Raleigh Water Billing Help Center for Payments, High Bills and Service Requests
Use this page when you need to pay a City of Raleigh utility bill, avoid a late fee, set AutoPay, start or stop service, request a payment plan, apply for UCAP assistance, check a high bill, request a leak adjustment, or follow current watering restrictions.
This guide is for Raleigh Water customers in Raleigh, Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon. It includes official links inside each step, so users can take action without searching again.
Fast answer: Raleigh Water utility bills are monthly and are due 20 days from the bill date. Pay online through Raleigh Water Self-Service, by phone at 888-905-3169, by mail, or at an official in-person payment location. For billing help, call 919-996-3245 or email customercare@raleighnc.gov.
Late / shutoff warning: a $5 late charge is applied to accounts with a past-due balance. If water or sewer service is interrupted for nonpayment, the full past-due balance must be paid before reconnection.
Raleigh Water Billing Quick Facts
Raleigh Water Billing Action Board: Use the Right Official Link
Most visitors need one practical action. Start with the card that matches the issue, then use the official link inside the step.
I need to pay now
Use Raleigh Water Self-Service for online payment, one-time payment, scheduled payment, e-check, PayPal, Venmo, card payment or recurring ACH.
Open payment portalI need phone payment
Call 888-905-3169. Have your payment method, utility account number and service address ZIP code ready.
See phone-pay instructionsI received a disconnection notice
Pay the full past-due balance through a real-time option: online, phone or official in-person location. Other methods may delay reconnection.
Read reconnection FAQI need more time to pay
Use Raleigh Water Self-Service to set up a payment plan if eligible, or contact Customer Care at 919-996-3245.
Open payment plan pageI need start, stop or transfer service
Use Raleigh Water Self-Service for start/stop/transfer. If stopping service, update your mailing address for the final bill.
Start / stop / transferI had a leak or pool fill
Repair first, collect proof, then submit the official adjustment request. You remain responsible for paying while the review is pending.
Request adjustmentHow to Pay a Raleigh Water Bill
| Payment method | Official detail | Best use | Official action link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online payment | Raleigh Water Self-Service accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, E-check, Venmo, PayPal and PayPal Credit. You can register/login or use one-time payment. | Best for most users, especially near due date. | Pay online |
| AutoPay bank draft | Monthly bank draft can prevent late fees and service disruptions. Use only U.S. financial institution accounts. | Best for stable recurring payments. | Enroll in AutoPay |
| AutoPay credit card | Automatic credit card payment is available through Raleigh Water Self-Service. You still receive the bill and email due-date reminders. | Convenient, but note the September 2026 processing-fee change. | Set card AutoPay |
| Phone payment | Call 888-905-3169 anytime. Have payment method, utility account number and service address ZIP code ready. | Good when portal login is not working. | Phone-pay details |
| Mail check or money order with the bill stub to City of Raleigh, PO Box 71081, Charlotte, NC 28272-1081. Do not mail cash. | Only when the due date is not close. | Mailing instructions | |
| Official in-person locations | Official locations include Raleigh Municipal Building Complex and town halls in Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon. | Best for same-day posting and cash users. | Payment locations |
September 1, 2026 Processing Fee: What Raleigh Customers Should Change
Card and wallet fee
Starting September 1, 2026, a three-percent processing fee applies to credit, debit and digital wallet payments, including PayPal, PayPal Credit and Venmo.
Read fee noticeNo-fee methods
Raleigh says eCheck, one-time ACH, checking/savings AutoPay, cash at official locations and check payments will not incur the new processing fee.
See no-fee optionsReview AutoPay
If you use card AutoPay, consider switching to checking/savings AutoPay before September 1 if you want to avoid the fee.
Update AutoPayLate Fee, Door Hanger, Disconnection and Reconnection
20-day due date
The billing cycle is monthly, and payment is due 20 days from the bill date.
Read due-date FAQLate charge
A $5 late charge is applied to accounts with a past-due balance. Past-due accounts can also be subject to service disconnection.
Late fee FAQReconnection
If service is disconnected for nonpayment, pay the full delinquent amount online, by phone or at an official payment location. Raleigh says service is restored automatically as quickly as possible.
