Payment Assistance

Water Help Program

The Sewerage and Water Board has approved a Water Help Program to assist elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged customers in paying their water bills. This program combines customer contributions with Sewerage and Water Board matching funds to create a fund administered by Total Community Action. The Water Help Program contributes up to $200 annually to customers in need by way of a credit to their account. The Water Help Program covers water and sewer fees, but does not cover City of New Orleans sanitation fees.

To Contribute

Add exactly $1.00 to your monthly payment. If any amount other than $1.00 is added to the payment, it will not be accepted as a contribution, but will become a credit on the bill.

If you wish to contribute more than $1.00 or if you are not a customer, mail a separate payment, indicating that it is to be directed to the Water Help Program, to

Customer Service, Room 122
625 Saint Joseph Street
New Orleans, LA 70165

To Apply For Assistance

Customers wanting assistance should apply in person to the Plan Administrator for a determination of eligibility.

Total Community Action
1424 South Jefferson Davis Parkway
New Orleans, LA 70125
(504) 324-8609

Eligibility Requirements
  • Customer must be a resident of Orleans Parish.
  • Customer must be at least 62 years old, or disabled or handicapped, as determined by the Social Security, Veterans Administrations or other accepted institutions.
  • The combined income of all members of the household must be within the current poverty level guidelines of the area.
  • The water meter must serve only one unit.
The customer must bring the following information to the Plan Administrator
  • Customer must provide proof of age (driver's license, birth certificate, or another authentic document).
  • Customer must provide proof of physical disability if under the age of 62.
  • Customer must provide proof of income (award letter or four consecutive payroll check stubs).
  • Must be a customer of record and have an active account.
  • Account must not be in dispute status.

PromisePay Payment Plans

SWBNO has now partnered with Promise to provide affordable, flexible, and interest-free payment plans. Enroll in a plan today to help you get current on your SWBNO bill.

Who is eligible?

  • All residential and commercial customers with a past-due balance of $50 or more.

What are the benefits?

  • By signing up and staying current with a PromisePay payment plan and your current SWBNO bill, customers will avoid late fees and possible water service turnoffs. Both property owners and tenants are eligible to use the bilingual PromisePay Portal, which allows customers to:
    • Sign up online at swbno.promise-pay.com
    • Conveniently pay using credit or debit card, ACH, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
    • Receive text reminders and notifications.
    • Manage payments, request allowable extensions, modify due dates and change payment methods.

When Customer is Unable to Pay

Once a customer has started their PromisePay plan, they will be required to make monthly payments until they complete their plan. Customers must also pay their current SWBNO bills as they receive them. If a customer is unable to stay current on their PromisePay plan and on the SWBNO bills they received, the customer may face negative consequences, such as service disconnection.

To Restore Water Service

Please go to swbno.promise-pay.com or call Promise at 504-565-2905 to begin the process. To restore water services, SWBNO customers must pay 25% of their past-due balance, and enroll the remainder of their total balance in a PromisePay plan. After completing that step with Promise, customers are required to call SWBNO at 504-529-2837 to confirm that payment has been made and that they’re ready for reconnection.