Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority Help Desk
Use this guide to pay a Water Authority bill, log in or create an account, call the right option, handle a turn-off notice, report a water or sewer emergency, understand why the bill includes trash charges, and know what tenants, owners, title companies and property managers should do next.
Quick Answer: Choose the Right ABCWUA Route
Need |
Best official action |
Prepare first |
Do not miss |
|---|---|---|---|
Pay once without full login |
10-digit ABCWUA account number and 5-digit service ZIP code. |
Confirm account and ZIP before submitting; save confirmation number. |
|
Sign in or create profile |
Account number, email, password, payment method if setting up recurring payments. |
Registered users can use more features, including recurring payments. |
|
Pay by phone |
Call 505-842-WATR and choose Option 2. |
Account number, service ZIP code, payment method. |
Use Option 0 after paying if service is off or near shutoff. |
Billing, payments, general issues |
Call 505-842-WATR and choose Option 0. |
Bill, account number, service address, notice, confirmation number. |
Same-day restoration requests must be completed by 2:00 PM MT when water is off for non-payment. |
Water/sewer emergency |
Call 505-842-WATR and choose Option 1. |
Address, cross street, issue type, visible flow, safety risk. |
Dispatch is available 24/7 for sewer overflows, sewer backups, broken water mains and emergency turn-offs. |
Construction / new physical service |
Call 505-842-WATR and choose Option 3. |
Property address, development/project details, service type, permit question. |
New physical water/sewer/non-potable service is different from putting an existing bill in someone’s name. |
Conservation / rebates |
Call Option 4 or use 505Outside. |
Address, landscape type, irrigation schedule, rebate interest. |
Spray irrigation is not allowed between 11 AM and 7 PM from April 1-Oct. 31. |
Report water waste |
Call Option 5 or use the online report form. |
Violation address, best observation day/time, source of water if known, photo/video if safe. |
Warnings usually come before fines; detailed reports help field staff verify. |
Most important local rule: ABCWUA is a property-based utility. It bills the property, not the person. Owners control the account; tenants should work through the landlord/property manager for mailed bills, prorated bills or final bill questions.
Official Contact, Office, Mailing and Phone Menu
Main Customer Service
Phone: 505-842-WATR / 505-842-9287
Call center: Option 0 for billing, payments and general issues.
Customer Service Center
1441 Mission Ave. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Walk-in payment hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.
Mailing Address
Contact mailing:
P.O. Box 568
Albuquerque, NM 87103-0568
Bill payment mail:
ABCWUA, P.O. Box 27226, Albuquerque, NM 87125
Phone option | Use for | What to have ready |
|---|---|---|
Option 0 | Call Center: billing, payments, water off, notices, pay plan, general account issues. | Account number, service address, notice, confirmation number, owner/authorized information. |
Option 1 | Water/sewer emergencies, 24 hours a day. | Address, cross street, visible water/sewer issue, safety risk, whether water is entering property. |
Option 2 | Make a payment over the phone. | Account number, ZIP code, payment method. |
Option 3 | Construction Services. | Project address, permit/development question, service type, work order or connection permit question. |
Option 4 | Water Conservation and Rebates. | Address, landscape/irrigation details, rebate or watering question. |
Option 5 | Report Water Waste. | Violation address, day/time, overspray/runoff source, photo/video if safe. |
Option 6 | Cockroach Control. | Address/location, sewer area concern, contact information. |
Option 7 | Report concerns about Water Authority vehicle operation. | Vehicle number/description, time, location, concern. |
Trash bill questions | City Solid Waste: 505-761-8100; Bernalillo County Solid Waste: 505-224-1639. | Trash/refuse line item, service address, account copy. |
Official contact links:
Pay Bill, Guest Pay, Login, Bank Draft and Drop Boxes
Guest Pay
Use one-time payment with a 10-digit ABCWUA account number and 5-digit service ZIP code.
My Account
Sign in or create a profile for additional account options such as recurring payments and account history.
Phone Pay
Call 505-842-WATR and select Option 2.
Bank Draft
ABCWUA can debit the bank account each month to pay the bill in full after bank-draft setup.
Payment method | Official detail | Best for | Watch this |
|---|---|---|---|
Guest Pay | One-time bill payment without full login. | Needs 10-digit account number and 5-digit service ZIP code. | |
Sign in / create profile | Recurring payments, account balance, payment history and profile access. | Use latest account number, especially after property changes. | |
Bank draft | ABCWUA debits the bank account monthly to pay the bill in full. | Customers who want automatic full payment. | Cancel or change draft before selling property or moving billing responsibility. |
Phone payment | Call 505-842-WATR and select Option 2. | Customers who prefer paying by phone. | Use Option 0 afterward if water is off or there is a turn-off warning. |
Mail payment | ABCWUA, P.O. Box 27226, Albuquerque, NM 87125. | Normal bills with enough mailing time. | Do not mail when water is off or shutoff is close. |
Curbside drop box | 1441 Mission Ave NE. | Local drop-off payment. | Use payment stub/envelope and avoid cash unless official instructions allow it. |
Downtown drop box | 5th & Marquette, by City Hall downtown. | Downtown payment drop-off. | Not a replacement for calling on shutoff/reconnect issues. |
Walk-in | Customer Service, 1441 Mission Ave NE, lobby Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. | Payment plus staff help. | Bring bill, account number, ID if needed, and notice if service is at risk. |
Western Union | ABCWUA says to call ahead because hours and availability can change. | Third-party in-person pay option. | Ask posting time and fee before paying. |
Official payment links:
Water Off, Turn-Off Notice or Delinquency Letter
Water already off
- Do not turn the water back on yourself.
- Only authorized Water Authority personnel may turn it on.
- Unauthorized turn-on can create a violation and fee.
Payment needed
- Pay full outstanding balance, or
- Pay 75% down in guaranteed funds and set up a Pay Plan.
- Guaranteed funds include cash, cashier’s/certified check, money order, debit card or credit card.
Same-day cutoff
- Call 505-842-WATR Option 0 after payment.
- Same-day restoration actions must be completed by 2:00 PM MT.
- Requests after cutoff restore next business day.
Status | What it means | Best action |
|---|---|---|
Delinquency letter | ABCWUA says you are not in immediate danger of having water turned off. | Add extra payment if possible and call Option 0 if you cannot catch up. |
Turn-off notice | Service is at risk unless repayment is handled. | Call 505-842-WATR Option 0 to pay in full or set up Pay Plan. |
Water off for non-payment | Account requires full balance or 75% down in guaranteed funds plus Pay Plan. | Pay, call Option 0, accept disclaimer and confirm turn-on request. |
Need same-day restoration | Action must be completed before 2 PM MT. | Do not rely on mail/drop box; use fast payment and call. |
Water service may be shut during repairs | Emergency repairs can temporarily shut off service. | Call Option 1 if the issue is emergency-related, not billing-related. |
New Service, Tenants, Owners, Property Managers and Title Companies
ABCWUA does not start, stop or transfer service by person. The utility says it is property-based and bills the property. The property owner of record based on Bernalillo County Clerk records controls and is responsible for the water account.
Your role | What ABCWUA says | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
Tenant / renter | If renting and needing prorated/final bill, contact owner/landlord/property manager. | Ask landlord to confirm whether water bill is mailed to you and whether bank draft is allowed. |
Tenant not receiving bill | You need to contact owner/landlord/property manager if you want bill mailed to you. | Do not assume ABCWUA will transfer account into tenant name. |
Property owner | Owner may request mailing address changes, Budget Billing, online-profile account removal, and meter placement/removal. | Call Option 0 with proof/owner details ready. |
Buyer / seller | Final bill for sold property should be prorated and paid through title company or negotiated between buyer and seller. | Handle payoff during closing, not after moving day. |
Property manager | With owner permission, property manager may add/change mailing address by calling Option 0. | Have owner authorization and property details ready. |
Title company | Requests for bill and financial history should be emailed to ABCWUA title payoff route. | Use one service address per request and put service address in subject line. |
New physical service | Use Construction Services if seeking new water, sanitary sewer or non-potable service for a property. | Call Option 3 or complete the intake form when applicable. |
Understand the Bill, Trash Charges, Meter Usage and HomeConnect
Monthly bill
The monthly bill covers water, sewer and, for most customers, curbside refuse collection billed on behalf of the City of Albuquerque.
Extra charges
Adjustments, water waste and extra cart charges may appear.
Trash questions
City Solid Waste: 505-761-8100. Bernalillo County Solid Waste: 505-224-1639.
HomeConnect
AMI-equipped meters can show hour-by-hour water usage through online account access.
Bill / usage issue | What it means | Best action |
|---|---|---|
Water charge | Charge tied to water usage and applicable rate structure. | Compare current usage with previous months and HomeConnect data if available. |
Sewer charge | Wastewater charge on the monthly utility bill. | Review rate ordinance and call Option 0 for calculation questions. |
Refuse/trash line | ABCWUA bills most curbside refuse on behalf of the City of Albuquerque. | Call Solid Waste, not ABCWUA billing, for trash-rate details. |
Water waste fee | Can be added for confirmed water-waste violation after warning/correction process. | Fix irrigation runoff, overspray or time-of-day watering violations quickly. |
Meter usage spike | Could be leak, irrigation issue, toilet, indoor fixture, yard line or seasonal use. | Check HomeConnect daily/hourly data if AMI-equipped. |
HomeConnect setup | Go to ABCWUA website, choose My Account, create access, then view daily usage under “View Water Usage.” | Use account number from your bill. |
Possible leak | Unusual hour-by-hour pattern can show continuous water use. | Check toilets, irrigation, hose bibs and underground lines before disputing bill. |
Water Emergency or Sewer Emergency
24/7 Dispatch
Call 505-842-WATR, Option 1.
Use this for water/sewer emergencies and emergency water turn-offs.
Water emergency examples
Broken water main, emergency turn-off, major leak, no-water situation tied to active repair, or dangerous water flow.
Sewer emergency examples
Sewer overflow, sewer backup, manhole overflow, wastewater in home or yard, or urgent sewer odor/flow issue.
Problem | Say this | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
Broken water main | “Water is running/bubbling at [exact address/cross street].” | Nearest property, flow direction, street hazard, time started. |
Emergency turn-off | “I need emergency water shutoff at [address].” | Access details, active flooding, whether anyone is inside. |
Sewer backup | “Wastewater is backing up at [fixture/location].” | Home/business address, affected fixture, time started, neighbors affected. |
Sewer overflow/manhole | “There is a sewer overflow/manhole issue at [location].” | Street/cross street, odor, public contact risk, traffic hazard. |
Repair shutoff | “My water is off; is there an emergency repair in my area?” | Address, time water stopped, neighbors affected. |
Safety: avoid contact with wastewater, keep children and pets away, do not stand in flowing street water, and call 911 for life-safety emergencies.
Low-Income Credit, Water Assistance Fund and Shutoff Help
Low Income Credit
For homeowners only. Provides a monthly utility credit up to $33.05 for water, wastewater and solid waste. Participation must be renewed annually.
Water Assistance Fund
One-time emergency help for low-income homeowners or tenants who pay ABCWUA water/sewer bills. Approved applications may receive up to $200.
2026 WAF requirement
Effective January 1, 2026, a Water Authority Turn-Off Notice must have been issued or mailed for upcoming disconnection due to past-due balance.
Help route | Who it is for | Administered by |
|---|---|---|
Low Income Credit Program | Low-income homeowners only. | The Storehouse: 505-842-6491; Rio Grande Food Project: 505-967-8983. |
Water Assistance Fund Grant | Low-income homeowners or tenants who pay Water Authority water/sewer bill and have a turn-off notice. | Rio Grande Food Project and The Storehouse only. |
Local bill assistance agencies | Homeowners or tenants needing help paying water/sewer bills. | Use the official Water Authority assistance page list and call agencies directly. |
Pay Plan | Customers with turn-off warning/water off for non-payment. | Call 505-842-WATR Option 0. |
Delinquency letter stage | Customers not yet in immediate shutoff danger. | Pay extra toward balance if possible and contact Customer Service before turn-off notice stage. |
Water Waste, Watering Restrictions, Rebates and 505Outside
Mandatory time rule
Spray irrigation is considered water waste between 11 AM and 7 PM from April 1 through October 31.
What water waste means
Water waste includes water, other than natural precipitation, flowing or spraying into a public right-of-way, municipal storm drain or adjacent private property.
Conservation help
505Outside provides desert-friendly landscaping, rebates, seasonal watering guidance and water-saving tips for the Albuquerque area.
Situation | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
Sprinklers running midday | Stop spray irrigation between 11 AM and 7 PM, April 1-Oct. 31. | Time-of-day watering violation is water waste. |
Water running into street | Fix broken heads, runoff, overspray, valve leaks or irrigation schedule. | Runoff into right-of-way or adjacent property is water waste. |
Need to report waste | Use online form or call 505-842-WATR Option 5. | Provide address and best day/time to observe. |
Received warning | Correct problem quickly. | Warnings usually give property owner chance to correct before fine. |
Need exemption/variance | Use online services for water waste variance or watering restriction exemption. | Useful when repairs or special circumstances need time. |
Want rebate | Use 505Outside/ABCWUA rebates page. | May reduce water use and long-term bill pressure. |
Rates, Construction Fees, Water Quality and Builder Help
Rate ordinances
Water/sewer charges are governed by Water Authority rate ordinances. The legislation page lists Section 1 Water and Sewer Rates amended May 20, 2026.
2025 Water Quality Report
ABCWUA posts the latest Water Quality Report in English and Spanish with past reports available.
Construction Services
For new water, sanitary sewer or non-potable service, use the intake process and call 505-842-WATR Option 3 for fee questions.
Item | Official detail | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
Water/sewer rate questions | Use Understanding My Bill and Water/Sewer Rate Ordinances. | Call Option 0 if you need account-specific calculation. |
Refuse rates | ABCWUA says call 505-761-8100 for refuse rate information. | Trash is billed on many water bills but handled by Solid Waste. |
Work order fees | May include engineering review fees based on 3.25% of cost of infrastructure becoming a Water Authority asset, plus pro rata fees if owed. | Pay through New Construction before work order is issued. |
Connection permit fees | Small water service two-inch or smaller: $50 per service; sanitary sewer service: $50 per service; public hydrant/manhole/fire line/large service or meter vault: $150 per item. | Fees must be paid before permit release. |
Maps & Records | 505-289-3242 or 505-289-3248. | Use for maps, records and utility-location questions not handled by billing. |
Water quality report | Latest report page lists 2025 Water Quality Report in English and Spanish. | Use report before asking about water-source or contaminant questions. |
Fire hydrant meter program | Use Customer Service / Fire Hydrant Meter Program routes. | Contractors must follow permit conditions and meter-use rules. |
Map: ABCWUA Customer Service Center
Location / route | Address / phone | Use for |
|---|---|---|
Customer Service Center | 1441 Mission Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 | Walk-in customer service, payments, account help. |
Walk-in payment hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM | In-person payment with staff access. |
Contact mailing address | P.O. Box 568, Albuquerque, NM 87103-0568 | General contact/mail correspondence. |
Bill payment mailing address | ABCWUA, P.O. Box 27226, Albuquerque, NM 87125 | Normal mailed bill payments. |
Downtown drop box | 5th & Marquette, by City Hall downtown | Curbside payment drop-off. |
Executive/Administrative Offices | One Civic Plaza NW, Room 5027, Albuquerque, NM 87102 | Administrative office context, not routine billing counter replacement. |
Construction / Utility Development | Plaza Del Sol, 600 2nd Street NW, Suite 201, Albuquerque, NM 87102 | Development, availability, connection permits, work orders and plan-routing context. |
Official ABCWUA Links
Billing and account
How Can I Pay My Bill?
Guest Pay
My Account
Understanding My Bill
Service, emergency and notices
Contact Customer Service
Report Water Emergency
Turn-Off Warning
Tenants / Owners
Help and conservation
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority FAQ
What is the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority phone number?
Call 505-842-WATR or 505-842-9287. Use Option 0 for billing, payments and general account issues; Option 1 for 24-hour water/sewer emergencies; Option 2 to make a phone payment.
How do I pay my ABCWUA bill online?
Use Guest Pay for a one-time payment with your 10-digit account number and 5-digit service ZIP code, or sign in/create a My Account profile for more options such as recurring payments.
Where is the ABCWUA Customer Service Center?
The Customer Service Center is at 1441 Mission Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Walk-in lobby payment hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
What is the emergency number for water or sewer problems?
Call 505-842-WATR and select Option 1. The Dispatch Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for sewer overflows, sewer backups, broken water mains and emergency water turn-offs.
Can a tenant transfer the water account into their name?
ABCWUA says it is a property-based utility and bills the property, not the person. The property owner controls and is responsible for the account. Tenants should work with the landlord or property manager for prorated/final bill or bill-mailing issues.
What should I do if my water is off for non-payment?
Do not turn the water back on yourself. Call 505-842-WATR Option 0. The account generally requires full payment or 75% down in guaranteed funds plus a Pay Plan. Same-day restoration action must be completed by 2:00 PM MT.
Where do I mail an ABCWUA payment?
Mail bill payments to ABCWUA, P.O. Box 27226, Albuquerque, NM 87125. Use faster payment and call Customer Service if the account has a turn-off notice or water is already off.
Does ABCWUA offer low-income bill help?
Yes. The Low Income Credit Program can provide qualifying homeowners up to $33.05 per month. The Water Assistance Fund can provide one-time emergency help up to $200 for qualifying homeowners or tenants who pay ABCWUA water/sewer bills and have a turn-off notice.
What counts as water waste in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County?
Water waste includes water flowing or spraying into a public right-of-way, municipal storm drain or adjacent private property. Spray irrigation between 11 AM and 7 PM from April 1 through October 31 is also considered water waste.
What is HomeConnect?
HomeConnect lets customers with AMI-equipped meters see hour-by-hour water usage through online account access. It can help identify unusual spikes, toilet leaks, irrigation problems and other usage issues before the monthly bill arrives.
30-Second ABCWUA Checklist
Pay: Guest Pay needs 10-digit account number + 5-digit service ZIP code; My Account gives more payment/profile options.
Call: 505-842-WATR — Option 0 billing, Option 1 emergency, Option 2 phone payment, Option 5 water waste.
Water off: do not self-restore; call Option 0 after payment; same-day restoration request must be completed by 2 PM MT.
Tenants: ABCWUA bills the property, not the person; contact landlord/property manager for prorated/final bill and mailed-bill issues.
High usage: check HomeConnect if AMI-equipped, then toilets, irrigation, hose bibs, yard line and water-waste rules.
Office: Customer Service Center, 1441 Mission Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107.
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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