Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E., today announced that water billing for Baltimore City and Baltimore County will resume on August 7, 2019, marking an end to the disruption caused by a ransomware attack that began May 6.

During the months that bills were not issued, water meters in Baltimore City and County continued to accurately record water consumption. However, due to the network outage, DPW was unable to process this data and produce water bills.

The bills that are being sent will cover water/sewer/storm water charges for April, May, June, and July in Baltimore City, and water charges for Baltimore County. Baltimore City water bills will also reflect a July 1 rate increase which was approved by the Board of Estimates in January.

Because of the inconvenience caused by the billing disruption, late fees have been waived until November 2019.

Explaining the Extended Bill

The first post-ransomware bill will also include a sample bill insert that explains the line items on the bill.

Paying your bill:

Bills can be paid in the following ways: 

Walk-ins (200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202)

Mail (200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202)

Online and Telephone 

Please make checks or money orders payable to “Director of Finance – Baltimore City” and include the account number on the check.

Starting Monday, August 12, the City’s Bureau of Revenue will have staff available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday) to accept Water Bill payments at Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 Holliday St.

In-person DPW Customer Support and Services assistance is available Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 200 Holliday St., Room 8. 

Customers who made payments by check or money order during the outage should see those reflected on their first bill. If not, please gather your receipts or bank statements and notify the Customer Support and Services Division at 410-396-5398 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., or by by visiting the Customer Support Page.

Financial Assistance:

Baltimore City water customers who need additional time to pay off the larger-than-normal water bills can sign up for a monthly payment plan, the Water Bill Payment Program. Monthly payment plans allow customers to make a down payment and pledge to pay off the balance over a 6- month or 12- month period.

Eligible Baltimore City customers may be able to benefit from the Baltimore H₂O Assists program, which offers discounts and fee waivers. The BH₂O Plus program provides an annual grant, spread out over 12 months, that adds additional affordability for customers living at or below 50 percent of the poverty line. Some customers may also be able to take advantage of the Low-Income Grant program to help them get caught up with their bill.

For more information, please call Customer Support and Services Division at 410-396-5398 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., or by visiting the Customer Support Page.