Reconnection FAQCall script after a disconnection notice
Payment Plan, UCAP Assistance and Budget Billing
Payment plan
Raleigh payment plans are a maximum three-month period. Installments may be weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, and all new bills must be paid on time.
Open payment plan pageUCAP help
The Utility Customer Assistance Program can provide qualifying customers up to $275 per fiscal year, applied directly to the utility account.
Open UCAP assistanceBudget Billing
Budget Billing lets eligible customers pay the same metered-service amount each month, but accounts must be current and participants are not eligible for pay plans.
Open Budget BillingStart, Stop or Transfer Raleigh Water Service
Start service
Register or log in through Raleigh Water Self-Service to begin a start-service request. Turn off faucets and leave sink/tub stoppers open before connection to prevent flooding.
Start service instructionsStop service
Customers are responsible for stopping their account. The final bill is calculated from the last meter reading at the time service is disconnected.
Stop serviceTransfer service
If moving within the service area, log in to Raleigh Water Self-Service. If you do not stop service at the old address, you may remain responsible for bills there.
Transfer serviceName change or deceased account holder
For legal name changes or deceased account holder changes, contact Customer Care at 919-996-3245 or customercare@raleighnc.gov.
Manage accountRaleigh Utility Bill Explained: Water, Sewer, Stormwater and Solid Waste
Raleigh calls this a utility bill because it can include more than water. Charges can include water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, recycling and yard waste.
| Bill item | Official detail | What users should check | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water tiers inside city limits | Tier 1: 0–4 CCF at $3.11; Tier 2: 5–20 CCF at $5.41; Tier 3: 21+ CCF at $6.97. | Only the gallons within each tier are billed at that tier. The first 4 CCF are not all repriced when you reach 5 CCF. | Rate details |
| Irrigation meters | All irrigation-meter consumption is billed at Tier 3 rates. | Outdoor watering can raise the bill quickly, especially during drought restrictions. | Irrigation FAQ |
| Long billing cycle | If a cycle is greater than 33 days, Raleigh says the system prorates tiers. | Do not assume a longer read cycle automatically pushed all usage into a higher tier. | Billing-cycle FAQ |
| Administrative charges | Administrative charges cover billing and readiness-to-serve components. | These are not the same as leak-related usage and are not removed by a leak adjustment. | Utility Bill Explained |
| Meter re-read charge | A $50 fee may be assessed if a customer requests meter-reading verification and the reading is validated as correct. | Check your meter and usage history before requesting a re-read. | Fees and charges |
| Delinquent trip charge | Accounts past due and disconnected or receiving a disconnection hang tag may be assessed a $50 delinquent trip charge. | Pay before the trip/tag stage to avoid extra charges. | Late charges |
High Raleigh Water Bill Checklist Before You Pay or Dispute
Inside the home
- Running toilet or worn flapper.
- Faucet, shower, tub or under-sink leak.
- Water heater leak or overflow line.
- Ice maker, humidifier or washing-machine line.
Outside and seasonal use
- New sod, gardening or seasonal irrigation.
- Hose-end sprinkler use during Stage 1 restrictions.
- Car washing, pressure washing or pool filling.
- Wet soil near meter box or private service line.
On the bill
- Check CCF tier usage.
- Check billing-period length.
- Check late charge or trip charge.
- Separate water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste lines.
High-bill call script
Raleigh Leak Adjustment: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
Repair and document first
Contact a licensed plumber or contractor if needed, repair the leak, and keep the plumber’s receipt or other proof of repair.
Read leak adjustment rulesCheck eligibility
Usage must exceed your monthly average by at least two times. Accessible and non-accessible leaks are treated differently.
Check eligibilitySubmit the form
Complete the online form or send the form with repair proof by email, fax, mail or in person.
Apply for adjustmentKeep paying while reviewed
Raleigh says customers remain responsible for the entire due amount while the adjustment request is under review. If you need more time, request a payment plan.
