City of St Paul Water Department 2026: Pay Bill, Emergency & Service Help
St. Paul water customers usually need one clear answer fast: pay a bill, reach emergency dispatch, transfer service during a move, understand a high bill, or find the right SPRWS department without calling the wrong office. This guide turns Saint Paul Regional Water Services’ official payment, customer service, emergency, meter, lead, sewer and bill-assistance details into quick action cards, phone numbers, checklists, call scripts and official links.
What Do You Need From St. Paul Water?
St. Paul Water Contacts That Actually Matter
Use this table first. Billing, emergencies, meters, engineering, water quality and sewer issues are routed differently.
| Need | Official detail | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| SPRWS customer service | 651-266-6350; phone hours 7:30 AM-4:30 PM, Monday-Friday | Billing, payment, account, transfer service, water service restoration and routing questions. |
| In-person customer service | 1900 Rice St, Saint Paul, MN 55113; office hours 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, Monday-Friday | In-person payment, customer service, lead test kit pickup and account help. |
| Main emergency number listed by SPRWS | Emergency Services 24/7: 651-266-6868 | Official emergency-services contact route shown on the main SPRWS page. |
| Dispatch Office / Emergencies | 651-266-6874, 24 hours | Water main, hydrant and street repair; after-hour water service restoration. |
| Meter Operations | 651-266-6850; 7:30 AM-4:00 PM, Monday-Friday | Meter reading and meter repair questions. |
| Engineering / Plumbing Inspection | 651-266-6270; 7:30 AM-4:00 PM, Monday-Friday | Permits, water service installations, lead replacement, plumbing inspection and service-line questions. |
| Water Quality / Lab | 651-266-1635 | Water testing, water quality and lead/testing questions. |
| Sewer permits / billing / credits | 651-266-6234; PW-SewerCounter@ci.stpaul.mn.us | Sewer permits, inspections, credits, assessments and data requests. |
| Sewer cleaning / repair | 651-266-9850; PW-SewerDispatch@ci.stpaul.mn.us | Sewer cleaning, inspection and repair questions. |
St. Paul Water Emergency, Main Break, Hydrant or After-Hours Service
Do not start with online bill pay if water is flooding, a hydrant is damaged, water service is unexpectedly off, or you need after-hours water restoration. Use the emergency or dispatch route.
Call emergency/dispatch first
The main SPRWS page lists 24/7 Emergency Services at 651-266-6868. The Customer Resources page lists Dispatch Office / Emergencies at 651-266-6874 for water main, hydrant, street repair and after-hour water service restoration.
Give the exact location
Say the address, nearest cross street, whether water is in the street, basement, yard, alley or near a hydrant, and whether anyone is in danger.
Separate water from sewer
If it is a sewer backup, sewer repair or sewer permit issue, use the City Sewer Utility contacts. Water main and hydrant issues go through SPRWS dispatch.
How to Pay a St. Paul Water Bill
SPRWS offers several payment routes. Choose based on whether you want online account access, automatic payments, mail/drop box, card payment or in-person cash/check help.
| Payment method | Official detail | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Use the SPRWS bill payment portal. You need customer and account numbers. | Fast payment, usage history, eBills, reminders, transaction history and AutoPay enrollment. |
| Phone | Payments can be made by phone at 651-266-6350. | Card payment or account payment through automated/phone service. |
| In person | 1900 Rice Street, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, Monday-Friday. | Cash, check, customer-service help or account questions. |
| Check or money order | Mail with bill stub to Saint Paul Regional Water Services, 1900 Rice Street, Saint Paul, MN 55113-6810. | Traditional check payments when time is not urgent. |
| Drop boxes | Drop boxes are in the visitor parking area and outside the main entrance at 1900 Rice St, available 24 hours. | After-hours check or money order payment. |
| Cash | Cash at 1900 Rice Street is fee-free; retail cash payments have listed fees. | Customers who need cash payment route. |
SPRWS Payment Portal Login, One-Time Pay and Account Setup
The SPRWS Customer Portal supports one-time payments, account registration and payment management. The portal page says registration gives users flexible payment options, AutoPay enrollment, payment reminders, usage history, electronic billing and transaction history.
