Hickory Utility Billing Help for Online Pay, New Service, Reconnection and Water Restrictions
This guide is for City of Hickory water and sewer customers who need to pay online, call Billing & Collections, activate service, stop or transfer service, set up bank draft, use the drive-up window, reconnect after nonpayment, or understand the current drought restrictions.
The safest shortcut: use the official Paymentus system for normal bills, call 828-323-7424 for account-specific payment/start/stop questions, and call 828-328-5551 for after-hours water service issues.
Fast answer: City of Hickory customers can pay water, sewer, solid waste and commercial waste utility billings online through the official Paymentus system, make a quick “Pay Now” payment, register for paperless billing and AutoPay, pay by phone by calling 828-323-7424, pay in person at Billing & Collections on the second floor of City Hall, or use the drive-up window behind City Hall.
Reconnect warning: if water/sewer service was disconnected for nonpayment, Hickory’s Water Utility Information page says both past-due bills, a $45 late fee, the $162 water deposit, and any applicable returned-check, after-hours reconnect or tampering fees must be paid before reconnection.
City of Hickory Water Bill Quick Facts
Hickory Water Bill Action Board
Start here. Pick the situation that matches your account and use the official City path beside it.
I need to pay online
Use the official Paymentus system. You can make a quick Pay Now payment or register for future payments, history, consumption and paperless billing.
Open official pay pageI need to start service
Prepare the application, lease if renting, valid photo ID, Social Security number and $162 deposit. Service connects next business day after deposit is received.
Activation rulesMy service was disconnected
Call Billing & Collections and confirm the exact reconnect balance before paying. Multiple fees may apply after nonpayment shutoff.
Call 828-323-7424I want automatic payment
Use the City’s bank draft option or Paymentus AutoPay. Bank draft takes about 45 days before drafting begins.
Bank draft infoI need after-hours water help
For an active water service issue after hours, use the 24-hour dispatcher number listed by the City.
Call 828-328-5551I need drought rules
Hickory is under Stage 2 mandatory restrictions on the official drought page. Check it before watering, washing vehicles or filling pools.
Check drought pageHow to Pay a Hickory Water Bill Online
Open the official City page first
Start from Hickory’s official online payment page, not a search ad or third-party bill site.
Official payment pageChoose Pay Now or register
Paymentus shows a One-Time Payment box and a Login box. Use Pay Now for a quick bill or Register Now for future account tools.
Paymentus instructionsUse your utility account number
The City says you need your utility water account number to link your account to your online profile.
Call if account failsSave confirmation
Save the confirmation number, payment date, account number and amount. If the bill is past due, call Billing & Collections after paying.
Confirm urgent paymentPayment Options: Online, Phone, Drive-Up Window, Drop Box and Office
| Payment method | Official detail | Best for | Important warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Paymentus | Pay Now, registered login, AutoPay, paperless billing, history and consumption information. | Normal monthly payments and account management. | If the account is already disconnected, call before relying on online payment alone. |
| Phone payment / billing help | Call 828-323-7424. | Payment help, account questions, start/stop/transfer, reconnect balance. | Have account number, service address and bill ready. |
| Drive-up window | Behind City Hall; accepts cash, check, money order, credit/debit card. | In-person payment without going upstairs. | Open Monday–Friday, 9am–12pm and 2pm–4:30pm. |
| 24-hour drop box | Located at the drive-up window. | After-hours check/money order drop-off. | Do not use slow drop-off if service is at immediate risk. |
| Billing & Collections office | Second floor of City Hall, 76 N Center Street. | Account disputes, service activation, final bill, reconnect questions. | Bring ID and account documents if starting/changing service. |
| Bank draft | Checking or savings draft after authorization; begins in about 45 days. | Customers who want automatic payment from a bank account. | Keep paying manually until bill says “Bank Draft–Do Not Pay.” |
Activate City of Hickory Water and Sewer Service
Hickory publishes a specific activation checklist. Prepare documents before your move-in date so service is not delayed.
