About Your Bill
Water charges are determined by the amount of water that has passed through your meter since the last meter reading. Wastewater usage is determined based on the amount of water delivered through the meter to your home.
The charges you see on your bill will vary based on the services provided, your usage, and your payment history. Listed below is information about how your bill is calculated and about potential charges you may see.
Sewer Service Only
Customers with wastewater service only are billed quarterly at a flat rate. The charge is based on the average of 14,000 gallons per quarter for a family of three. If you have less than three people living in your home, only live on the property periodically, or believe you use less than 14,000 gallons of water per quarter, it may be cost effective for you to convert to a metered account. For a brochure explaining metered accounts, contact Customer Relations at (410) 222-7582.
Metered Sewer Service
If you have wastewater service only and want to change to a metered account you must contact a licensed plumber to perform the meter installation on your property. It is your plumber’s responsibility to contact the Bureau of Utility Operations Meter Services section before proceeding with installation. Call (410) 222-8455 for detailed instructions on proper installation of a meter and a remote register.
Note: Remote register must be installed 5’ above ground level. Your plumber is also required to acquire a water connection permit from the Department of Inspections and Permits. This permit is valid for 6 months from the date it was issued and another must be re-issued if time expires. The connection may be inspected by a county inspector. Once installation has been completed, you, as the property owner, have up to one year to monitor and determine if you will save money using a metered account. While monitoring your account, be sure to calculate the amount that would be due on a metered reading. Your consumption would need to be less than 16,000 gallons for a savings to be realized.
If a cost-savings is realized during this trial period, you must call Meter Services at (410) 222-8455 to schedule an appointment in order to have the meter account set up. Since these devices belong to the property owner, it is his/her responsibility to maintain them. Once the account has been set up, Meter Services personnel will visit your home to read the meter. If they find it to be out of order, the owner will be notified in writing and given three months to repair or replace it. During this period, consumption will be estimated based on prior history. If repair or replacement is not made within three months, the rate of consumption will revert back to the current flat rate charge. If this occurs, the account will not be allowed back into the metered account billing system and will remain flat rate until the property changes owners.
Environmental Protection Fee
The environmental protection fee is used to cover the cost of building, expanding and maintaining water and wastewater treatment plants that service the existing connected customers.
The revenue generated from this fee is invested in improvements required to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations and to extend the useful life of aging and deteriorating assets.
Estimated Bills
Sometimes our meter readers may not be able to read your meter. This happens for a number of reasons such as inclement weather, inaccessibility, or utility work. In these rare cases, the Office of Finance will estimate your consumption based on your history of usage. The estimate is based on last year’s bill during the same time period. This is because usage tends to vary at different times of the year, but remain constant for the same time period from year to year. If you have an estimated bill, it will be indicated on the bill by an “E” after the meter reading date. Meters are read approximately every 90 days. If you have an estimated bill, your next bill will reflect your actual consumption based on the next reading. We prefer not to estimate your bills and make every attempt to read your meter, however, circumstances sometimes make this difficult to accomplish. Your help in keeping your meter accessible is one way to help our meter readers keep estimated bills to a minimum.
Excess Use Credit
If you water your landscape and gardens, be prepared for a higher than normal bill. Outdoor water use can add up quickly. Residents are often unaware of the large volume of water used, especially with an underground irrigation system.
The County recognizes that outdoor water use increases in the summer months and that some of the water used outdoors does not return to the public wastewater system. Therefore, the County instituted an “excess use credit” for residential users which is applied to usage associated with the first full billing quarter after April 30. The excess use credit is a deduction from the wastewater portion of the utility bill. When the water consumption in the first quarter after April 30 exceeds 110% of the average for the previous three quarters, the resident’s wastewater charge is reduced by 50% of the amount over 110%.
Late Penalty
If payment is not received by the net due date, a 10% late fee is added to the bill.
Utility Rate Card
View or print the 2024 utility bill rates effective July 1, 2024.
Payment Methods
The County online bill payment option allows you to view your bill and make payments online at your convenience. We accept credit card and eCheck payments.
Pay one or several bills with a single transaction or schedule payments for a future date. After you submit the payment, it will show as pending and appear on your account within two business days. You will receive a confirmation number for your records.
All online payments are subject to convenience fees.
Credit cards accepted include:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- American Express
- Discover
- Venmo
- Amazon Pay
- Google Pay
- Paypal
Both credit cards and eChecks are processed through Paymentus Corporation.
To pay by phone, call 1-833-277-8723. Please have your Utility account number or Real Estate Tax parcel number, and your payment information available when you call.
Payment options include:
- eCheck
- Debit Card, Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, PayPal Debit)
- All pay by phone payments are subject to convenience fees.
All banking return items and chargebacks are subject to a $25 fee.