Use your customer and account numbers
SPRWS says you need your customer number and account number, found on the bill or available by contacting customer service.
Choose one-time payment or registration
Use one-time payment if you only need to pay today. Register if you want eBills, reminders, AutoPay, usage history or transaction history.
Know what happens to paper billing
SPRWS says registering on the bill payment portal automatically enrolls the account in electronic bills. If you registered but want paper bills, call customer service at 651-266-6350.
AutoPay, Direct Payment and Monthly Manager
SPRWS recommends AutoPay for staying current. The best option depends on whether you want the actual due amount withdrawn or a fixed monthly budget amount.
AutoPay
Automatic payments are withdrawn on your payment due date. Checking/savings AutoPay can be fee-free. Card or digital wallet AutoPay carries the listed transaction fee.
Monthly Manager
Monthly Manager is a fixed monthly payment based on average water usage over the last 12 months. It is available to quarterly customers and has no charge.
Sign up through the portal if new to AutoPay
If you are not already using AutoPay, SPRWS says you can sign up using the Bill Payment Portal.
Call before changing existing AutoPay
If you already have AutoPay and want to make changes, SPRWS says to call 651-266-6350, cancel current AutoPay, then sign up online with the payment method you choose.
St. Paul Water Payment Fees and Fee-Free Choices
Payment method matters because some options are fee-free and others are not.
| Payment type | Fee detail | Money-saving note |
|---|---|---|
| Checking/savings AutoPay | SPRWS describes this as fee-free. | Best recurring option if you want to avoid card fees. |
| Credit/debit card | $3.95 per transaction and $3.95 per each additional $500 block increment. | Use only when card convenience is worth the fee. |
| Digital wallet | $3.95 per transaction and per additional $500 block increment. | Google Pay, Venmo, PayPal and PayPal Credit are portal-only. |
| Cash at 1900 Rice Street | Fee-free according to SPRWS. | Use during office hours if paying cash. |
| Retail cash payment | Walmart $2; other stores such as CVS/Walgreens $2.95. | Use only participating locations listed in the portal. |
| UNBank or check cashing locations | SPRWS portal FAQ says no. | Do not assume every check-cashing store can take payment. |
How to Read a St. Paul Water Bill Before Paying
SPRWS says the account number and customer number are both needed for online payments or payment plans. The bill also shows billing date, due date, current charges and current usage.
Moving? Transfer St. Paul Water Service Correctly
SPRWS says to call customer service at 651-266-6350 and press “0” to speak with a representative so they can prepare a final bill for the change in occupancy.
| Moving situation | SPRWS needs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Owner selling property | Water meter reading taken on the day of closing, forwarding address of previous owner, new owner name and phone. | Call customer service before or on closing day. |
| Tenant moving out | Meter reading taken on the last day of occupancy, forwarding address and new tenant name if known. | Take reading on the final occupancy day. |
| Tenant moving in | Name/address of former tenant plus property owner name, address and phone. | Have landlord/property owner details ready. |
| Incomplete records | SPRWS may ask for additional information. | Keep lease/closing papers nearby when calling. |
What If You Cannot Pay the Full St. Paul Water Bill?
SPRWS tells customers who cannot pay all or part of their bill to call customer service and request a credit arrangement. This can help avoid certification to property taxes, which adds a certification fee and interest charges.
Call before the bill escalates
Call 651-266-6350 and ask for a credit arrangement or payment option based on your situation.
Ask about partner assistance
SPRWS says customer service may connect customers with partners who have funding for unpaid bills.
Ask about WaterWorks
WaterWorks is an SPRWS initiative administered with Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties for low-income customers with water and sewer costs.