Request pay planStage 1 Raleigh Water Restrictions: What Customers Can and Cannot Do
Stage 1 restrictions went into effect April 20, 2026, and apply to Raleigh Water customers in Raleigh, Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon. Check the official alert before watering because drought rules can change.
| Outdoor activity | Stage 1 rule | Practical tip | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic / in-ground sprinklers | Odd addresses: Tuesday. Even addresses: Wednesday. Time: midnight to 10 a.m. | Reset controller after power outages or landscaper visits. | Conservation stages |
| Hose-end sprinklers | Odd addresses: Tuesday. Even addresses: Wednesday. Allowed 6 a.m.–10 a.m. or 6 p.m.–10 p.m. | Do not confuse hose-end sprinkler with hand-held hose. | Stage 1 alert |
| Hand-held watering | Allowed anytime during Stage 1, but someone must be holding the hose. | Use this for flowers and vegetables instead of setting a sprinkler down. | Watering rules |
| Drip irrigation | Allowed during Stage 1. | Still monitor for leaks and overuse. | Drip irrigation rule |
| New landscaping | Raleigh is not granting watering exemptions for new landscaping installed after April 20, 2026. | If installed before that date, gather receipts before asking about a variance. | Variance note |
| Leaks | Leaks must be fixed within 48 hours after written notice. | Document the repair in case the bill spikes and you request adjustment. | Leak rule |
Consumer Alerts, Meter Issues and Official Contacts
Private water testing / line coverage offers
Raleigh warns that private companies may contact customers about water testing or sewer/water line protection. The City does not endorse those programs.
Read customer alertsReport leaks or damage
To report leaks or damage to fire hydrants, water mains or water valves, call 919-996-3245.
Report a leakMeter re-read caution
A $50 meter re-read fee can be assessed if the meter reading is validated as correct. Review usage first.
Meter re-read feeRaleigh Municipal Building Payment Counter Map and Visit Plan
The Raleigh Municipal Building payment location is the Avery C. Upchurch Municipal Complex, First Floor Revenue Services Lobby, 222 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC. Use an official location if you need same-day in-person posting.
Bring
Bill stub, utility account number, service address ZIP code, ID if needed, payment method, disconnection notice, leak repair proof, and current mailing address.
Ask before leaving
“Is this payment posted to my utility account today, and does any past-due balance, trip charge, late charge or reconnection issue remain?”
Main customer phone
For service during normal business hours and after-hours emergencies, call 919-996-3245.
Official Raleigh Water Billing Links Used in This Guide
Raleigh Water Billing FAQ
How do I pay my Raleigh water bill online?
Use Raleigh Water Self-Service. You can register and log in, or use the one-time payment option. The portal accepts card, e-check, Venmo, PayPal and PayPal Credit, and it also supports scheduled and recurring payments.
What phone number do I call to pay a Raleigh utility bill?
Call 888-905-3169 to use the automated payment system. Have your payment method, utility account number and service address ZIP code ready.
When is a Raleigh Water bill due?
Raleigh utility bills are monthly, and payment is due 20 days from the bill date.
How much is the Raleigh utility bill late charge?
A $5 late charge is applied to accounts with a past-due balance. Past-due accounts can also be subject to water or wastewater service disconnection.
What happens if my water is disconnected for nonpayment?
You must pay the full delinquent amount before reconnection. If payment is made online, by phone or at an official payment location, Raleigh says service will be restored automatically as quickly as possible.
Can I get a payment plan?
Yes, if your account is eligible. Raleigh payment plans last a maximum of three months, and installments may be weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. You must also pay new bills by the due date.
Can I get help paying my Raleigh water bill?
Qualified customers may receive up to $275 per fiscal year through the Utility Customer Assistance Program, with funds applied directly to the utility account. Applications are handled through Wake County Human Services.
How do I start, stop or transfer Raleigh Water service?
Use Raleigh Water Self-Service for start, stop or transfer requests. If stopping service, update your mailing address because the final bill is based on the last meter reading at disconnection.
How do I request a leak adjustment?
Repair the leak, keep proof of repair, then complete the official adjustment form. Usage must exceed the monthly average by at least two times, and only one leak adjustment is allowed per 12 months, including swimming pool adjustments.
What are Raleigh Stage 1 water restrictions?
During Stage 1, automatic and in-ground sprinklers are limited to odd addresses on Tuesday and even addresses on Wednesday from midnight to 10 a.m. Hose-end sprinklers are limited to allowed days and time windows, while hand-held watering and drip irrigation are allowed.