Independent utility guide: WaterDepartmentGuide.org is not the City of Bartlesville. This page explains the City’s published new-account and water-service-connection procedures. Deposits, construction charges, rates and same-day availability can change, so confirm cost-sensitive work directly with Utility Billing or Water Utilities before paying or beginning construction.
Bartlesville Water Department: New Service Connection & Account Setup 2026
Bartlesville, Oklahoma • New water service 2026
New Accounts Must Be Opened In Person at Bartlesville City Hall
If you are moving into a property that already has a City water meter, the City of Bartlesville requires the new utility account to be established in person at City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Avenue.
Bring your service address, driver’s license, Social Security number, lease/rental agreement or proof of ownership, and required deposit. The City says account setup normally takes about 10 minutes.
Water can typically be connected the same day when the account is established before 1 p.m., but same-day activation is not guaranteed. An adult resident must be present when service is turned on because an open faucet could cause property damage.
Start here
Bartlesville New Water Service Quick Facts
Existing connected property
How to Apply for Bartlesville Water Service
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Confirm the property already has City water service
If the home has an existing City meter and has previously received municipal water, you normally need a customer account setup rather than construction of a new service line.
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Go to City Hall in person
New accounts must be established at 401 S. Johnstone Avenue, Bartlesville. The City’s current instructions do not offer ordinary first-time account setup entirely online.
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Bring the required identification and occupancy documents
Have your driver’s license, Social Security number, lease/rental agreement or proof of ownership, and service-address information ready.
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Pay the required utility deposit
Residential deposits are risk-based. Commercial deposits depend on meter size.
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Request the connection date
If the account is established before 1 p.m., the City says water can typically be connected that day, although same-day service is not guaranteed.
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Be at the property when service is activated
The resident must be present when new service is turned on because water could damage the property if an indoor faucet or plumbing fixture was left open.
That is the City’s published estimate for establishing the account when you arrive with the required information and deposit.
Do not arrive empty-handed
What You Need to Open a Bartlesville Water Account
Bring These Items
- Service/property address
- Driver’s license
- Social Security number
- Lease or rental agreement if renting
- Proof of ownership if you own the property
- Required utility deposit
Before You Leave City Hall
- Confirm the customer name
- Confirm the exact service address
- Confirm the deposit amount
- Ask whether same-day connection is available
- Confirm someone will be at the property
- Ask when the first monthly bill should arrive
Because this is sensitive personal information, provide it directly to the City through its approved in-person process rather than sending it to an unofficial website or third party.
Account security deposit
Bartlesville Water Deposit Amounts
The City says every utility account must have a deposit. Residential deposits are based on the customer’s individual credit-risk classification.
Commercial Accounts
Commercial deposits depend on meter size. The City’s current Water Service FAQ says commercial deposits begin at $125 for a 5/8-inch meter.
Ask Utility Billing for the current deposit when opening a larger-meter commercial account.
What Happens to the Deposit Later?
The City says the deposit is:
- Credited toward the customer’s final bill when the account closes, or
- Transferred to a new local address when the customer moves within the Bartlesville system.
The City does not refund the deposit while service remains connected.
Need water quickly?
Can Bartlesville Connect Water the Same Day?
Arrive Early
Complete the account before the City’s 1 p.m. same-day guideline.
Resident Present
Plan for an adult resident to be at the property when City staff turn the service on.
Allow Flexibility
Field workload, emergencies or operational conditions can push activation to another time.
If uninterrupted water is essential, open the account as early as practical and confirm the expected field-service timing with Utility Billing.
New construction / no existing meter
New Physical Bartlesville Water Service Connection
If the property does not already have an approved meter and service line, ordinary account setup is not enough. Bartlesville’s Water Distribution Department installs new service lines and City-approved meters.
Bartlesville’s current municipal code states that no private line may be connected or tapped into a City water main unless a meter is installed by the City Water Department at the tap or connection location.
Current codified service installation charges
| Water Service Connection Size | Codified Installation Charge | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| 5/8″ or 3/4″ | $650 | Water main to meter location |
| 1″ | $750 | Water main to meter location |
| 1½″ | $1,300 | Water main to meter location |
| 2″ | $1,950 | Water main to meter location |
| Over 2″ | Cost + 15% | Minimum $1,950 |
| Radar Hill system | +$1,500 surcharge | Added to applicable service-connection charge |
The figures above are the service-installation charges currently shown in Bartlesville’s municipal code. Site conditions, meter requirements, engineering, private-side plumbing or future ordinance changes can affect the actual project cost. Confirm with the City before excavation or payment.
Existing meter/property — Utility Billing.
918-338-4224Non-emergency Water Distribution questions.
918-338-4100Urgent water-system issue outside normal office hours.
918-338-4055After the account starts
Bartlesville Water Rates Effective July 1, 2026
The City Council approved new water and wastewater rates effective July 1, 2026. These are ongoing bill charges and are separate from the new-account deposit or physical connection fee.
For meters smaller than 3 inches, the City’s 2026 rate structure keeps the volumetric charge for the first 0–2,000 gallons at $0. The monthly meter charge and other applicable utility charges still apply.
After the first account exists
Set Up Bartlesville eCARE Online Water Access
New utility accounts must first be established at City Hall. Online registration is for accessing an account that already exists.
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Wait until you have City account information
The first-time online registration process uses information from an existing Bartlesville utility bill.
