Are you tired of mailing checks or making trips to pay your Arlington County bills? Whether you’re handling water bills property taxes, or other county fees, online bill pay options can save you time and hassle. I’ve researched the most up-to-date information to help you navigate Arlington County’s payment systems with ease.
Understanding Arlington County’s Online Payment Systems
Arlington County provides residents with convenient digital options for managing and paying their utility bills. The primary systems include:
- CAPP (Customer Assessment and Payment Portal) – Run by the Treasurer’s Office
- CSS (Customer Self-Service Portal) – Operated by the Department of Environmental Services
Let me explain how these systems work together to make your life easier,
How to Pay Your Arlington County Water & Utility Bills Online
The Treasurer’s Office collects payments for various county services, including water-sewer-refuse utilities bills from the Department of Environmental Services (DES). Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of your options:
Option 1: Using CAPP (Customer Assessment and Payment Portal)
CAPP allows you to:
- Pay utilities and parking tickets
- Receive e-bill notifications
- File taxes
Quick Payment Without Login:
- Visit the CAPP website
- Click “Make a Payment” link
- Select “Utilities (Water & Sewer)” from the bill types list
- Enter your account number
Important When using CAPP, your utilities account number must include all 13 digits (found on your utility bill) without spaces or dashes
Need assistance with CAPP? Contact them at [email protected] or call 703-228-4000, option 8.
Option 2: Customer Self-Service (CSS) Portal
The CSS portal lets you:
- View payment history
- Check water usage
- Order services like mulch and brush collection
To register, you’ll need your 12-digit account ID and your last name as it appears on your bill.
For help with CSS, email [email protected] or call 703-228-5000.
Other Ways to Pay Arlington County Bills
If online isn’t your thing, Arlington County offers several alternative payment methods:
Phone Payments
Call 1-888-272-9829 (use code 1000) to pay by phone.
Mail Payments
You can mail your payments to:
2020 14th St. N.,
Arlington, VA 22201
In-Person Payments
Visit the Customer Contact Center during business hours (Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.).
Managing Your Water Account
Beyond just paying bills, Arlington County offers several helpful services through their online portals:
- Track water usage – Monitor how much water you’re using
- View payment history – See your past payments
- Order services – Request brush collection or mulch delivery
- Report problems – Report water issues directly through the portal
Common Questions About Arlington County Bill Pay
Why isn’t my payment showing up in my account?
Sometimes there’s a delay between making a payment and seeing it reflected in your account. If you’ve recently made a payment and don’t see it, contact the Customer Contact Center at 703-228-5000 or email them for assistance.
What should I do if I have a high water bill?
Arlington County provides resources to help you resolve high bills. Check for leaks using their online tools or request assistance through their customer service.
Can I set up automatic payments?
Yes! Both payment portals allow you to set up recurring payments so you never miss a due date.
What if I have a water emergency?
For water & sewer emergencies, call the 24-hour hotline at 703-228-6555 or report problems online through their portal.
Tips for Managing Your Arlington County Bills
- Sign up for e-billing – Get your bills faster and reduce paper waste
- Set up auto-pay – Never worry about missing a due date
- Check for leaks regularly – Small leaks can cause big bills
- Keep your account info updated – Ensure you receive important notifications
- Save proof of payment – Arlington provides a dedicated email address for proof of payment
Don’t Confuse Arlington County, VA with City of Arlington, TX!
This is super important! There are TWO different Arlingtons with online payment systems:
- Arlington County, Virginia – Uses the CAPP and CSS systems described above
- City of Arlington, Texas – Has its own MyArlingtonTX system with different procedures
I’ve seen many people get confused between these two systems, so make sure you’re using the right one for your location!
What About Other Utilities in Arlington County?
Arlington County’s system handles water, sewer, and refuse utilities. However, for other services, you’ll need to contact:
- Electricity: Dominion Virginia Power (866-DOM-HELP or 866-366-4357)
- Gas: Washington Gas (703-750-1400) – Call 911 first for gas emergencies
- Phone/Internet: Verizon (1-800-837-4966) or Comcast/Xfinity (1-800-934-6489)
The Benefits of Using Arlington County’s Online Bill Pay
There are several advantages to managing your Arlington County bills online:
Save Time
No more writing checks, finding stamps, or making trips to pay in person.
Never Miss a Payment
Set up reminders or automatic payments to avoid late fees.
24/7 Access
Check your account anytime, day or night, from anywhere.
Better Budget Management
Track your usage and payments history to help plan your household budget.
Environmentally Friendly
Reduce paper waste by opting for electronic billing and payments.
My Personal Experience with Arlington County Bill Pay
When I first moved to Arlington County, I was a bit overwhelmed with setting up all my utilities. The online system seemed complicated at first, but once I registered for both CAPP and CSS, everything became much easier to manage.
I particularly appreciate being able to track my water usage throughout the month. Last summer, I noticed an unusual spike and was able to identify a leaky toilet before it caused a major bill increase. The system essentially paid for itself with that one catch!
What to Do If You Need Help
Arlington County provides excellent customer support:
- Customer Contact Center: Available Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. at 703-228-5000
- Email Support: [email protected]
- Customer Handbook: Available online for detailed information
- Water & Sewer Emergencies: 24-hour hotline at 703-228-6555
Final Thoughts on Arlington County Bill Pay
Managing your Arlington County bills online is definitely the way to go for convenience and efficiency. With multiple payment options and helpful account management tools, the county makes it relatively easy to stay on top of your utility bills.
The most important things to remember are:
- Use CAPP for payments and e-bill notifications
- Use CSS for tracking usage and ordering services
- Keep your account numbers handy (remember, 13 digits for CAPP!)
- Don’t confuse Arlington County, VA with the City of Arlington, TX
By following these guidelines and utilizing the online resources available, you’ll find that paying your Arlington County bills becomes one less thing to worry about in your busy life.
Quick Reference Guide
| Service | Contact Information | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Contact Center | 703-228-5000 | Mon-Fri, 7am-7pm |
| Pay by Phone | 1-888-272-9829 (Code 1000) | 24/7 |
| Water & Sewer Emergencies | 703-228-6555 | 24/7 |
| CAPP Help | [email protected] | – |
| CSS Help | [email protected] | – |
Have you tried Arlington County’s online bill pay systems? What was your experience like? I’d love to hear your thoughts and tips for making the most of these services!

Customers with remote read meters can sign up for high water usage notifications on their profile tab.
Creating a User Name gives you access to your account details and some great tools including:
- – View Remote Read Meter consumption data
- – View and Pay your bills online
- – Review your transaction and payment history
- – Analyze and download water and sewer usage
- – Add multiple accounts to your web profile
- – High usage alerts and continuous usage notifications
Before you get started, please have your most recent bill handy to complete the registration form.