Albuquerque Bernalillo Water Utility Authority 2026 Guide

How to Pay Your Albuquerque Water Bill Online

The Water Authority offers Guest Pay for a one-time transaction and registered online accounts for additional options, including recurring payments. The payment page is available directly from the utility’s official website.

1. Open the payment page. Visit ABCWUA Ways to Pay Your Bill.
2. Choose a payment option. Select Guest Pay for a one-time payment or choose Sign In / Create Profile to manage an online account.
3. Enter your account details. For Guest Pay, use the Water Authority account number and ZIP code associated with the account.
4. Review the bill. Confirm the account and amount due before proceeding.
5. Select an accepted payment method. Enter the payment details requested by the authorized processor.
6. Check the total. Review any fees or conditions shown on the payment confirmation screen.
7. Submit the payment. Save the confirmation number and check your account history before attempting a second payment.

If you cannot locate your account number or the payment page does not recognize it, call 505-842-9287 and select Option 0.

Water Authority Login and Online Account Registration

The Water Authority’s customer account portal is accessible through the My Account link on ABCWUA.org.

Registered users can view current and previous bills, choose electronic bill delivery, manage recurring payments and review available water consumption information.

Log In to Your Account

1. Visit the official Water Authority website.
2. Choose My Account in the top menu.
3. Select the customer portal sign-in option.
4. Enter your registered username or email address and password, as requested.
5. Open your account dashboard to review bills, payments or usage details.

Create a New Online Profile

1. Open the Water Authority website and click My Account.
2. Choose the option to create an online account.
3. Have your Water Authority account number available.
4. Enter the requested account and identity information.
5. Set up your profile and password.
6. Complete any verification required by the portal.
7. Sign in and confirm that your water account is linked correctly.

What if You Forgot Your Login?

Use the recovery option displayed on the customer portal. If the account cannot be located, contact Water Authority Customer Service at 505-842-9287, Option 0.

For assistance with digital accounts and tracking water use, see the official HomeConnect guide.

How to View or Download Your Water Bill

ABCWUA offers paper statements, online bill viewing and paperless email delivery.

View a Bill Without Registering

1. Open ABCWUA See My Bill.
2. Choose Guest Pay.
3. Enter your Water Authority account number.
4. Enter the ZIP code required by the payment system.
5. Open the available bill image and review the charges.

Sign Up for Paperless Billing

1. Sign in through My Account.
2. Open the Bill Statement Delivery section.
3. Select Paperless by Email.
4. Confirm the email address and delivery preference.
5. Save the change.

The Water Authority states that choosing paperless email delivery stops mailed paper bills. You can change the preference back to paper delivery later.

Other Ways to Pay Your ABCWUA Water Bill

Customers who prefer not to pay online can use automatic bank draft, phone payment, mail, a drop box, an in-person customer service center or a participating Western Union location.

Pay Your Water Bill by Phone

1. Call 505-842-9287.
2. Select Option 2 for telephone payments.
3. Enter your Water Authority account information.
4. Follow the prompts to select an available payment method.
5. Review the payment amount and any applicable transaction charge.
6. Complete the payment and retain the confirmation.

Pay by Mail

Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
PO Box 27226
Albuquerque, NM 87125

Include your bill stub and write the account number on your check or money order. Do not mail cash.

Important: The payment mailing address is different from the Water Authority’s general correspondence address.

Pay at the Customer Service Center

Water Authority Customer Service
1441 Mission Avenue NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107

Lobby hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.

Directions to the Water Authority Customer Service Center

Payment Drop Boxes

• 1441 Mission Avenue NE, Albuquerque.
• 5th Street and Marquette Avenue, near downtown City Hall.

For current details, visit the Water Authority payment page.

Set Up Automatic Bank Draft or Recurring Payments

The Water Authority offers monthly bank drafts that debit your bank account for the full bill amount. Registered portal users can also manage available recurring payment options.