Please allow up to 48 hours after the payment date for your payment to be reflected on your account.
FAQs
Can I pay using my saving account?
Please check with your bank to ensure they allow bill payment from your savings account to prevent the payment from being return.
Can I speak to someone if I have an issue with my transaction?
If you have any questions about this transaction please contact Paymentus at 1-800-420-1663
The County online automatic bill payment option allows you to view current total due, and set a recurring payment for a fixed or full amount due for Utility and Real Estate Taxes online at your convenience. All online payments are subject to convenience fees. We accept eCheck, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo.
Pay one or several bills with a single transaction or schedule payments for a future date. You will receive a confirmation of the scheduled payment and a confirmation when the payment comes out for your records.
Please allow up to 48 hours after the payment date for your payment to be reflected on your account.
- All online payments are subject to convenience fees.
- Debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
- Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
- Digital Wallets (Amazon Pay)
- All credit cards and eChecks are processed through Paymentus Corporation.
FAQs
What information do I need to enroll?
To enroll in Automatic Payments, you will need:
- Checking or savings banking routing and account number.
- The name on the banking account.
- Debit card, and credit card information available (card numbers, expiration, and security).
- Amazon Pay is the only digital wallet used for AutoPay.
If you have personal checks, your routing number and banking account numbers are printed on the bottom of your check.
Please check with your bank to ensure they allow bill payment from your savings account to prevent the payment from being return.
Can I cancel my AutoPay schedule?
Yes, you can cancel the schedule AutoPay by clicking the “Yes” button under AutoPay. Visit your Account page to cancel already scheduled payments. All cancellations should be done 5 days before the bill is due.
You will see the words “Canceling Payment” on the screen. The “Yes” button will no longer appear under AutoPay for the account you have set-up.
You will receive a confirmation stating “Your AutoPay schedule has been successfully cancelled with AACO Biller”. Please hold for your records.
Is there a return fee for AutoPay?
Yes. All banking return items and chargebacks are subject to a $25 fee.
Enclose your bill payment stub and a check or money order, and mail in the pre-addressed envelope provided with your bill. Do not send cash through the mail.
OFFICE OF FINANCE
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY GOVERNMENT
PO BOX 17003
BALTIMORE, MD 21297-1003
Overnight Delivery Address:
ANNE ARUNDEL OFFICE OF FINANCE
MS 1103
44 CALVERT STREET
ROOM 110
ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401/
When paying by check or money order, please make payable to Anne Arundel County.
Yellow drop boxes are available at each of the County cashier locations for your convenience. You can drop your payment in the drop box quickly and conveniently. Check and money order payments are accepted. Please do not place cash in the drop boxes. Payments are processed by the cashier’s office, so please allow 1-2 days for processing.
Customers may use any of our three cashier locations to make a payment in person. The cashiers accept cash, check or money orders. The cashiers are available to assist you.
Arundel Center
44 Calvert Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-7000
Arundel Center North
101 North Crain Highway, 1st Floor
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
(410) 222-1144
Heritage Complex - Building 2664
2664 Riva Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
When paying by check or money order please make payable to Anne Arundel County. Click on the link for locations.
Walk-in payments for Utility and Tax payments are accepted at all participating Walmart locations (fees apply).
You may also make online credit card or eCheck payments on the touchscreen kiosk in the lobby. Convenience fees will be applied to your payments. The cashiers are available to assist you.
Your bank or financial institution may offer access through its website to make bill payments. Check with your bank or financial institution for this convenient payment option.
Bill Changes & Forms
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Address/Name Changes
Request changes to billing information
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Leak Adjustment Requests
Request an adjustment due to a leak
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Lien Certificate Applications
Apply to receive certification of the status of liens on a property
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Pool Credits
Request a credit due to the filling of a swimming pool or spa
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Residential Water and/or Sewer Installment Agreement Applications
Elect to finance all or a portion of the Capital Facility Connection charge
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Customer Service by phone at (410) 222-1144. For hearing/speech impaired, call 711. Calls are answered from 8:00 am to 4:15 pm weekdays.
Or go to our website at www.aacounty.org
Main Office
The Arundel Center
44 Calvert Street, Room 110
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Glen Burnie Office
Anne Arundel Community College North Campus
101 Crain Highway North (corner Crain Hwy N. and MD-648/B&A Blvd)
Arundel Center North, Glen Burnie MD, 21060
Riva Road Office
Heritage Office Complex
2664 Riva Road, Room 110
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Hours of Business for all locations are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Pay by Mail
A.A.Co. Water & Wastewater
P. O. Box 17003
Baltimore, MD 21297-1003
Pay Online
Pay Online at www.aacounty.org
Contact Customer Service by phone at (410) 222-1144. Calls are answered from 8:00 am to 4:15 pm weekdays.
