How to Pay Your Water Bill in Forsyth County

Paying your water bill is an essential part of being a responsible homeowner or renter in Forsyth County. While it may seem like a hassle, paying your water bill ensures that you continue to have access to clean safe drinking water and wastewater services. This article will walk you through the different ways you can pay your Forsyth County water bill as well as provide tips for understanding and managing your water usage and bill amount.

Online Payments

The easiest and most convenient way to pay your Forsyth County water bill is online You have two options for online payment

Directly Through the County Website

The Forsyth County website allows you to pay your water bill directly using either a credit/debit card or electronic check. To pay online, go to www.forsythco.com and click on “Pay My Water Bill.” You will need your 7-digit account number and 4-digit PIN which can be found on your monthly bill.

Paying directly through the county website is quick, easy, and allows you to see your balance and payment history. It also saves you the time and cost of mailing in a payment.

Through Your Bank’s Online Bill Pay

Many banks and credit unions offer online bill pay services you can use to pay your Forsyth County water bill. Log into your bank’s website and set up the county as a payee, using your account number as the account number.

Paying through your bank gives you more control, allowing you to schedule payments in advance or set up automatic recurring payments. Just remember that the county will not receive payment for a few days after you initiate it through your bank.

Automatic Bank Draft

For the most hassle-free way to pay, you can enroll in automatic bank drafts from your checking or savings account. To set up automatic drafts:

• Print and complete the Automatic Draft Authorization form from the county website.
• Include a voided check.
• Mail the form and voided check to the address on the form.

Once enrolled, your bill will automatically be drafted from your bank account each month. You’ll continue receiving paper bills for your records. Automatic draft is a great set-it-and-forget-it way to ensure your water bill is always paid on time.

Pay by Mail

If you prefer to pay your water bill through the mail, it’s simple to do so:

• Use the windowed return envelope included with your monthly paper bill.
• Place a check or money order made payable to Forsyth County along with the payment stub in the envelope. Cash cannot be accepted.
• Drop the envelope in a USPS mailbox – no postage is needed.

Mailed payments are received and processed efficiently. Just make sure your payment reaches the county before the due date to avoid late fees.

If you misplace the return envelope, you can mail your payment to:

Forsyth County
PO Box 2756
Winston-Salem, NC 27102-2756

Pay by Phone

For fast payment by credit/debit card over the phone, call the county’s CityLink line at 336-727-8000 (or 311 within Winston-Salem). You’ll need to provide your account number and 4-digit PIN from your bill when paying by phone.

Phone payment allows you to quickly pay your bill without leaving home. Just be aware that CityLink may charge a small fee for processing credit/debit card payments over the phone.

In-Person Payments

You can also pay your Forsyth County water bill in-person at two locations:

Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building

100 E 1st Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

This location has a convenient drive-through window on the south side of the building where you can pay without leaving your vehicle. A 24-hour drop box is also available near the Church Street entrance.

Black-Phillips-Smith Government Center

2301 N Patterson Ave
Winston-Salem, NC 27105

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Both locations accept cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards. Payments made after 8am or on weekends/holidays will be processed the next business day.

Tips for Managing Your Water Bill

Now that you know the various ways to pay your water bill in Forsyth County, here are some tips for understanding and reducing your monthly charges:

• Carefully review your bill. Make sure you understand each of the charges and fees. Contact the county at 336-727-8000 if you have any questions.

• Check for leaks. Dripping faucets and running toilets can waste massive amounts of water and make your bill spike. Conduct regular leak checks and repairs.

• Monitor your usage. Your bill shows current and previous meter readings so you can track your household’s water consumption from month to month.

• Compare to efficient usage. The EPA says the average American uses 80-100 gallons of water per day. See how your usage compares.

• Upgrade fixtures/appliances. Installing water-efficient toilets, faucets, showerheads, and washing machines can significantly reduce your water usage.

• Change behaviors. Simple habit changes like taking shorter showers, running full loads of laundry, and turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth add up to big savings.

• Check for billing errors. If your water usage seems unusually high, contact the county to check if the meter was misread or if you were double-billed.

• Enroll in budget billing. This program averages your costs over the year so you pay a consistent amount each month. Call 336-727-8000 to sign up.

• Seek assistance. If you’re struggling to pay your bill, the county offers payment plans and assistance programs. Don’t hesitate to call for help.

Avoid Late Fees and Service Disruption

It’s essential to pay your water bill by the due date each month to avoid penalties. Here’s what happens if your payment is late:

• A 10% late fee will be added if payment is not received by the due date.

• A disconnection notice will be sent within 7 days of the due date if the bill remains unpaid.

• If the past due balance is still outstanding on the disconnection date, a $20 late fee is added and your water service will be interrupted.

• Even if actual disconnection doesn’t occur, the $20 late fee will still apply once the disconnection date passes.

• To restore service, you’ll have to pay the past due amount IN FULL, plus any late fees.

Disconnection and reconnection fees can make a late water bill much more expensive. Don’t let it happen – pay on time, every time. Contact the county immediately if you anticipate difficulty paying your bill. Payment plans and assistance programs are available.

Payment Plans for Past Due Balances

If you cannot pay your past due water bill balance in full by the due date, you can set up a payment plan with the county to avoid service interruption. Here’s how it works:

• You must pay at least half of the overdue amount immediately to qualify for a payment plan.

• Remaining balances can be paid over 3-6 months in interest-free installments.

• As long as you make the agreed-upon installment payments AND pay any new charges by the monthly due dates, your service will stay connected.

• Payment plans cover ONLY past due balances. Current monthly bills must still be paid on time.

To set up a payment plan, contact the county at 336-727-8000 or visit the Utilities Customer Service department in person (see locations above). Avoid extra fees and keep the water flowing by promptly arranging extended repayment of overdue balances.

Special Programs for Financial Hardship

If you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford your water bill, special assistance programs may be available:

• The Forsyth County Department of Social Services offers the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) to help pay essential bills, including water service.

• Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency utility bill assistance for households facing shutoff.

• Senior Services has programs to aid low-income seniors with water bills.

• Additional local charities and churches may offer water bill grants. Dial 2-1-1 to be connected to resources.

If you need help paying your water bill, be proactive about seeking assistance before service is disrupted. There are programs available for those struggling financially in our community.

Special Payment Considerations for Renters

Renters who pay for