Enroll in Automatic Payments

1. Visit ABCWUA Customer Service.
2. Find Set Up a Bank Draft under the customer service options.
3. Review the enrollment instructions.
4. Provide the requested utility account and banking information through the authorized process.
5. Submit the authorization.
6. Confirm when the first automatic withdrawal is scheduled.
7. Continue checking your account until the draft arrangement is active.

If using the online portal, open the recurring payments section after signing in and follow the instructions shown.

To avoid a missed payment, do not assume an automatic draft is active immediately after submitting the enrollment form.

Water Disconnected for Nonpayment? How to Restore Service

ABCWUA publishes a specific process for customers whose water has already been shut off because of nonpayment.

Same-day restoration deadline: 2:00 PM Mountain Time.

Follow These Steps

1. Open the official payment page. Visit ABCWUA Ways to Pay.
2. Select the one-time payment option. The Water Authority directs disconnected customers to make a debit or credit card payment through this route.
3. Complete the required payment. Review the account balance and payment details.
4. Save the payment confirmation. Keep the reference number available.
5. Call Customer Service. Dial 505-842-9287 and notify the Water Authority that payment has been made.
6. Confirm the turn-on request. The utility requires customers to agree to its disclaimer and confirm that a restoration request has been submitted.
7. Check the time. The completed request must be submitted before 2:00 PM Mountain Time for same-day restoration.

Requests completed after the 2:00 PM cutoff are scheduled for the next business day under the utility’s published instructions.

For other turn-off warnings or payment arrangements, see ABCWUA Customer Service or call Option 0.

New Water Service, Moving and Property Ownership

ABCWUA has an important account policy that differs from many municipal utilities: it is a property-based utility.

The Water Authority states that it does not normally start, stop or transfer service when tenants or owners move. It bills the property rather than opening and closing accounts in a person’s name.

If You Are Renting

1. Confirm that the property receives service from the Water Authority.
2. Ask the landlord or property manager who receives the water bill.
3. Arrange responsibility for utility payments according to your lease.
4. If you need a final or prorated bill, contact the owner or property manager.
5. If you want bills mailed to you, ask the property owner to arrange the mailing preference.
6. If authorized, you can arrange a bank draft from your own checking or savings account.

If You Are Buying a Home

When a property is sold, the title company or the buyer and seller generally handle the final utility bill and prorations as part of closing.

The property owner shown in Bernalillo County Clerk records has control and responsibility for the water account.

New owners can request mailing-address changes, enroll in Budget Billing and manage online profile access.

If You Are Selling a Home

1. Notify your title company that the property has an ABCWUA utility account.
2. Ask the title company to obtain the proper payoff balance.
3. Review how water and sewer charges will be prorated at closing.
4. After the transaction, update or remove the property from your personal online payment profile as appropriate.

Official instructions: New Service for Tenants or Owners.

New Construction or a Property Without Existing Service

A newly constructed home, commercial building or property requiring a new water or sanitary sewer connection uses a different process.

1. Open ABCWUA New Construction.
2. Complete the required Intake Form.
3. Submit the property and proposed service information.
4. Wait for review by the Utility Development Group.
5. Follow the instructions regarding availability, permits and applicable infrastructure charges.
6. Contact Construction Services at 505-842-9287, Option 3, for fee and permit questions.

An Intake Form is not needed merely to reestablish an existing service, according to the Water Authority.

2026 Water and Sewer Rates in Albuquerque

ABCWUA establishes its water and wastewater rates through ordinances adopted by the Water Authority Board. The governing rate ordinance was amended on May 20, 2026, under Ordinance O-26-1.

Monthly bills can contain several separate components, including water service charges, water consumption, sewer service, wastewater charges and refuse collection billed for the City of Albuquerque.

What Determines Your Water Bill?