Contact Customer Service at (410) 222-1144 or view your bill online at www.aacounty.org
Please contact Customer Service at (410) 222-1144 to discuss the actions needed to have your service restored. Customer Service can be reached between 8:00 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. After business hours, on weekends or holidays, please contact the Department of Public Works, Emergency Services at (410) 222-8400.
If payment is not received by the due date and the account is scheduled to be turned off, a $50 fee to cover administrative costs is charged. Once the account is scheduled for turn off, ALL payments must be made in cash, certified check, money order, or on-line at www.aacounty.org
Meter Services personnel and Emergency Services crews cannot accept payments or make payment extensions.
Occasionally, it is impossible to read a meter at the scheduled time – usually due to inclement weather conditions. In such cases, an estimated bill is rendered based on the average consumption for the same period in the prior year. An estimated bill may be a little higher or lower if actual usage was abnormal, however, the next actual reading will automatically adjust for any variation in the estimate.
A fee of $25 is assessed for any payment returned by the bank unpaid.
If you have public water and wastewater service, your bill is determined by the amount of water that has passed through your meter since the last meter reading. Meters are read quarterly. The charge for wastewater is also based on the amount of water that is delivered through the water meter to your home. If you only have public wastewater service, then your bill is a flat rate charge based on an average use of 14,000 gallons per quarter.
Call the Customer Service Section at (410) 222-1144 and inquire about payment plans. In addition, there are outside sources to contact for financial assistance. See below:
Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services
Temporary Cash Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) a.k.a Food Stamps
Emergency Assistance to Adults may provide assistance for the following: • Court-Ordered Eviction • Utility Cut-off • Life Sustaining Medications • Shelter Referrals • Referrals for furniture, food and clothing • Referrals for services to address Domestic Violence
Annapolis
80 West Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 269-4745
Glen Burnie
7500 Ritchie Highway
Glen Burnie, MD 21060
(410) 421-8410
Email: aacountydss.dhr@maryland.gov
Apply online for assistance at: https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us/dashboardClient/#/home
Anne Arundel Department of Aging and Disabilities
Serving Older Adults, People with Disabilities and Caregivers
2666 Riva Road, Suite 400
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 222-4257
For Information and Assistance, contact Maryland Access Point (410) 222-4257
Email:
info_and_assistance@aacounty.org
Disabilities_info_@aacounty.org
Information and Referral, 211 Maryland for Help
Phone: 211 or Text for resources in your area: 898-211
www.211MD.org
Available 24/7 this is a United Way of Maryland Service center for assistance of all kinds across the state of Maryland. All languages available. MD Relay 711
The Salvation Army, Anne Arundel County
Offer Emergency financial assistance and food.
Annapolis
351 Hilltop Lane
Annapolis, MD 21403
(410) 263-4091
(410) 263-4095
Glen Burnie
511 S Crain Hwy
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
(410) 768-3481
http://www.salvationarmy.org/uss/
St. Vincent de Paul Society
19 West Franklin Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 659-4020
www.oldchesapeake.org
Community Action Agency
251 West Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 626-1900
Apply for energy Assistance: https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us
Apply for Housing Assistance: https://aaccaa.org/housing-assistance-program-and-services/
Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP) - Department of Social Services
80 West Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 269-4500
Apply for assistance: https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us
Northern Emergency Outreach Network (NEON)
304 5th Street
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Phone: (410) 766-1826
http://www.oldchesapeake.org
NEON is Christian organization comprised of more than 35 churches and 5 civic organizations from the Glen Burnie, Linthicum, Pasadena and Severn areas that provides assistance to those in need.
Severna Park Assistance Network (SPAN)
400 Benfield Road
Severna Park, MD 21146
Phone: (410) 647-0889
www.spanhelps.org
SPAN is located in Severna Park, Maryland and is a non-profit organization that helps area families in need of emergency assistance.
Crofton Christian Caring Council (CCCC)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
1800 Seton Drive
Crofton, MD 21114
(410) 721-5770
https://cumc.net/cccc/
Several churches work together to offer financial assistance with bills and prescriptions. Food Pantries offered, as well.
South County Assistance Network (SCAN)
St. James Episcopal Church
5757 Solomon’s Island Road
Lothian, MD
(410) 867-2838
https://scanfoodpantry.org/
An association of churches offering a food pantry and occasional financial assistance. They assist with navigating resources and with the completion of applications.
Arundel Community Development Services, Inc
2666 Riva Road, Suite 210
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-7600
www.acdsinc.org
A non profit offering Eviction Prevention assistance, Homeowners counseling, and home rehabilitation and repair.
Contact Customer Service at (410) 222-1144 to have a work order processed for a meter reading verification. Specially trained Customer Service Representatives will be glad to offer their assistance.
