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Customer Service

Payments and Charges

This page explains how to pay your Milwaukee Water Works bill, manage automatic payments, understand late fees, and review miscellaneous charges. You will also find instructions on appealing charges and setting up payment arrangements if needed.

For assistance in Spanish, call Customer Service: (414) 286-2830

Automatic Payments (ACH)

Partial Payment Application

Partial payments are applied in this order, from the oldest outstanding amounts due to current bills:

  1. Water charges
  2. MMSD sewer treatment charges
  3. City sewer charges
  4. Solid waste charges
  5. Snow & ice charges

If your account is paid in full but you make an extra payment, the credit will be applied to the water portion.

Payment Help and Arrangements

If you are unable to pay your bill in full, please call us at (414) 286-2830 to discuss payment options.

Late Payment Charges

  • A late payment charge of 5% per quarter is applied to unpaid water charges.
  • A late payment charge of 3% per quarter is applied to all other unpaid charges.
  • For monthly-billed accounts: 1.67% for unpaid water charges and 1% for other unpaid charges.

Delinquent Accounts and Tax Transfer:

  • Unpaid water and municipal services charges that remain delinquent for 180 days as of October 1 may be transferred to the property tax bill.
  • A 10% transfer fee is added when unpaid balances are moved to the property tax roll.

Service Fees and Charges

Service Fee
Returned payment $35
Interim meter reading (requested by customer) $35 per reading
Copies of bills (over 2 years old) $3 per bill (Open Records request required)
Final bill request $40 per reading
Missed appointment First missed: $0, Additional: $65
Meter reset (5/8", 3/4", 1") $40 (Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), $75 for other times
Water turn-on request $60 (Mon-Fri), $85 (Sat-Sun)

Municipal Services Bill Appeals Process

  • Report disputes: Call Customer Service at (414) 286-2830 before the next billing date.

  • Water or MMSD Charges: If unresolved, call the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) at 800-225-7729.

  • Snow & Ice, Extra Cart, Solid Waste Charges:

  1. Pay the charge under protest by the due date.
  2. File a complaint with the City Commissioner of Public Works within 20 days.
  3. If needed, appeal to the Administrative Review Appeals Board within 30 days of the Commissioner’s decision.

  • Filing fee: $25

  • Refunds are limited to the billing period under appeal

  • Local Sewerage or Storm Water Management Charges: Pay under protest and file a complaint with the Commissioner or call the PSC.