A section of new water main is lowered into a trench stabilized with wood plank walls holding up the sides. We're looking down the length of the trench and into one end of the pipe, which has a raised ring on the end, with holes for bolting it onto the next section all the way around it. Two crane arms are visible in the top right corner, and behind them we see a bit of the Franklin Institute, One and Three Logan Square, and other buildings in the background. Trees with fall foliage line the left side, behind the construction fencing.

Your water bill supports critical infrastructure.

We do not profit from rate increases.
We ask for the amount needed to cover the cost of services we provide.

Below:

New rate information effective September 2023

Water mains carry drinking water across the city.

A section of new water main is lowered into a trench stabilized with wood plank walls holding up the sides. We're looking down the length of the trench and into one end of the pipe, which has a raised ring on the end, with holes for bolting it onto the next section all the way around it. Two crane arms are visible in the top right corner, and behind them we see a bit of the Franklin Institute, One and Three Logan Square, and other buildings in the background. Trees with fall foliage line the left side, behind the construction fencing.

Your water bill supports critical infrastructure.

We do not profit from rate increases.
We ask for the amount needed to cover the cost of services we provide.

Below:

New rate information effective September 2023

Water mains carry drinking water across the city.

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For Translation: call (215) 685-6300

Rate Changes Effective September 2023

On September 1st, 2023, a monthly water bill for a typical residential customer increased by 7.9%.

Effective DateTypical Monthly Bill Total 1
September 1, 2022$69.31
September 1, 2023$74.81

1. We measure usage in cubic feet (cf). You are billed for every 100 cubic feet (or 1 “ccf”) of water used. A typical customer uses 450 cubic feet of water a month and has a 5/8″ meter.

We’re aggressively seeking money from other sources.

The Philadelphia Water Department is working tirelessly to secure federal funding so we can make critical infrastructure investments, reduce pollution in local waterways, and keep all the services we provide affordable for our customers.

Read more →

A PWD work crew wearing orange t-shirts, yellow safety vests, blue jeans, work boots, gloves, and white hardhats working on a sewer lining project in a closed-off Center City street at night.

Our duty is to provide essential water services 24/7.

Sewer lining
This work allows crews to strengthen existing sewers with less disruption to the community.

Our Essential Services

a donut-shaped diagram divided into three sections: Drinking Water (Treatment and delivery), Wastewater (collection and treatment), and Stormwater (storage and management). In the center is a circle that says "Protecting our Waters"

A typical residential bill

A typical bill is based on a customer who uses 450 cubic feet of water (3,366 gallons) per month and has a 5/8″ water meter. A typical senior citizen uses 300 cubic feet of water per month, and eligible seniors may receive a 25 percent discount on their bill. Differences in water usage will result in higher or lower charges.

Usage ChargesTypical Residential
Since Sept. 1, 2022Effective Sept. 1, 2023
Water Usage:
Usage × $(Water Charge + TAP surcharge) / 1,000 cf =		450cf × $(48.96 + 1.03) / 1,000 cf =
$22.50		450cf × $(59.32 + 0.15) / 1,000 cf =
$26.76
Sewer Usage:
Usage × $(Sewer Charge + TAP surcharge) / 1,000 cf =		450cf × $(34.57 + 1.63) / 1,000 cf =
$16.29		450cf × $(37.93 + 0.24) / 1,000 cf =
$17.18
Service Charge for 5/8″ meter
(See Service Charge table for allocation between water and sewer)		$12.47$12.37
Stormwater Charge$18.05$18.50
Total Monthly Bill$69.31$74.81
(Includes Usage, Service & Stormwater Charges and TAP-R Surcharge)
Usage ChargesTypical Senior Citizen
Since Sept. 1, 2022Effective Sept. 1, 2023
Water Usage:
Usage × $(Water Charge + TAP surcharge) / 1,000 cf =		300cf × $(48.96 + 1.03) / 1,000 cf =
$15.00		300cf × $(59.32 + 0.15) / 1,000 cf =
$17.84
Sewer Usage:
Usage × $(Sewer Charge + TAP surcharge) / 1,000 cf =		300cf × $(34.57 + 1.63) / 1,000 cf =
$10.86		300cf × $(37.93 + 0.24) / 1,000 cf =
$11.45
Service Charge for 5/8″ meter
(See Service Charge table for allocation between water and sewer)		$12.47$12.37
Stormwater Charge$18.05$18.50
Total Monthly Bill-($14.10 discount) $42.28-($15.04 discount) $45.12
(Includes Usage, Service & Stormwater Charges and TAP-R Surcharge)
What are TAP Rider surcharges?