St. Paul Water Meter Location, Reading and High Usage
SPRWS says the water meter is inside the house, usually about one foot off the basement floor. It may also be in a crawl space, pit or utility room, and it is not outside.
| User question | Official detail | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the meter? | Inside the house, near where water comes from the street side. | Check basement, crawl space, utility room or pit. |
| How much is one unit? | One unit is 100 cubic feet, or 748 gallons. | Use units to compare bill periods. |
| What is typical use? | SPRWS lists an average household around 18 units per quarterly billing cycle. | If usage is far above average, inspect for leaks. |
| Who handles meter repair? | Meter Operations: 651-266-6850. | Call for meter reading/repair questions. |
| Can plumbing affect pressure? | SPRWS says galvanized pipes can corrode, narrow and cause low pressure or discoloration. | Check private plumbing if pressure is low only inside your property. |
Lead Service Lines, Free Lead Testing and Water Quality
SPRWS provides lead and water quality resources that matter for older homes, private service lines and families concerned about testing.
| Topic | Official detail | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Private service line | SPRWS says property owners are responsible for maintenance and replacement of service within private property. | Call Engineering at 651-266-6270 or check the service material map. |
| Public service line | SPRWS owns/maintains the portion in the street right-of-way. | Ask SPRWS before planning service-line replacement. |
| Lead Free SPRWS | SPRWS describes a 10-year plan to replace lead water service lines in its service area at no cost to property owners. | Open Lead Free SPRWS or call customer service. |
| Free lead test kits | Available for eligible customers at customer service desk, 1900 Rice St, Monday-Friday, 8 AM-4:30 PM. | Call 651-266-6350 for more information. |
| Water quality lab | 651-266-1635. | Use for water testing and monitoring questions. |
| Monthly water analysis | SPRWS posts monthly mineral analysis reports and says paper copies can be requested. | Open About Your Water or call customer service. |
St. Paul Sewer Questions Are Not Always SPRWS Water Questions
Water and sewer charges may appear together, but sewer maintenance and permits often route through the City Sewer Utility Division.
| Sewer need | Official contact | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Permits, inspections, billing, credits, assessment program, data request | PW-SewerCounter@ci.stpaul.mn.us; 651-266-6234 | Sewer account/program questions and permit/inspection issues. |
| Sewer cleaning, inspection and repair | PW-SewerDispatch@ci.stpaul.mn.us; 651-266-9850 | Sewer cleaning and repair matters. |
| Private building sewer line | Property owner responsibility up to and including connection to public sewer/outlet. | Know when a private sewer contractor may be needed. |
| Expensive private sewer repair | Sewer Assessment Program exists for eligible repair situations. | Ask Sewer Utility about assessment options before repair work. |
What to Say When Calling SPRWS
Use these short scripts so your call gets routed faster.
| Situation | Say this first | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Pay bill / account login | “I need help with my SPRWS bill payment or customer portal.” | Customer number, account number, email address and service address. |
| Water emergency | “I’m reporting a water emergency at [address/cross street].” | Location, leak/main break/hydrant issue, visible hazards and callback number. |
| Move / transfer service | “I’m moving and need a final bill/change in occupancy.” | Meter reading, forwarding address, new/old tenant or owner details. |
| Can’t pay full bill | “I need to request a credit arrangement or bill payment option.” | Account number, amount you can pay now, due date and hardship situation. |
| Meter issue | “I need meter reading or meter repair help.” | Account number, location of meter, access issue and usage concern. |
| Lead service line | “I need service-line material or lead replacement information.” | Property address, year built if known and service material map result if checked. |
Saint Paul Regional Water Services Map and Visit Checklist
SPRWS customer service is at 1900 Rice Street, Saint Paul, MN 55113. Use this address for in-person customer service, bill payment, lead test kit pickup and water service help.
Saint Paul Regional Water Services
Address: 1900 Rice Street, Saint Paul, MN 55113.
Customer Service: 651-266-6350.
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.
St. Paul Water Video Resource: Reducing Lead Exposure
SPRWS links to an official YouTube video about reducing exposure to lead in drinking water. This direct embed uses a verified video ID instead of a broken YouTube search iframe.
Reducing Your Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water
Watch this for lead-related water safety context, then use the official SPRWS lead and water-quality pages for current program rules, testing and service-line replacement details.
