Where to send your payment and what information you need

Durham County water bills are issued by the City of Durham Water Management, which serves most of the county. You can pay online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at their office. The fastest route is online payment, which posts to your account the same day you submit it.

Before you pay, have your bill in front of you. You will need your account number, which appears in the upper right corner of your bill. If you are paying by mail, write your account number on the check or money order. If you are paying by phone or online, the system will ask for it.

Do not send cash through the mail. If you cannot pay online or by phone, money order or check is safer than cash, and the City of Durham accepts both.

Key Takeaways

  • The City of Durham Water Management issues and collects water bills for most of Durham County, and you can pay online the same day you submit payment.
  • Your account number appears on your bill and is required for any payment method except in-person payments at their office.
  • Online and phone payments are processed immediately, while mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to reach the office and post to your account.
  • If your bill is past due, the City of Durham may add a late fee and can eventually shut off service, so contact them as soon as you know you cannot pay on time.

Paying online through the City of Durham website

Go to the City of Durham's water billing portal at durhamnc.gov and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Online Bill Pay" link. You will create an account using your email address and account number from your bill. Once you log in, you can view your current balance and payment history.

When you are ready to pay, select the amount and choose your payment date. The system accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account transfers. Credit and debit card payments process immediately but may carry a small convenience fee — the City of Durham discloses this fee before you confirm the payment. Bank account transfers are free but may take one business day to post.

Keep the confirmation number the system gives you. If there is ever a question about whether your payment went through, that number proves you submitted it.

Paying by phone or automatic bank draft

Call the City of Durham Water Management at (919) 560-4386 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A representative can take a one-time payment over the phone using your debit card or bank account information. This payment posts the same day.

If you want to avoid calling every month, you can set up automatic bank draft, also called autopay. The City of Durham withdraws your payment directly from your checking account on the due date each month. You can set this up online through your account or by calling the number above. You can cancel autopay at any time by contacting them.

Automatic draft is free and removes the risk of forgetting a payment. If your balance changes month to month because of seasonal use, you can adjust the draft amount or switch to a variable draft that pulls whatever your current bill is.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to "City of Durham Water Management." Write your account number on the front of the check. Mail it to:

City of Durham Water Management P.O. Box 3189 Durham, NC 27702

Mail takes 5 to 7 business days to arrive, and the office takes another 2 to 3 business days to process and post your payment. Plan for 10 business days total from the time you drop it in the mail. If your bill is due in fewer than 10 days, do not rely on mail — use online or phone payment instead.

If you are mailing a payment close to the due date and are worried it will not arrive in time, call the office first. They can tell you whether your account is flagged for late payment and may be able to note that a payment is in the mail.

Paying in person at the City of Durham office

You can walk in and pay cash, check, or money order at the City of Durham Water Management office. The office is located at 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701, on the first floor. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your bill or account number.

In-person payment is processed immediately and your receipt is your proof of payment. This is the only method where you can pay in cash without risk. If you do not have a bank account or prefer not to use it for online payments, this is your option.

What to do if your bill is overdue or you cannot pay on time

Water bills in Durham County are due 20 days after the bill date. If you do not pay by that date, the City of Durham adds a late fee to your next bill. If your account stays unpaid for 45 days, they send a notice of intent to shut off service.

If you know you cannot pay by the due date, contact the City of Durham before the deadline. Call (919) 560-4386 and ask about a payment plan or extension. The office may be able to delay shutoff while you arrange payment, but only if you reach out first. Waiting until after shutoff is much harder to reverse.

If your service has already been shut off, you will need to pay the full overdue balance plus a reconnection fee to restore water. The reconnection fee varies but is typically $50 to $100. Reconnection can take 24 to 48 hours after payment is received.

Understanding your bill and what you are paying for

Your Durham County water bill includes three main charges: water service, sewer service, and stormwater management. The water charge is based on how much water you used, measured in units called "hundred cubic feet" or HCF. One HCF equals about 748 gallons.

The sewer charge is a percentage of your water use — the assumption is that most water that comes in goes back out through the sewer system. Stormwater is a fixed fee that helps pay for drainage and flood control in Durham County.

Your bill also shows your meter reading from this month and last month. The difference is your usage. If your bill is much higher than usual, check for leaks: a running toilet or dripping faucet can add hundreds of gallons a month. If you think there is an error, contact the City of Durham and ask them to verify your meter reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Durham water bill with a credit card online?

Yes, the City of Durham's online portal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers. Credit card payments may include a small convenience fee that the system shows before you confirm. If you want to avoid the fee, use a debit card or bank transfer instead.

What happens if I pay late?

A late fee is added to your next bill if payment is not received by the due date. If your account remains unpaid for 45 days, the City of Durham sends a notice of intent to shut off service. If you reach 60 days unpaid, they can shut off your water without further notice.

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

Online payments post the same day you submit them. You can log back into your account and see the payment reflected in your balance immediately. Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days total.

Can I set up autopay and then cancel it later?

Yes. You can set up automatic bank draft through the City of Durham's online portal or by phone, and you can cancel it at any time by calling (919) 560-4386 or logging into your account online. There is no penalty for canceling.

What if I think my water bill is wrong?

Call the City of Durham Water Management at (919) 560-4386 and ask them to review your meter reading and usage. They can check whether your meter is working correctly and compare your current bill to your history. If there is a genuine error, they will adjust your bill.