Application required
Complete the Application for Service form to activate water and sewer service.
Activation detailsLease details for renters
The lease must be signed by both tenant and landlord and include the location address, effective occupancy date and signatures.
Lease ruleID, SSN and deposit
The City lists valid photo ID, Social Security number and a $162 deposit for activation.
Confirm with BillingConfirm the service address
Some Hickory-area addresses may be near city or county utility boundaries. Confirm the account is billed by the City of Hickory before applying.
Call BillingSubmit form and deposit
Service will be connected on the next business day after the deposit is received.
Billing office pageReconnect Water and Sewer Service After Nonpayment
Hickory’s reconnection directions are clear: the account must be brought current with required fees. Call before paying if service has already been disconnected.
| Reconnect item | Amount / rule listed by City | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Past-due bills | Both past-due bills must be paid. | Ask Billing for exact current balance before paying. |
| Late fee | $45 late fee. | Include it in reconnect amount if already assessed. |
| Outside-normal-hours reconnect | $50 for evenings, weekends and holidays. | Ask whether this applies before expecting same-day service. |
| Water deposit | $162 water deposit. | Listed in the reconnect directions. |
| Returned check fee | $35 returned check fee. | Ask if any returned-payment fee is on your account. |
| Tampering fee | $175 tampering fee. | Do not restore or alter meter/service yourself. |
Reconnect call script
Bank Draft for Hickory Water and Sewer Bills
Checking or savings
Hickory can automatically draft a checking or savings account for water and/or sewer bills.
Bank draft pageVoid document required
Include a void check for checking drafts or a void savings/deposit withdrawal slip for savings drafts.
Draft requirementsAbout 45 days
The City says it takes approximately 45 days before the bank begins drafting from the selected account.
Ask BillingStop or Transfer Hickory Water Service
Stop service
The City says terminating water and sewer service requires a signed Application for Termination of Service.
Termination ruleTransfer service
For stop, start or transfer service questions, call 828-323-7424 or email collectionsstaff@hickorync.gov.
Email BillingFinal bill
Ask where the final bill will be sent and whether bank draft or AutoPay should remain active until final billing is complete.
Call before movingHigh Hickory Water Bill: What to Check First
A high bill can come from usage, sewer charges, solid waste/commercial waste charges, a deposit or fee, an actual leak, a drought violation surcharge, or a first-bill timing issue.
Indoor leak checks
- Test toilets with food coloring.
- Listen for running toilets after flushing.
- Check faucets, water heater and crawlspace.
- Look for damp flooring, wall spots or slab signs.
Outdoor use checks
- Review irrigation days and drought restrictions.
- Check hose bibs and sprinkler heads.
- Look for soft ground near the service line.
- Confirm no pool filling or vehicle washing during restrictions.
Bill-line checks
- Separate water, sewer, solid waste and commercial waste charges.
- Check late fee, returned-check fee or tampering fee.
- Compare the service period to the prior bill.
- Ask whether the meter reading is actual or estimated.
High-bill call script
Current Drought Status: Stage 2 Mandatory Water Restrictions
Hickory’s drought page says the City entered Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol due to ongoing dry conditions in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin. Check the official drought page before outdoor water use because conditions can change.
| Stage 2 rule | What Hickory lists | Practical bill impact |
|---|---|---|
| Irrigation frequency | Customers may irrigate no more than two days per week. | Reset irrigation timers; high outdoor use can raise the bill and trigger violation risk. |
| Prohibited irrigation days | Irrigation is prohibited on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. | Do not run automatic sprinklers on those days. |
| Vehicle washing | No residential vehicle washing. | Commercial car washes are the safer option during Stage 2. |
| Water features | Do not operate ornamental fountains or water features that do not support animal life. | Turn off decorative features to avoid violation and reduce usage. |
| Swimming pools | Do not fill residential swimming pools; do not top off pools on prohibited irrigation days. | Pool filling can cause a high bill and Stage 2 violation risk. |
| Violations | Violation surcharges can be applied to the utility bill, and repeated violations can risk irrigation service. | Call Public Utilities if you are unsure whether an activity is allowed. |
Goal
Stage 2 aims to reduce overall water use by 5–10% to preserve reservoir storage and sustain downstream needs.