• Meter size and service classification: Affects fixed charges.
• Water consumption: Based on measured usage and the applicable rate structure.
• Seasonal and conservation charges: Higher usage may affect rate calculations under the applicable ordinance.
• Wastewater service: Separate charges for the sewer system.
• Refuse collection: May be included on the bill for the city.
• Additional adjustments: Account credits, fees, extra carts or water-waste charges may appear.

A single flat residential rate does not describe every Water Authority account. Rates and service classifications should be checked against the actual 2026 ordinance rather than estimated from an earlier utility bill.

How to Verify Your Current Rate

1. Open Water Authority Legislation & Ordinances.
2. Find Section 1 – Water and Sewer Rates.
3. Open the ordinance amended May 20, 2026, identified as O-26-1.
4. Review the relevant customer class, meter size and consumption charges.
5. Compare the applicable rates with the line items on your current statement.
6. For help identifying the correct charges, call 505-842-9287, Option 0.

The detailed rate figures are not reproduced here because they vary by classification and billing component. The official ordinance is the appropriate source for current charges.

Understanding the Water, Sewer and Trash Charges on Your Bill

ABCWUA bills water, sewer and, for most customers, curbside refuse collection on a single monthly statement.

The statement also contains meter information and a breakdown of water usage.

Who Handles Trash Bill Questions?

Although trash charges may appear on a Water Authority bill, solid-waste questions should go to the responsible collection agency.

City of Albuquerque Solid Waste: 505-761-8100
Bernalillo County Solid Waste: 505-224-1639

For water and sewer billing questions, call ABCWUA at 505-842-9287, Option 0.

Official explanation: Understanding My Bill.

Check Water Usage and Find Possible Leaks With HomeConnect

ABCWUA offers HomeConnect for customers whose water meters support Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). The feature lets eligible users review detailed water consumption between monthly billing statements.

With a compatible meter, customers can check hour-by-hour usage information and identify patterns that might suggest a plumbing or irrigation leak.

How to Access Water Usage Information

1. Visit the official HomeConnect page.
2. Open the Water Authority website’s My Account option.
3. Register your account if you have not already done so.
4. Enter your Water Authority account number when requested.
5. Sign in and select View Water Usage.
6. Review the available daily or hourly consumption information.
7. Look for continuous or unusually high usage that may indicate a leak.

What to Check if Your Water Bill Suddenly Increases

• Running toilets and leaking flappers.
• Dripping indoor faucets.
• Broken sprinkler heads or underground irrigation lines.
• Outdoor faucets left running.
• Unusual overnight water use when everyone is asleep.
• Changes in the number of occupants or outdoor watering habits.

Not every customer has a compatible AMI meter. If detailed usage is unavailable, contact Customer Service about meter information and account records.

2026 Albuquerque Watering Restrictions and Water Waste Rules

The Water Authority has seasonal outdoor watering restrictions to reduce water waste in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County.

Mandatory spray-irrigation restriction: April 1 through October 31, spray irrigation is prohibited between 11 AM and 7 PM.

Exceptions exist for drip irrigation, low-precipitation bubblers, hand watering and certain containerized plants, as specified by the ordinance.

Recommended Watering Frequency

This recommendation is known as Water by the Numbers. It uses a 1-2-3-2-1 seasonal pattern rather than assigning every household a mandatory watering day.

The mandatory time-of-day restriction still applies from April through October.

How to Avoid Water Waste Violations

1. Set automatic spray irrigation to run outside the prohibited daytime period.
2. Check irrigation timers after power outages or seasonal time changes.
3. Keep sprinkler spray on landscaped areas rather than sidewalks and streets.
4. Repair irrigation leaks and broken sprinkler heads.
5. Use a shutoff nozzle when hand watering or washing vehicles.
6. Turn off sprinklers when rainfall provides enough moisture.

Official guidance: Water by the Numbers.

Request a Watering Restriction Exemption

Customers with qualifying circumstances, such as establishing new turf or recovering from certain irrigation-system failures, may request a time-of-day exemption or variance.

