You can pay online by direct debit, set up recurring credit card payments, or make a one-time payment. There are no separate convenience fees.
Learn more about managing Auto Pay.
Pay a Water Bill
You can pay your water bill using any of the following methods:
- Online: Pay through the Wauwatosa Water Utility online portal. You can also view your current balance at any time. You will need your account number and customer number.
- Through your bank: Use your bank’s online bill payment service.
- By mail: Mail a check using the envelope included with your bill.
- In person: Pay at the Treasurer’s Counter at City Hall, 7725 W. North Ave., Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- After hours: Use the secure payment depository at City Hall, located across from the blue mailbox near the employee entrance.
- By phone: Call 414-323-2339.
Payment Due Dates
Water bills are issued quarterly and are mailed on or before the first day of the billing month. Payments must be received by the Treasurer’s Office by the 20th of the month.
A 1% late fee will be added to any unpaid balance each month after the due date. Allow enough time for your payment to be processed, as late fees cannot be waived.
Please note: Mortgage escrow accounts do not pay water bills. You are responsible for paying your water bill directly.
Billing and Rate Information
Learn more about your water bill, including charge explanations and bill summaries.
Monitor Your Water Use
Monitor your water use in real time and get alerts about potential leaks with Eye On Water.
About Our Water
Wauwatosa’s water is supplied by Milwaukee Water Works, which treats and delivers water to the city.
Our drinking water meets federal and state water quality standards and is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Wauwatosa’s water rates are established under the guidance of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
Billing & Rate Information
Note
Water bills are due on the 20th of each month and are mailed to the property owner or resident.
If you need your bill mailed to an address other than the service address, contact us to add a specific name and mailing address to your account. The post office will not forward mail addressed to “Owner or Resident.”
To update your billing information, call (414) 323-2339.
Payment Methods
You have options to pay your water bill:
You can pay at the Treasurer’s Counter at City Hall (7725 W North Ave) between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
You can drop your payment anytime in the secure payment depository at City Hall, near the employee entrance.
Pay your water bill using bill pay through your bank. Please allow enough time for processing by your bank to avoid any late payment charges.
Mail your check using the enclosed envelope and include your account and customer numbers.
Call (414) 323-2339 to pay over the phone.
Late Fees
- A 1% late payment charge is applied to any outstanding balance on the 21st of each month.
- Any unpaid balance as of September 21 is considered delinquent.
- If a delinquent balance is not paid by November 1, a 10% penalty is applied to the account.
- If the total delinquent balance is not paid by November 15, it is transferred to the property tax bill.
Bill Summaries
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission must approve rate increase requests made by the City.
Charges Explained
- Water Service: A fixed charge based on the size of the water meter at your property.
- Water Usage: A charge based on the amount of water you use, as measured by quarterly meter readings.
- Public Fire Protection: A fixed charge based on the size of your water meter. This charge helps cover the cost of maintaining the water system’s capacity to quickly deliver large amounts of water for firefighting. This includes a portion of the costs for pumps, storage facilities, water mains, hydrants, and the estimated amount of water used for firefighting.
- Private Fire Protection: A fixed charge for an unmetered connection to the water main that supplies a private fire protection system, such as a sprinkler system or private fire hydrants.
The City sets local sewer rates. Some charges on your sewer bill are set and collected by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD)
Charges Explained
- Local Sewer Usage: A charge based on your water usage that helps pay for maintenance of the sanitary sewer system.
For residential properties with one or two families, the Local Sewer Usage charge is based on your winter-quarter water usage from the previous year. We use winter water usage because we recognize that some water used during warmer months does not enter the sanitary sewer. For example, water used to water lawns and gardens, wash cars, or fill swimming pools may not enter the sanitary sewer.
Your winter-quarter usage is based on your billing district:
| District | Quarterly Bill Dates | Winter-quarter usage used for the following year’s sewer charges |
| District 1 | March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1 | March 1 bill |
| District 2 | January 1, April 1, July 1, October 1 | April 1 bill |
| District 3 | February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1 | May 1 bill |
If you had a water leak during the winter and have since repaired it, or your household now has fewer occupants, contact the Water Utility to discuss your sewer usage.
New customers: If you do not have a previous winter quarter on record, we use default usage of 12 CCF for a single-family home or 20 CCF for a duplex. If your actual water usage is lower than the default, contact water@wauwatosa.gov.
MMSD charges
- Sewer Usage: A charge based on your water usage that covers the cost of treating wastewater.
- Sewer Connection: A fixed charge for connecting your property to the sanitary sewer system.
- Storm Water Usage: A fixed charge based on the amount of impervious area on your property, such as pavement, driveways, and roofs. This charge helps pay for maintenance of the storm sewer system.