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Have the account and meter numbers
The City says first-time users need a recent utility bill showing the account number and meter number.
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Enter the account name exactly
Use the customer name exactly as it appears on the utility bill and provide an email address.
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Watch for the password email
The system sends a temporary password. Check spam or junk folders if the message does not arrive promptly.
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Log in and personalize access
After the first login, change the assigned password and use the account to review billing, water consumption and meter history.
Know the first bill rules
Bartlesville Water Billing After New Service Starts
Monthly Billing
The City issues utility bills monthly. Water and sewer charges are consumption-based, while sanitation depends on cart size.
Due Upon Receipt
The City’s Water Service FAQ states that bills are due upon receipt.
20-Day Past-Due Point
A bill becomes past due 20 days after the billing date, at which time the City states that a 10% penalty is added.
The City’s current billing page warns that customers disconnected for nonpayment must contact Utility Billing to reestablish service. Unauthorized self-reconnection can result in prosecution for theft of services and destruction of City property.
Already a Bartlesville customer?
Moving to Another Bartlesville Address
Deposit Can Transfer
The City’s current Water Service FAQ states that a utility deposit can be transferred to a new local address when a customer moves.
Contact Utility Billing before moving so both the old and new service dates are handled correctly.
Do Not Assume Online Address Change Starts Water
The City provides separate forms for address changes and termination of service, but a new local water-service activation should still be coordinated with Utility Billing.
Utility Billing: 918-338-4224
Contact directory
Bartlesville Water New Service Phone, Address & Hours
Utility Billing
Phone: 918-338-4224
Email: ub@cityofbartlesville.org
Use for new service, disconnect service, account and billing questions.
Water Line Questions
Non-emergency: 918-338-4100
Water Distribution maintains mains, installs new service lines, tests and repairs meters, and connects/disconnects customers.
After-Hours Water Emergency
Use for urgent water-system emergencies outside normal business hours.
City Hall new-account hours
City Hall — 1st Floor
401 S. Johnstone Avenue
Bartlesville, OK 74003
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Weekends: Closed
Recognized holidays: Closed
Avoid calling the wrong department
Which Bartlesville Water Department Route Do You Need?
Open the account in person through Utility Billing.
918-338-4224Ask about new meter/service-line requirements before construction.
918-338-4100Utility Billing handles normal service termination requests.
918-338-4224Use Utility Billing/Public Works routing during normal hours.
918-338-4224Use the City’s published after-hours water emergency number.
918-338-4055Create eCARE access only after the utility account exists.
eCAREUnderstand the setup process
Bartlesville Water New-Service Terms
- Utility Billing
- The City office responsible for establishing utility accounts, billing customers, disconnecting accounts and account-related service requests.
- Water Distribution
- The City division responsible for water mains, service lines, meter field work, leak inspections and physical connections/disconnections.
- Utility Deposit
- Security required on each account. Residential amounts are based on the City’s risk classification.
- Service Connection
- The physical water line installed from the City main to the approved meter location. This differs from simply opening a billing account.
- Water Meter
- The City-approved device used to measure water consumption. Bartlesville code requires a City-installed meter for approved connections to the municipal main.
- eCARE
- Bartlesville’s online utility account system for viewing bills, meter history, water consumption, charges and payments.
Frequently searched questions
Bartlesville Water Department New Service FAQs
1. How do I start water service in Bartlesville?
New Bartlesville utility accounts must be established in person at City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Avenue. Bring the service address, driver’s license, Social Security number, lease/rental agreement or proof of ownership, and the required utility deposit.
2. Can I start Bartlesville water service online?
Not for the initial new account under the City’s current instructions. New accounts must be established in person at City Hall. The eCARE website is used after an account exists for online billing and account access.
3. How much is the Bartlesville water deposit?
Residential deposits are based on credit risk: $25 for low risk, $100 for moderate risk and $200 for high risk. Commercial deposits depend on meter size and currently begin at $125 for a 5/8-inch meter.
4. Can Bartlesville turn my water on the same day?
The City says water can typically be connected the same day when a new account is established before 1 p.m., but same-day service is not guaranteed.
5. Do I need to be home when Bartlesville turns on the water?
Yes. The City’s Water Service FAQ states that a resident must be present when new water service is connected because an open faucet or plumbing fixture could cause water damage.
6. What are Bartlesville Utility Billing office hours?
City Hall’s new-service office is open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Friday. It is closed on weekends and recognized holidays.
7. How much does a new physical Bartlesville water connection cost?
The current municipal code lists installation charges of $650 for a 5/8- or 3/4-inch connection, $750 for 1 inch, $1,300 for 1½ inch and $1,950 for 2 inches. Connections over 2 inches are listed at cost plus 15%, with a $1,950 minimum. Confirm current project pricing with the City before construction.
8. What happens to my Bartlesville water deposit when I move?
The City says the deposit can be credited to the final bill when the account closes or transferred to a new local Bartlesville address. Deposits are not refunded while service remains connected.
9. What is the Bartlesville Utility Billing phone number?
Call 918-338-4224 for new water service, account setup, disconnect requests and utility-billing questions. The City’s current directory lists ub@cityofbartlesville.org for Utility Billing email.
10. What number do I call for a Bartlesville water emergency after hours?
The City of Bartlesville lists 918-338-4055 for after-hours water emergencies. For non-emergency water-line maintenance questions, the Water Utilities page lists 918-338-4100.
Official verification