Official St. Paul Water Links Used in This Guide
Saint Paul Regional Water Services
Main SPRWS page with customer service, address, phone hours and emergency-services contact.
Open SPRWSBilling and Payment
Online payments, AutoPay, Monthly Manager, fees, cash/check options, bill details and assistance notes.
Open BillingSPRWS Customer Portal
Paymentus login, one-time payment, account registration, eBills, reminders and usage history.
Open PortalMoving? Transfer Water Service
Final bill, owner/tenant requirements and change-in-occupancy instructions.
Open Transfer PageWater Bill Assistance
Credit arrangements, partner funding and WaterWorks assistance route.
Open AssistanceCustomer Resources
Emergency dispatch, meter operations, engineering, plumbing inspection, water quality and customer help.
Open ResourcesLead and Household Water
Lead testing, Lead Free SPRWS, service-line info, lab contact and lead-exposure video.
Open Lead PageAbout Your Water
Monthly mineral analysis, water contaminants, treatment process and water-quality reports.
Open Water QualitySewer Utility Division
Sewer permits, credits, assessment program, cleaning, inspection, repair and private sewer responsibility.
Open Sewer UtilityCity of St. Paul Water Department FAQs
What is the St. Paul water customer service number?
Saint Paul Regional Water Services customer service is 651-266-6350. Phone hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM-4:30 PM.
Where is Saint Paul Regional Water Services located?
SPRWS customer service is located at 1900 Rice Street, Saint Paul, MN 55113. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.
Who do I call for a St. Paul water emergency?
The main SPRWS contact page lists Emergency Services 24/7 at 651-266-6868. The Customer Resources page lists Dispatch Office / Emergencies at 651-266-6874 for water main, hydrant, street repair and after-hour water restoration.
How do I pay my St. Paul water bill online?
Use the official SPRWS Customer Portal at Paymentus. You need your customer number, account number and email address to register. One-time payment is also available from the portal.
Does SPRWS charge card payment fees?
Yes. SPRWS says credit/debit card payments incur a $3.95 charge per transaction and a $3.95 charge for each additional $500 block increment.
Is checking or savings AutoPay fee-free?
SPRWS says AutoPay with checking or savings can be a fee-free way to keep up with water bill payments.
How do I transfer water service when moving?
Call SPRWS customer service at 651-266-6350 and press “0” so a representative can prepare a final bill for the change in occupancy.
What if I cannot pay my whole SPRWS bill?
Call customer service at 651-266-6350 and ask for a credit arrangement or bill payment option. SPRWS also lists WaterWorks assistance for eligible low-income customers.
Where is my St. Paul water meter?
SPRWS says the meter is inside the house, often about one foot off the basement floor, in a crawl space, pit, utility room or where the water line comes in from the street side.
Who handles St. Paul meter repair?
Meter Operations is listed at 651-266-6850, Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM-4:00 PM, for meter reading and repair.
Who handles lead service line questions?
Engineering is listed at 651-266-6270. SPRWS also offers lead and household water resources, free test kit information and Lead Free SPRWS program information.
Who do I call for sewer repair or sewer credits?
For sewer permits, inspections, billing, credits and assessment program questions, call 651-266-6234. For sewer cleaning, inspection and repair, call 651-266-9850.
Best Way to Handle a St. Paul Water Department Task
Do not treat every utility issue as a bill-pay problem. Saint Paul Regional Water Services separates customer service, emergency dispatch, meter operations, engineering, water quality, assistance programs and sewer contacts. Using the right route saves time and helps protect your account, property and water service.
Editorial note: This guide is informational and summarizes official Saint Paul Regional Water Services and City of Saint Paul resources for easier public use. Official phone numbers, payment fees, portal rules, assistance programs, service-transfer requirements, lead program details, sewer contacts, office hours and emergency instructions can change. Confirm final details on official StPaul.gov or SPRWS-linked pages before paying, transferring service, requesting assistance, reporting an emergency or scheduling water/sewer work.