Current Utility Rates
General Metered Water Service (Mg-1) Charges - Effective 7/01/2026
- Quarterly Service Charges
| Meter Size | Charge |
|---|---|
| 5/8" and 3/4" Meter | $20.61 |
| 1" Meter | $33.99 |
| 1 1/4" Meter | $46.35 |
| 1 1/2" Meter | $59.73 |
| 2" Meter | $89.61 |
| 3" Meter | $142.14 |
| 4" Meter | $216.30 |
| 6" Meter | $370.80 |
| 8" Meter | $576.81 |
| 10" Meter | $808.56 |
| 12" Meter | $1,055.76 |
- Quarterly Volume Charge
Charges are per 100 cubic feet (CCF)
(748 gallons = 1 ccf)
| Volume | Charge |
|---|---|
| First 100 ccf | $5.36 |
| Next 400 ccf | $5.25 |
| Over 500 ccf | $4.94 |
General Unmetered Water Service (Ug-1)
Charge per billing period (17 ccf, 12,716 gal) of $88.40
Public Fire Protection Service (Fd-1)
| Meter Size | Quarterly Charge |
|---|---|
| 5/8" and 3/4" | $16.47 |
| 1" | $41.73 |
| 1 1/4" | $61.80 |
| 1 1/2" | $82.41 |
| 2" | $131.85 |
| 3" | $245.13 |
| 4" | $411.99 |
| 6" | $822.96 |
| 8" | $1,311.18 |
| 10" | $1,975.53 |
| 12" | $2,633.70 |
Unmetered Private Fire Protection Service (Upf-1)
| Connection Size | Quarterly Charge |
|---|---|
| 2" | $15.00 |
| 3" | $27.00 |
| 4" | $45.00 |
| 6" | $91.00 |
| 8" | $145.00 |
| 10" | $217.00 |
| 12" | $289.00 |
| 14" | $362.00 |
| 16" | $434.00 |
Special Water Rate Schedules
- Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (Mg-1S1)
Charges are $1.56 per 100 cubic feet (CCF) used.
- Public Service (Mpa-1)
We bill public service charges at the Schedule Mg-1 rates. These services include:
- Sewer flushing
- Street cleaning
- Skating rinks
MMSD Connection Rate
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District rates include a quarterly connection charge of:
- $16.41 for residential customers
- $15.00 for all others
Flow charges are:
- $2.4842 per 100 cubic feet for residential customers
- $2.33119 for all others
Local Sewer Rates (Effective 2-1-21)
Local rates are charged quarterly per 100 cubic feet.
| Amount | Charge |
|---|---|
| First 50 CCF | $3.3115 |
| Next 150 CCF | $4.9672 |
| Over 200 CCF | $6.6229 |
Storm Water has a quarterly equivalent residential unit (ERU) charge of $35.63 per ERU.
Other Charges
| Fee Type | Description | Charges |
|---|---|---|
|
Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) Fee |
Issued when a payment rendered for utility service is returned for non-sufficient funds. |
$30.00 |
|
Special Billing Charge |
Issued to cover administrative expenses whenever an existing customer or the property owner requests a special billing outside of the normal utility billing. This charge may not be assessed to a new customer. |
$30.00 |
|
Special Meter Reading Charge |
Issued when an existing customer or the property owner requests a special meter reading on a date other than the regularly scheduled meter reading. This charge may not be assessed if the customer or the property owner provides the meter reading. This charge may not be assessed to a new customer. |
$50.00 |
|
Non-Standard Meter Service (NSM-1) |
Issued when a customer has service under Schedule Mg-1 and requests a non-standard meter. |
$50.18 / qtr |
|
Reconnection Charges (R-1) |
Reconnection Charges (R-1) are for the reinstallation of a meter, including turning the valve at the curb stop. The charge is $65 during business hours and $95 after business hours. |
$65 / $95 |
Special Water Services
- Seasonal customers are customers who request disconnection of water and later resume service at the same location within 12 months.
- We bill seasonal customers the applicable service charges under Schedule Mg-1 year round, including the period of temporary disconnection.
- Seasonal service includes customers taking service under Schedule Mg-1 or Schedule Ug-1.
- Upon reconnection, we apply a charge under Schedule R-1 and require payment of any unpaid charges under this schedule.
Water usage over minimum volume charges is billed at Mg-1 scheduled rates.
Hydrant Permit
Water usage over minimum volume charges is billed at Mg-1 scheduled rates.
Hydrant Permit - Hydrant Meter Use
- Hydrant Meter Deposit – $250
- Minimum Volume Charge (17 ccf, 12,716 gallons) – $88.40
- Setting Charge – $65
- We charge for the actual cost of installing a water service lateral from the main through the service valve.
- Taps up to 2″ – $825
Note: In addition to tapping the water main, the contractor supplies all necessary approved materials including corporation, curb stop, and box. - Taps larger than 2″ – $560
- Note: In addition to tapping the water main, the contractor supplies all necessary approved materials. We require an approved two piece stainless steel heavy duty tapping sleeve with slip through bolts and a resilient wedge gate valve.