How to Pay Your Durham County Water Bill

Paying your water bill on time and in full is an important responsibility for every Durham County resident and business owner. The county provides water, sewer, stormwater, and solid waste collection services that we rely on every day. This guide will explain the different ways you can pay your Durham County water bill, as well as provide tips for understanding your bill and setting up automatic payments.

Overview of Durham County Water Services

Durham County provides water and sewer services to residents and businesses located within the county. They also handle stormwater management and solid waste collection. Here’s a quick overview of each service:

• Water – The county supplies drinking water to homes and businesses, which is used for drinking, bathing, cooking, and more. Your usage determines your monthly water bill

• Sewer – The wastewater from homes and businesses is collected by the county and treated before being released back into the environment Charges for sewer service are based on your water usage,

• Stormwater – The county manages stormwater runoff to prevent flooding and pollution. All developed properties are charged an annual stormwater fee based on the amount of impervious surface on the property.

• Solid Waste – The county provides garbage, recycling, yard waste, and bulky item collection services. This is an optional service that you can sign up and pay for.

Charges for these services are bundled into one monthly bill from the county Utility Billing Department. Read on to learn how to understand and pay this bill.

Understanding Your Durham County Water Bill

When you receive your monthly Durham County water bill, it contains charges for water, sewer, stormwater, and any solid waste services. Here are some tips for deciphering what your bill means:

• Check the meter read dates – This shows the beginning and ending dates for the water usage you are being billed for. Make sure they align with a full month.

• Review water usage – You are billed for every 1,000 gallons of water used based on meter readings. Check that your usage makes sense for your household or business size.

• Note sewer charges – These are based on your water usage since most water used ends up as wastewater. Rates are about 2/3 the cost of water.

• See stormwater fee – Every developed property pays this annual fee split into monthly bills. It’s based on your property’s impervious surface area.

• Look for solid waste charges – If you opt into yard waste pickup or have extra recycling bins, these fees will appear on your bill.

• Check for assessments – Occasionally additional charges are assessed for infrastructure projects.

• Confirm account info – Make sure the bill is addressed to you at the correct mailing address.

When and How to Pay Your Durham County Water Bill

Water bills in Durham County are sent out monthly and are typically due 21 days after the billing date. Here are all your options for paying your bill on time:

• Pay online – The easiest way to pay is through the Utilities Customer Portal. You can pay using e-check, credit card or debit card.

• Pay by phone – Call 919-560-1200 to pay your bill automatically using the Utility Billing Department’s IVR phone system.

• Pay by mail – Detach and mail the payment stub from your bill with a check or money order. Allow 7-10 days for delivery to avoid late fees.

• Pay in person – Bring your bill to the Utility Billing office at 101 City Hall Plaza in downtown Durham. Cash, check, money order or credit/debit cards are accepted.

• Enroll in auto-pay – Set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account so you never miss a due date. Manage this through the Customer Portal.

• Dropbox – The City Hall Plaza building has a dropbox where you can deposit your payment 24/7.

Avoid late fees and service disruption by paying your bill in full by the due date every month. Late payments incur a 1.5% penalty on the unpaid balance.

What To Do if You Can’t Pay Your Bill

If an unexpected financial hardship prevents you from paying your Durham County water bill on time, don’t panic. You have options, including:

• Requesting an extension – Call the Utility Billing office to ask for a few extra days to pay your bill while avoiding late fees. Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis.

• Applying for utility assistance – Programs like the Durham County EMS Share Fund or the Salvation Army’s Project Share can provide emergency bill payment assistance if you qualify.

• Payment plan – The county may allow you to pay off your balance over an extended timeframe by arranging a payment plan.

• Partial payment – Paying even a portion of your bill by the due date will prevent late fees being applied to that amount paid.

• Service suspension – As a last resort, you can contact the county to request a temporary water service suspension if you need more time to pay.

The key is communicating early with Durham County Utility Billing to find the best solution and avoid complete service termination. Be proactive and transparent.

Use Resources to Manage Your Durham County Water

Managing your water, sewer, stormwater, and solid waste services responsibly allows Durham County to continue providing safe, clean water to our community. Here are a few final tips:

• Monitor your daily water usage with your account on the Customer Portal website.

• Update your contact information with the county anytime you move or change phone numbers.

• Read your bill carefully each month and contact Utility Billing if you have questions.

• Conserve water and limit pollution to control costs and help the environment.

• If moving, make sure to close your county water account and get a final bill.

Paying your Durham County water bill doesn’t have to be a chore. Follow this guide to pay on time, get assistance if needed, and manage your account wisely. Responsible water usage and bill payment makes our community better for all residents. Contact Durham County Utility Billing with any other questions.