Nashville Metro Water Bill Help 2026–27: Due Dates, Leaks, and Metro Action Assistance
A high water bill in Nashville usually comes from one of three things: a leak, a stretch of lost income, or a due date that falls before your benefits arrive. Metro Water Services (MWS) and the Metropolitan Action Commission (Metro Action) each have a fix for part of that. Nobody combines them for you, though, so this guide puts them in order.
Last checked October 2026. Facts come from Metro Water Services and Metro Action pages on nashville.gov. Programs, funding, and rules change, so confirm before you apply. This is general information, not legal advice.
The Deadline That Matters Most
MWS says that to avoid a late charge, payment must be posted within 20 days of the bill date. The late charge is the greater of $2.50 or 5% of the current net bill. MWS also says accounts more than 20 days overdue are subject to disconnection.
So the clock starts on the bill date, not the day you open the envelope. Look at the date printed on the bill and count 20 days.
Metro Water Services customer service: 615-862-4600, Customer Service Building, 1700 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208.
Which Problem Do You Have?
Bill suddenly jumped and you didn't use more water → Leak check and leak adjustment (MWS)
Your bill is due before your Social Security or pension arrives → Deferred Due Date Program (MWS)
You lost income recently and fell behind → Water payment help (Metro Action)
Someone at home needs water for medical reasons → Critical Care Customer (MWS)
Sewer charges seem high in summer → Sprinkler credit (MWS, automatic)
Leak Adjustments
If your bill spiked, rule out a leak before you do anything else.
Call MWS at 615-862-4600. MWS says a field representative can help determine whether there's a leak.
If a concealed leak happened, you may be eligible for an adjustment under MWS policy.
After repairs, send MWS the type and date of repair by email or by calling 615-862-4600. Include your account number.
Don't skip this: MWS says that if the account comes due before the adjustment is made, pay the amount in full to avoid late charges. If you can't pay in full, call MWS before the 20-day mark and explain that you're waiting on an adjustment.
Things to check yourself first:
A running toilet (put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and see if color shows up in the bowl without flushing).
A dripping outdoor spigot or hose.
Wet spots in the yard between the meter and the house.
The meter's leak indicator moving when no water is on.
Keep the plumber's receipt. It's your proof of the repair type and date.
Deferred Due Date Program
This program is for people whose monthly income arrives after the bill is due. MWS says it moves your due date to the eighth day of the month after the billing date, or 15 days from the bill date, whichever gives you more time.
Who qualifies: Residential customers who:
get Social Security, a service pension, retirement benefits, or monthly non-wage payments from a local, state, or federal agency;
are requesting it for their primary residence only; and
have an account in good standing when they apply.
The catch: you must be in good standing. If you're already behind, catch up first (Metro Action may help, see below), then apply for the deferred due date.
How: Call MWS at 615-862-4600 and ask for the Deferred Due Date Program. Have your account number and benefit award letter ready.
Help Paying a Past-Due Water Bill: Metro Action
Metro Action handles water payment help for Davidson County residents through its THO Application Portal. (Electric, gas, and propane help goes through a different portal for LIHEAP. Don't use the wrong one.)
Metro Action's rules, from its FAQ and income guidelines:
You must live in Davidson County.
Your household income must be at or below the funder's limit. Metro Action counts gross income (before taxes and deductions) for every resident over 18.
For the housing assistance programs, which include water and sewer payments, you need a recent hardship. Metro Action defines this as an unexpected, serious, and unavoidable difficulty that happened within the last 90 days.
Assistance is limited to one month per household, and households can get it only once per program year (October 1–September 30).
You may not qualify, Metro Action says, if:
the hardship was expected or avoidable;
you had no income before the hardship; or
your main income is part-time, seasonal, temporary, contract, commission, on-call, or as-needed work.
Documents to gather:
Proof of the hardship. Metro Action's example: an employer letter showing your hours were cut through no fault of your own, plus recent pay stubs showing lower gross income.
Your water bill with the correct account number. Metro Action says a wrong account number can delay payment.
A 12-month billing history from the utility. Metro Action says you must get this by contacting the utility, not from the app or as a spreadsheet file. If your service is newer than a year, that's OK.
ID and proof of income for everyone over 18. Metro Action's Universal Application page lists every required document.
What Metro Action says causes delays: missing documents; blurry or hard-to-read uploads; and uploads that don't make clear what they are. Name each file clearly ("water bill Oct 2026," "employer letter").
Metro Action contact: 615-862-8860, 1281 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217. In-person hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Metro Action says its call center is open until 4:30 p.m.
A heads-up: Metro Action's site posted a notice that LIHEAP (energy) assistance is temporarily delayed and applications are waitlisted. That notice is about energy help. Ask about water payment timing when you apply, and call 211 for backup options.
Critical Care Customers
If someone at home depends on water for medical care, ask MWS about the Critical Care Customer program. MWS says it can't guarantee there will be no service disruptions. It does try to minimize the impact on customers with medical needs. You must show evidence that an interruption would compromise medical care. MWS posts a Critical Care Letter, information sheet, and Medical Alert Form on its assistance page.
The Summer Sewer Credit
From the April through November billed months, MWS automatically applies a sprinkler credit to residential sewer charges. Sewer charges are capped at your winter quarter average (January–March) plus 30%. You don't have to apply. If your summer sewer charge looks higher than that, call MWS and ask them to check it.
Common Mistakes
Counting 20 days from when you opened the bill. It's from the bill date.
Applying for the deferred due date while behind. You must be in good standing.
Downloading billing history from the app. Metro Action wants it from the utility directly.
Applying to Metro Action through the LIHEAP portal. Water goes through the THO portal.
Not paying while a leak adjustment is pending. Late charges can still apply.
Waiting until the shutoff notice. Call MWS as soon as you know you'll be late.
FAQ
When is my Metro Water bill late? MWS says payment must be posted within 20 days of the bill date to avoid a late charge. Accounts more than 20 days overdue are subject to disconnection.
Can I change my due date to match my Social Security check? Yes, if you qualify for the Deferred Due Date Program and your account is in good standing. Call 615-862-4600.
Who helps pay a past-due water bill in Nashville? Metro Action takes water payment applications for Davidson County residents through its THO Application Portal.
How often can Metro Action help? One month per household, once per program year (October 1–September 30).
My bill tripled. What should I do first? Call MWS to check for a leak. If a concealed leak caused it, you may be eligible for an adjustment after repairs.
Related Guides
Sources
Metro Water Services, Assistance and Protection Programs: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/water/customers/assistance-and-protection-programs
Metro Water Services, Understanding Your Bill: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/water/customers/understanding-your-bill
Metro Action Commission: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/metro-action
Metro Action, Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/metro-action/faq
Metro Action, Program Income Guidelines: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/metro-action/community-programs/income-guidelines
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