Water Billing

Final readings must be scheduled with the Water Billing Department. The bill will be available after 12 p.m. the business day following the appointment. When Final Bills are processed, customers are automatically canceled from Automatic Bill Pay.

The budget billing program allows you to make monthly payments on your water bill, reducing fluctuations in your personal budget. This also helps by eliminating penalties for late payments. 

• We will take the usage of your last four quarterly bills calculated at the current rates and the flat charges and divide it by 12. If you have a past-due balance, this will be calculated similarly and added to your monthly payment. 
• After 12 months, your account will be re-analyzed and you will be notified of your new budget amount. 
• When you elect the budget billing option, you must have your monthly payment directly debited from your bank account. 

Enroll by filling out the Automatic Payment Form (PDF). Once completed, return the form to the water department along with a voided check. We will contact you regarding your payment amount if you mail in the form. 

If you are not the home owner, we will need owner approval for any past-due balances being rolled into the budgeted amount.

Please complete our E-Bill form (PDF) to go paperless and receive your quarterly water bill by e-mail. Just complete the form and return it to the Water Billing Department. 

If you already receive your water bill via e-mail, you can use this form to change your e-mail address with the city, if necessary, or to stop e-billing.

All water registered at the inside water meter will be charged to the account. 

The Great Lakes Water Authority, the regional water authority that includes the City of Detroit, Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties and the State of Michigan, offers an assistance program to qualifying low-income retail customers. 

• Water Residential Assistance Program Fact Sheet (PDF)

You can contact the GLWA directly at 313-386-9727 for more information.