ONWASA Jacksonville offers three main ways to pay your water bill: online through their website, by phone, or by mail

ONWASA (Onslow Water and Sewer Authority) serves Jacksonville and surrounding areas in North Carolina. You can pay your bill without visiting an office in person. The fastest method is online through the ONWASA customer portal, where payments post within one business day. Phone and mail payments also work, though mail takes longer to process.

Your bill arrives monthly and shows your account number, the amount due, and the due date. You will need your account number to pay online or by phone. If you have not received a bill or cannot locate your account number, call ONWASA at (910) 455-7801 during business hours and they can provide it.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay online at the ONWASA customer portal using your account number and a debit or credit card, with payments posting within one business day.
  • Phone payments can be made by calling (910) 455-7801 during business hours, and you will need your account number and a payment method ready.
  • Mail payments should be sent to the address printed on your bill at least one week before the due date to avoid late fees.
  • Late payments typically incur a fee and may result in service disconnection if unpaid for 30 days or more.
  • If you are struggling to pay, contact ONWASA directly to ask about payment plans or hardship programs that may be available.

Paying online through the ONWASA customer portal

Go to the ONWASA website and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Customer Portal" link. You will be asked to enter your account number and either your service address or the amount of your last bill to verify your account. Once logged in, you can view your current balance and payment history.

Select the amount you want to pay—you can pay the full balance or a partial amount. Choose your payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. Enter the payment details and confirm. ONWASA will show you a confirmation number immediately. The payment will post to your account within one business day, though the funds may take longer to clear from your bank.

Online payments are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no fee to pay by debit card or bank transfer, though credit card payments may carry a processing fee. Check the portal before you submit to see if a fee applies to your chosen method.

Paying by phone or automatic bank draft

Call ONWASA at (910) 455-7801 during business hours to pay by phone. Have your account number and payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account information) ready. A representative will process your payment and provide a confirmation number. Phone payments are typically posted within one business day.

If you pay the same amount every month, you can set up automatic bank draft, also called autopay. This withdraws the payment directly from your checking or savings account on a date you choose. To set up autopay, call ONWASA or ask about it through the online portal. Autopay reduces the risk of missing a due date and means you do not have to remember to pay each month.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order for the amount due and include the payment stub from your bill. Mail it to the address printed on your bill. Send it at least one week before the due date to allow time for delivery and processing. ONWASA will not receive your payment on the day you mail it, so plan ahead if you are close to the due date.

Write your account number on the check or money order. Do not send cash through the mail. Keep a copy of the payment stub or take a photo of it before mailing as proof of payment in case there is a question later.

Understanding due dates and late fees

Your bill shows the due date, which is typically 15 to 20 days after the bill is issued. If payment is not received by that date, ONWASA will charge a late fee. The amount of the late fee is shown on your bill or in your account agreement. Late fees are added to your next bill.

If your bill remains unpaid for 30 days or more, ONWASA may disconnect your water service. Before disconnection, you will receive a notice. If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact ONWASA immediately to discuss options. Some utilities offer payment plans for customers facing hardship, though availability varies.

What to do if you cannot pay on time

Call ONWASA at (910) 455-7801 as soon as you know you will miss a payment. Explain your situation and ask whether a payment plan is available. Some water utilities work with customers to spread the balance over several months rather than disconnecting service. The sooner you contact them, the more options may be available.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, ask ONWASA whether they participate in any state or local assistance programs. North Carolina has programs that may help with utility bills for low-income households, though these are typically administered through local agencies rather than the utility itself. ONWASA staff can point you toward resources in your area.

Checking your account and billing history

Log into the ONWASA customer portal to view your current bill, past bills, and payment history. This is useful if you want to confirm that a payment has posted or if you need to check how much you owe. You can also download or print bills from the portal for your records.

If you notice an error on your bill—such as an unusually high charge or a payment that did not post—contact ONWASA to report it. Keep records of your payments, including confirmation numbers from online or phone payments, in case you need to dispute a charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my ONWASA bill online?

Debit card and bank transfer payments have no fee. Credit card payments may carry a processing fee, which ONWASA will disclose before you submit the payment. Check the portal to see the fee amount for your chosen payment method.

How long does it take for an online payment to show on my account?

Online payments typically post within one business day. The funds may take longer to clear from your bank, but ONWASA will record the payment as received once it is processed. You will receive a confirmation number immediately after submitting the payment.

What happens if I miss the due date?

A late fee will be added to your account. If the bill remains unpaid for 30 days or more, ONWASA may disconnect your water service. Contact them immediately if you cannot pay by the due date to ask about payment plans or other options.

Can I set up automatic payments so I do not have to pay each month?

Yes. Call ONWASA at (910) 455-7801 or check the customer portal to set up automatic bank draft. The payment will be withdrawn on a date you choose each month, and you can change or cancel it anytime.

Where do I send a mailed payment?

The mailing address is printed on your bill. Mail your check or money order with the payment stub at least one week before the due date. Write your account number on the check and keep a copy of the stub as proof of payment.