Drought pageAllowed garden use
The City FAQ says hand watering, soaker hoses and drip irrigation are allowed.
Drought FAQDrought questions
For drought or Public Utilities questions, contact Public Utilities at 828-323-7427.
Call Public UtilitiesBilling & Collections vs Public Utilities: Who to Contact
| Need | Best contact | Why | Direct action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay bill, account balance, start/stop/transfer service | Billing & Collections | This division handles water/sewer billing, meter reading questions, bill inquiries and customer service. | Call 828-323-7424 |
| Water/sewer taps, meter reading, bill inquiry | Billing & Collections | Collections staff can answer questions relating to taps, meter reading, bill inquiries and customer service. | Email Billing |
| Water/sewer system operations | Public Utilities | Public Utilities manages potable water production/delivery, wastewater collection/treatment and enterprise fund operations. | Call 828-323-7427 |
| After-hours water service issue | 24-hour dispatcher | Use for active after-hours water service issues, not normal billing questions. | Call 828-328-5551 |
| Water leak under street, fire hydrant, meter area | Public Utilities / dispatcher | The Public Utilities FAQ says water from under pavement, a hydrant, or around a meter may indicate a main or service line leak. | Public Utilities page |
Hickory Billing & Collections Map and Visit Plan
Billing & Collections is located at City Hall, 76 N Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601, on the second floor. The drive-up window is behind City Hall.
Bring
Bill, utility account number, service address, photo ID, Social Security number if activating service, lease or termination form, payment receipt, and any reconnect notice.
Ask
“Is my account current, is any late/reconnect/deposit amount due, and will this payment protect or restore service today?”
Drive-up window
Open Monday–Friday, 9am–12pm and 2pm–4:30pm. The 24-hour drop box is at the drive-up window.
Official City of Hickory Water Bill Links
City of Hickory Water Bill FAQ
How do I pay my City of Hickory water bill online?
Use Hickory’s official online payment system through the City website. The system uses Paymentus and offers Pay Now, registered login, AutoPay, paperless billing, payment history, consumption information and past billing statements.
What is the City of Hickory water bill phone number?
Call Billing & Collections / Customer Service at 828-323-7424 for water and sewer utility bill payment, start service, stop service, transfer service, meter reading, bill inquiry and account questions.
Where is Hickory Billing & Collections located?
Billing & Collections is located on the second floor of City Hall at 76 N Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601.
Can I pay my Hickory water bill by phone?
Yes. Hickory’s online payment page says customers can pay water utility bills by phone by calling 828-323-7424.
What do I need to activate Hickory water and sewer service?
Hickory lists an application for service, a signed lease agreement if renting, valid photo ID, Social Security number and a $162 deposit. Service is connected the next business day after the deposit is received.
What must be paid to reconnect Hickory water service after nonpayment?
The City lists both past-due bills, a $45 late fee, $162 water deposit, and any applicable $50 outside-normal-hours reconnect fee, $35 returned-check fee or $175 tampering fee.
Does Hickory offer bank draft for water bills?
Yes. Hickory offers bank draft from checking or savings. It takes approximately 45 days before drafting begins, so customers should keep paying manually until the bill says “Bank Draft–Do Not Pay.”
Who do I call for after-hours water service issues in Hickory?
For after-hours water service issues, call the 24-hour dispatcher at 828-328-5551.
What are Hickory Stage 2 drought restrictions?
Under Stage 2, Hickory lists mandatory restrictions including irrigation no more than two days per week, no irrigation on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, no residential vehicle washing, no filling residential pools, and limits on ornamental water features.
How do I stop or transfer Hickory water service?
Call 828-323-7424 or email collectionsstaff@hickorync.gov. To terminate water and sewer service, the City lists a signed Application for Termination of Service requirement.