1. Open Watering Variances & Exemptions.
2. Identify the exemption that matches your situation.
3. Review the eligibility and duration requirements.
4. Submit the online form with the requested details.
5. Wait for approval before using an exemption from normal restrictions.

For assistance, call 505-842-9287, Option 4.

2026 Low-Income Water Bill Assistance

ABCWUA provides financial assistance programs for qualifying low-income customers. Homeowners and tenants have different eligibility routes.

Low Income Credit Program for Homeowners

The Low Income Credit program provides eligible homeowners with a monthly utility credit of up to $33.05 for water, wastewater and solid-waste charges.

Participation must be renewed every year.

Water Assistance Fund Grants

Effective January 1, 2026, the Water Assistance Fund offers eligible low-income homeowners and tenants one-time emergency assistance of up to $200.

For 2026, an important eligibility condition is that the Water Authority must have issued or mailed a turn-off notice informing the customer of an upcoming disconnection caused by an overdue balance.

How to Apply for Assistance

1. Visit ABCWUA Help for Low Income Customers.
2. Determine whether the Low Income Credit or Water Assistance Fund applies to your household.
3. Review the current income, residency and account requirements.
4. Contact one of the program administrators listed below.
5. Prepare the requested bill, identification, income records and turn-off notice if applicable.
6. Complete the agency’s application process.
7. Confirm whether payment arrangements are also needed while the application is under review.

Report a Water Main Break, Sewer Backup or Emergency

The Water Authority operates a 24-hour dispatch center for water and sewer emergencies.

Emergency phone: 505-842-9287, Option 1.

Customers should use this number for urgent water main breaks, sewer overflows, backups and emergency water turn-off requests.

How to Report a Problem

1. Determine whether the problem affects only your property or several nearby properties.
2. Identify the nearest address or intersection.
3. Check for visible water escaping from the street, damaged pavement or sewer overflow.
4. Call 505-842-9287.
5. Select Option 1 for water and sewer emergencies.
6. Explain the location, type of problem and when it started.
7. Follow the dispatcher’s safety instructions.

Starting August 24, 2026, the Water Authority also began offering emergency reporting through its Ripple chatbot on the official website.

For urgent problems, calling the dispatch center remains a direct reporting option.

Official emergency information: Water Emergencies & Sewer Emergencies.

Albuquerque Water Authority Contact Directory

Customer Service Office

Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
1441 Mission Avenue NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107

Lobby hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.

Directions to ABCWUA Customer Service

General Correspondence Address

Water Authority
PO Box 568
Albuquerque, NM 87103-0568

For bill payments by mail, use the separate remittance address: PO Box 27226, Albuquerque, NM 87125.

Additional contact information is available at ABCWUA Contact Customer Service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Albuquerque Bernalillo Water Authority Resources

• Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority Official Website
• Official Bill Payment Methods and Guest Pay
• View Bills and Paperless Billing
• Understanding Water, Sewer and Refuse Charges
• Tenants, Owners, Moving and Property Transfers
• New Construction and Connection Applications
• 2026 Rate Ordinances and Water Regulations
• HomeConnect Water Consumption Monitoring
• Low-Income Utility Bill Assistance Programs
• Water by the Numbers Conservation Schedule
• Watering Restriction Exemptions
• 24-Hour Water and Sewer Emergency Reporting
• Customer Service Phone Numbers and Office Information

Information reviewed: October 24, 2026. Payment methods, contact numbers, utility procedures and assistance details are based on official Water Authority publications. Current 2026 water and sewer charges should be verified against Ordinance O-26-1 and the customer’s account classification.

Independent publication notice: WaterUtilities.org is an independent information website and is not affiliated with or operated by the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. This guide does not accept bill payments, access private utility accounts or dispatch water service crews. Complete payments and service requests through the official Water Authority website.