Questions about Public Works’ delivered services can be directed to Public Works Customer Relations Unit at (410) 222-7582.
Contact Customer Service at (410) 222-1144 or go to our website at www.aacounty.org for instructions. Specially trained Customer Service Representatives will be glad to offer their assistance.
The Excess Use Credit was initiated because the County recognizes that outdoor water use increases in the summer months and some of the water used outdoors does not return to the public sewer system. Residential users are eligible for a credit of a portion of their wastewater charge.
The Excess Use Credit is automatically calculated and applied to a utility bill when applicable. The Excess Use Credit is applied to the first full billing quarter starting after April 30 each year. The exact beginning and ending dates depend on the particular “billing cycle” read date. Meter readings and billings are done in cycles depending on the area in the County one resides in.
Questions regarding pool credit should be coursed thru the Customer Relations of the Department of Public Works at (410) 222-7582. Council Bill # 37-11 doubled the sewer usage credit during the summer period of excess water usage (due to watering, filling up of pool, etc. - see item #13). There are several billing cycles beginning in May through the end of September when this credit may be calculated.
Swimming Pool Verification Form/Request for “Pool Credit” Form
Contact Customer Service at (410) 222-1144 or visit our website at www.aacounty.org to inquire about the adjustment process. A copy of the repair bill from a Licensed Plumber will be required to complete the adjustment.
The Capital Facility Connection Recoupment charge is part of the County Council approved Bill # 37-11 and targets residents that use more capacity than the capital facility connection charge rate limit of 250 gallons per day.
The Wastewater Surcharge Program is a mechanism to recover costs incurred when treating high strength wastes discharged by some industrial and commercial users to the wastewater system. These additional funds are needed to cover the cost of the operation and maintenance at the treatment plants and to make the wastewater system financially self-supporting. The surcharge cost appears as a separate line item on your bimonthly or quarterly utility bill. Surcharge costs are based on the actual costs to operate and maintain seven (7) water reclamation facilities in the County, debt service, and the organic, nutrient and solids loadings treated at the plants.
This is your share of the cost incurred by the County to construct the water or wastewater lines that provide public service to your community. This bill is sent to the property owner annually for 30 years. It can be transferred with the property to new owners.
The 30-Year Installment Plan (also known as the Capital Facility Connection Charge) is billed annually with the Front Foot Benefit Assessment over a 30-year term. The money paid is applied to the repayment of the bonds sold to build the public water or public wastewater system such as treatment plants, force mains, and pumping stations. It is 2/3 of the Capital Facility Connection Charge. Any balance remaining due on this charge at the time of title transfer of the property must be paid off.
Yes. Please contact the Office of Finance, Customer Service at (410) 222-1144 to obtain 30-Year Installment Plan pay off information. Please contact the Department of Public Works, Financial Services Division at (410) 222-7512 to obtain pay off information for a Front Foot Benefit Assessment.
An allocation is a reservation of water or wastewater plant capacity for use at a specific property. Property owners or developers apply for an allocation to ensure that capacity is available when a property is ready to be connected to the County’s water or wastewater systems. Questions regarding Utility Allocation requirements can be directed to the Department of Public Works by calling (410) 222-7509.
The Allocation Reservation Charge is billed quarterly until the actual connection is made.
Charge Description on utility bill:
For a water allocation – ALLOC WATR or ARC WATR
For a wastewater allocation – ALLOC SEWR or ARC SEWR
For the Mayo Service area only – ALLOC MAYO or ARC MAYO
If you are connected to the public wastewater system but not to public water, and wondering if there is a way to save money on your bill, the Department's Metered Wastewater Account Program may be just what you are looking for. Anne Arundel County has established this program to allow flat rate customers to convert their bills to metered accounts.
The current flat rate charge is based on the average use of 14,000 gallons per quarter for a family of three. If you have less than three people living in your home year-round, live on your property periodically, or use less than 14,000 gallons of water per quarter, it may be cost-effective for you to convert to a metered account. A licensed plumber must install a County approved water meter on your private well system. It is their responsibility to contact the Bureau of Utility Operations Meter Services section before proceeding with installation. Call (410) 222-8455 for detailed instructions on proper installation of the water meter and a remote register.
Note: The remote register must be installed 5' above ground level. Your plumber is also required to acquire a connection permit from the Department of Inspections and Permits. This permit is valid for 6 months from the date it was issued and another must be re-issued if time expires. A County inspector must inspect the connection.
In some areas, the County provides wastewater service, but a private company provides water. In those cases, the County wastewater charge is based on the water consumption as reported to by the private company.
Anne Arundel County Office of Finance
44 Calvert Street, Room 110 Annapolis, MD 21401
Hours of Operation: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday