City of Detroit Water Department – Pay Bill, Contact & Services Guide

Detroit Water Department Quick Facts

Choose the Detroit Water Task You Need

DWSD customers usually come here for one urgent task. Pick the closest situation first, because paying a bill, applying for Lifeline H2O, filing a sewer backup claim, and closing an account all use different steps.

How to Pay Your Detroit Water and Sewerage Bill Online

The most useful online tool is the DWSD Customer Self-Service Portal. DWSD says customers can use portal services for autopay, scheduled payments, payment plans and monitoring water usage. The portal also helps users access their account, view and print bills, see water usage and pay bills.

1. Open the official customer portal.
   Use DWSD Customer Self-Service Portal or start from the official DWSD Billing and Payments page.
2. Register only if your name is on the bill.
   DWSD portal guidance says customers whose name is on the DWSD bill can register. If your name is not on the bill, call customer service.
3. Check account, balance and usage before paying.
   Review the service address, current balance and recent usage so you do not pay the wrong account or miss a high-usage warning.
4. Choose your payment or plan option.
   Depending on your account, the portal may support payment, autopay, scheduled payment, and payment plan features.
5. Save confirmation.
   Keep the receipt, confirmation number or screenshot until payment is reflected on your account.

Official DWSD Payment and Account Options

Detroit gives customers multiple ways to manage bills. Use the right one based on whether the bill is normal, past due, part of a plan, or connected to an assistance application.

Detroit Lifeline H2O: Best First Step for Income-Based Water Affordability

Lifeline H2O is DWSD’s income-based water affordability plan. DWSD explains that qualifying customers can receive a low fixed monthly bill at less than 3% of average annual household income, and the updated program may make bills as low as $34 per month.

Prepare before applying or calling

• DWSD account number and service address.
• Household income documents, if required by the program administrator.
• Proof that you live at the service address.
• Any shutoff notice, past-due notice or current bill.
• Contact information that you check regularly.

DWSD EasyPay: Past-Due Balance Help with $10 Down

EasyPay is different from Lifeline H2O. DWSD describes EasyPay as a plan for Detroit residents who have difficulty paying past-due water and sewerage bills. The program has no income restrictions and was announced with a low $10 down payment and remaining past-due balance spread over 36 months.

1. Check whether Lifeline H2O applies first.
   If you may qualify for income-based affordability, review Lifeline H2O before choosing a regular past-due repayment plan.
2. Open the EasyPay information page.
   Use the official DWSD EasyPay Plan page.
3. Enroll through the portal or phone.
   DWSD EasyPay materials say customers can log in through the Customer Self-Service Portal or call 313-267-8000 and say “EasyPay.”
4. Plan for current bill plus installment.
   Your monthly amount may include the current bill plus the EasyPay installment on the past-due balance.
5. Save plan terms.
   Keep a copy of the enrollment confirmation, monthly installment amount and payment due date.

Sewer Backup, Overflow or Damage Claim: What Detroit Customers Must Do

Sewer backups are not just billing questions. DWSD says customers should contact DWSD at 313-267-8000 or use the Improve Detroit mobile app when an overflow or sewer backup is discovered. If you need to file a damage claim, DWSD says a service request number is required and the claim must be filed within 45 days of discovery.

1. Stop using water if sewage is backing up.
   Avoid using toilets, sinks, showers, laundry and dishwashers until the issue is assessed.
2. Report the issue immediately.
   Call DWSD or use the Improve Detroit app. Ask for and write down the service request number.
3. Document damage safely.
   Take photos or videos from a safe location. Avoid direct contact with sewage.
4. Separate damaged items if possible.
   Follow DWSD guidance for debris and cleanup documentation.
5. File the written claim within the required window.
   DWSD damage claim information says written claims must be filed within 45 days of discovery.

Start, Transfer, Move Out or Turn Off Detroit Water Service

DWSD service changes depend on whether you are the owner, tenant, authorized user, landlord, buyer or seller. DWSD says authorized account holders can request move-out, closing meter readings and/or water turn-off. New service requests can be completed through the Customer Self-Service Portal using the Application for Water & Sewer Service.

High Detroit Water Bill Checklist

DWSD portal access can help you find usage patterns before calling customer service. A high bill may be caused by a running toilet, continuous flow, a hidden leak, drainage charges, sewerage charges, past-due balance, tenant change or property issue.

Have this ready before calling DWSD

• DWSD account number and service address.
• Current bill and previous bills.
• Portal usage screenshots or notes showing unusual usage dates.
• Any payment plan, Lifeline H2O or EasyPay enrollment details.
• Photos, plumber invoice or repair proof if there was a leak.
• Tenant, landlord, sale, vacancy or move-out details if the property status changed.

Water Emergencies, Street Flooding, Manholes, Hydrants and Basement Water

DWSD water quality reports and emergency guidance tell customers to report emergencies such as water main breaks, street flooding, missing manhole covers, broken fire hydrants and water in the basement by calling DWSD at 313-267-8000. Mobile users may also use the Improve Detroit app or online reporting.

Water Quality, Lead, Drainage Charges and DWSD Resources

Detroit water customers may need resources beyond bill payment. DWSD provides water quality reports, lead and drinking water information, drainage charge details, damage claim guidance, landlord-tenant information and customer service resources.

Official Detroit Water Department Links

Use these official DWSD resources for payments, portal access, assistance, emergencies, claims and account changes.

Map to DWSD Main Office Building

The DWSD Main Office Building is the Water Board Building at 735 Randolph Street, Detroit, MI 48226. For many account tasks, calling 313-267-8000 or using the customer portal may be faster than visiting in person.

Detroit Water Department FAQs

Editorial Review and Disclaimer

This replacement article was rewritten to focus on verified Detroit Water and Sewerage Department resources, including DWSD billing, customer portal, Lifeline H2O, EasyPay, water/sewer emergencies, service changes and sewer backup claims.

WaterBillGuide.us is not DWSD or the City of Detroit and does not process payments, access accounts, approve assistance, file claims, dispatch crews or make billing decisions. For account-specific help, contact DWSD directly.

Official resources checked include DWSD Billing and Payments, DWSD Customer Service, Customer Self-Service Portal, Lifeline H2O, EasyPay, Water and Sewer Maintenance/Emergencies, Damage Claims & Sewage Backups, Start/Transfer/Turn Off Water Service and DWSD Main Office resources.