer service phone number?

Call City of Chicago Utility Billing Customer Service at 312-744-4426 for water/sewer bill questions, account number help, balance questions, payment plans, Utility Billing Relief questions and Full Payment Certificate billing issues.

Where do I pay my Chicago water bill online?

Use the official City utility billing portal at utilitybill.chicago.gov. You can log in to Online Account Management or use Quick Pay without signing in.

What can I do after logging in to Chicago utility billing?

The City portal lists bill payment, paperless billing, AutoPay or SelectPay, payment-plan setup and account profile management inside Online Account Management.

How do I avoid fake Chicago water bill links?

Go directly to utilitybill.chicago.gov and make sure the web address includes chicago.gov. The City portal warns customers not to click suspicious email links that may spoof City messages.

What is Chicago Utility Billing Relief?

Utility Billing Relief is a City program for eligible Chicago homeowners that can reduce water, sewer and water-sewer tax by 50%, stop penalties or debt collection on past-due City utility bill debt while successfully participating, and forgive previous unpaid balance after successful completion of one year.

Who qualifies for Utility Billing Relief?

Applicants generally must own and live in a single-family, 2-unit or 3-unit property, provide an SSN, ITIN or other accepted identification, and meet the income eligibility requirements. The property eligibility tool asks for the customer and premises code from the bill.

Does Utility Billing Relief reduce garbage fees?

No. Chicago’s UBR FAQ says the 50% reduction applies to water, sewer and water-sewer tax, and that garbage fees are not included.

How do I report water in my basement in Chicago?

Use CHI311 or call 311. Be ready with the address, whether water is dirty or clean, where it is coming from, how many inches have backed up, and whether the problem is in a basement, crawl space or ground level.

Does Chicago have a leak relief program?

Yes. Chicago’s utility billing page references a Leak Relief Program for eligible outdoor, underground leaks. It describes the program as reducing impacted bills to an average of usual usage and applying benefits to the utility account.

Where do I check Chicago lead service line information?

Use the Chicago Service Line Lookup at sli.chicagowaterquality.org. For questions, Chicago Water Quality lists 312-742-2406 and lead.safe@cityofchicago.org.

30-Second Chicago Water Utility Checklist

Pay/login: go directly to utilitybill.chicago.gov; use Online Account Management or Quick Pay.

Phone: call 312-744-4426 for bills, balances, account number help, payment plans and UBR questions.

Bill help: check UBR for 50% water/sewer/tax reduction and possible debt forgiveness after successful one-year completion.

High bill: ask whether the bill was estimated, corrected or actual; check leaks and ask about Leak Relief for eligible outdoor, underground leaks.

Water/sewer issue: use 311 / CHI311 for water in basement, sewer backup, street leak, hydrant or catch-basin issues.

Lead/water quality: search your address in the Service Line Lookup and use the latest Chicago Water Quality Report for drinking-water details.

Water Bill Payment, Leak & Utility Help Toolkit

Use this free helper to find the official water bill portal, avoid unsafe payment pages, handle late bills, troubleshoot high usage, prepare start/stop service documents, and contact the utility office with the right details.

Find official payment pages safely
Prepare before late fees or shutoff
Check high bill and leak causes
Useful on every city water guide

Official Water Bill Portal Finder

Enter your city, state, and utility name. This tool creates safe search shortcuts for the official bill pay portal, customer service page, outage line, and start/stop service page.

Safety tip: Use the official city, county, or utility website when paying a water bill. Do not enter card or bank details on a page that only looks like a payment portal but does not clearly identify the official utility.

Safe Water Bill Payment Checklist

Before paying online, use this checklist to reduce the risk of wrong payment, duplicate payment, missed receipt, or third-party confusion.

Important: Some official utilities use third-party processors. That can be normal, but the payment processor should be linked from the official utility website and show clear fee/payment details.

Late Bill, Shutoff Notice & Reconnection Action Plan

Select your situation and get practical next steps. This helps users act quickly without guessing.

Do not wait: If you received a shutoff notice, online payment alone may not stop disconnection. Call the utility billing office and save your confirmation number.

High Water Bill & Leak Troubleshooter

A high bill can be caused by leaks, irrigation, estimated readings, seasonal use, or account/meter issues. Choose the closest problem below.

Quick leak test Turn off all water, then check whether the meter still moves.
Toilet check Put food coloring in tank. If color reaches bowl without flushing, there may be a leak.
Ask utility Request usage history, meter reread, leak adjustment policy, and payment arrangement options.

Start, Stop or Transfer Water Service Checklist

Moving in or out? Choose your situation and prepare the details most utilities commonly request.

Your preparation checklist

Move-out tip: Ask for a final meter read, final bill date, refund/deposit process, and confirmation number when stopping service.

Payment Assistance & Arrangement Finder

If you cannot pay the full water bill, this guide helps you decide what to ask before disconnection or extra fees.

Helpful document list: Keep your account number, photo ID, service address, bill copy, shutoff notice, income proof if needed, repair receipt if leak-related, and payment confirmation numbers.

Water Department Call Script Generator

Generate a clear call or email script before contacting the utility billing office.

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