“TAP” refers to our Tiered Assistance Program.

The number of customers enrolled and their level of need affect the cost of the program. These costs impact water rates.

What are these other charges?

Service Charges are the monthly fee to have water and sewer services at your property, and are based on the size of your service line.

Check the Service Charge table below for different sizes, and the allocation between water and sewer.

The Stormwater Charge recovers our costs to manage stormwater runoff throughout the city, and is the same for all residential customers.

Non-residential customers can learn more about their stormwater charge on our Stormwater Billing page.

Detailed rates for different usage amounts and meter sizes

Usage: Quantity Charges
Monthly Water UsageWater Usage Charge per MCF
Since Sept. 1, 2022Effective Sept. 1, 2023
First 2 Mcf$48.96$59.32
Next 98 Mcf$44.99$53.37
Next 1900 Mcf$34.85$41.34
Over 2000 Mcf$33.91$40.22
Monthly Water UsageSewer Usage Charge per MCF
Since Sept. 1, 2022Effective Sept. 1, 2023
All Billable Water Usage$34.57$37.93
Usage: TAP Rider (TAP-R) Surcharge Rates
TAP-R Surcharge per Mcf*Since Sept. 1, 2022Effective Sept. 1, 2023
Water TAP-R Surcharge per Mcf*$1.03$0.15
Sewer TAP-R Surcharge per Mcf*$1.63$0.24
* TAP-R Surcharge Rates are added to the Quantity Charge rates. Water TAP-R Surcharge Rate is added to each block rate.
Service: Monthly Charges
Meter Size (inches)Meter CodeService ChargesSince Sept. 1, 2022Effective Sept. 1, 2023
5/8RWater$4.97$5.11
Sewer$7.50$7.26
Combined$12.47$12.37
3/4ZWater$5.37 $5.61
Sewer$9.57$9.27
Combined$14.94$14.88
1QWater$6.57$7.03
Sewer$14.05$13.60
Combined$20.62 $20.63
1-1/2PWater$8.96$9.96
Sewer$24.75$23.96
Combined$33.71$33.92
2XWater$12.59$14.22
Sewer$38.19$35.98
Combined$50.78$51.20
3OWater$20.20$23.32
Sewer$68.87 $66.70
Combined$89.07 $90.02
4WWater$36.45$41.60
Sewer$117.03$113.34
Combined$152.48$154.95
6NWater$68.70$79.10
Sewer$230.71$223.43
Combined$299.41$302.53
8VWater$104.91$121.64
Sewer$365.13$353.59
Combined$470.04$475.23
10EWater$153.42$177.43
Sewer$526.96$510.31
Combined$680.38$687.74
12TWater$253.19$298.75
Sewer$958.27$927.96
Combined$1,211.46$1,226.71
Service: Information for homes with residential fire sprinkler systems
Meter Size (inches)Meter CodeService ChargesSince Sept. 1, 2022Effective Sept. 1, 2023
3/4ZWater$7.22$9.15
Sewer$7.50$7.26
Combined$14.72$16.41
1QWater$8.42$10.57
Sewer$7.50$7.26
Combined$15.92$17.83
1-1/2PWater$10.81$13.50
Sewer$7.50$7.26
Combined$18.31$20.76
2XWater$14.44$17.76
Sewer$7.50$7.26
Combined$21.94$25.02
Wastewater Surcharges
Surcharge applies per pound in excess ofSince Sept. 1, 2022Effective Sept. 1, 2023
Biochemical Oxygen Demand250 mg/l$0.375$0.426
Suspended Solids350 mg/l$0.393$0.432
mg/l = milligrams per liter

Let us help with your bill.

A contact center representative with tightly curled salt-and-pepper hair cut in a bob, wearing a blue polo with the PWD logo above a chest pocket and tortoise-shell glasses hanging from the neck, raspberry-colored lipstick, and silver hoop earrings peeking out from behind a black headset, looks off to the right with a serene expression.
You could qualify for Debt Forgiveness!

Our goal is to help our customers maintain water service, reduce water bill debt, and apply for lower water bills through our Tiered Assistance Program (TAP). You may qualify based on income or special hardships (like high medical bills or the loss of a job). Seniors may also qualify for discounts.

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Sign up for emails or texts to get helpful info and tips about applying for lower water bills.

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City of Philadelphia Water Department

Safety is our top priority.

Photos: JPG Photo & Video, Sahar Coston Hardy © PWD