How can I avoid water shut-off?
Water shut off can be avoided by:
- paying the water bill in full,
- making a water payment agreement,
- applying for low income (restrictions do apply), and/or
- in some cases offering a medical hardship (restrictions do apply)
You Should Know:
Residential customers are currently protected from shutoff through July 18, 2022. But unpaid bills will continue to grow.
Water shutoffs will be sent out starting June 13.If the account is scheduled for shut-off within the next (5) five days, it is not recommended to use the Internet or the recorded telephone system to make payments, as payments can take three to five days to post.
If the account is in shut-off status, it is not recommended to pay the bill at any of the various check cashing agencies throughout the city (drug stores, supermarkets), as they are not "authorized" payment centers and there may be a delay in the payment's posting.
In addition to suspending shutoffs, Philadelphia strengthened assistance programs over the last two years to include options like debt forgiveness and expanded payment agreements that make catching up easier.
New policy changes now in effect include:
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The level of delinquency that triggers a shutoff notice has been raised from $150 to $1,000.
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Customers who have applied for Customer Assistance are exempt from shutoff.
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As an additional safeguard, the City will use internal data to match enrollment data from other low-income assistance programs and provide exemptions to those households.
Further Information:
If the water is off, call (215) 685-6300. 
