Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities Phone Number, Office Hours, Online Pay and Late Bill Help
If you need to pay a Winston-Salem water or stormwater bill, call the department, visit Utilities Customer Service, check office hours, set up new service, handle a late bill or restore disconnected service, this guide gives you the official phone numbers, payment routes and step-by-step help in one place.
Winston-Salem water bill pay can mean different things: online payment, phone payment, walk-in payment, drive-through payment, drop box payment, starting service, stopping service, making a payment arrangement, handling a high bill or restoring disconnected service.
The safest starting point is the official Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities payment page or the official Water/Stormwater Bill Payment portal. For phone help, call CityLink at 311 within Winston-Salem city limits or 336-727-8000.
☎️ Call Winston-Salem water billing
Use this for: phone payment, account questions, past-due arrangements, starting or stopping service, high bill questions and customer service help.
Before calling: keep your 7-digit account number, 4-digit PIN, service address, balance, payment method and issue details ready.
Best safe habit: call 311 from inside Winston-Salem city limits or 336-727-8000 directly instead of using a number from a suspicious text or email.
Winston-Salem Water Bill Phone, Hours and Pay Quick Facts
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities routes billing and customer support through CityLink. The official payment page lists 336-727-8000 and 311 within Winston-Salem city limits for phone payment by Visa, Mastercard or Discover.
For online payment, the official Water/Stormwater portal asks for your 7-digit account number and 4-digit PIN, which is the last four digits of the customer number printed on your bill.
What This Winston-Salem Water Bill Guide Covers
Winston-Salem Water Department Phone Number and Office Hours
The main phone route for Winston-Salem water billing is CityLink at 311 inside Winston-Salem city limits or 336-727-8000. Use this number for bill payment, payment arrangements, starting or stopping service and account questions.
Utilities Customer Service is listed at the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, 100 East First Street, Suite 121, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. The official pages list hours as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
| Need | Official route | Hours / note | Prepare before calling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone payment | 336-727-8000 or 311 | Use CityLink route | 7-digit account number, 4-digit PIN, payment method |
| Customer service | 336-727-8000 or 311 | Utilities office: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri | Account number, service address, question or bill issue |
| In-person service | 100 East First Street, Suite 121 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri | Bill, ID if needed, payment method, account details |
| Second payment office | 2301 North Patterson Avenue | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri | Bill/account details and payment method |
| CityLink contact | Text 855-481-LINK or email citylink@cityofws.org | Use phone for urgent billing/payment issues | Clear request and account details |
How to Pay Winston-Salem Water Bill Online
The official Water/Stormwater Bill Payment portal lets customers pay bills and manage account tasks. The login screen asks for your water bill account number and PIN.
After login, the portal says customers can sign up for paperless billing, see account information, view bills, make payments, request a service disconnect, request a meter-reading investigation for higher-than-normal consumption, correct account information, add service locations, start or stop irrigation service and send general comments.
Open the official portal
Use the official City of Winston-Salem Water/Stormwater Bill Payment portal.
Enter account number and PIN
Use your 7-digit account number and 4-digit PIN from the bill. The official payment page explains that the PIN is the last four digits of your customer number.
Choose payment or account action
Make a payment, view bill details, request meter-reading investigation or update account details depending on your need.
Check balance before submitting
Review total due, due date, late charge, termination notice status and any past-due amount before paying.
Save proof of payment
Save your confirmation number, payment date, amount and account number until the payment is reflected on your account.
How to Pay Winston-Salem Water Bill by Phone
The official payment page says customers can call CityLink for payment by Visa, Mastercard or Discover. The listed phone number is 336-727-8000, or 311 within Winston-Salem city limits.
Phone payment is helpful when you do not want to use the online portal or need to ask a question before paying. It is especially useful if your account is past due and you need to confirm whether payment is enough to stop termination.
Call CityLink
Dial 311 in city limits or 336-727-8000 for water bill payment and account help.
Official phone routeHave bill ready
Use the 7-digit account number and 4-digit PIN before calling.
Saves timeFind your account number and PIN
Get the 7-digit account number and 4-digit PIN from your water bill before calling.
Call the official number
Dial 336-727-8000 or 311 if you are inside Winston-Salem city limits.
Ask for the correct action
Say whether you need to pay current balance, set up a payment arrangement, restore service, start service, stop service or ask about a high bill.
Confirm payment details
Confirm the amount, card type, account number and whether any late fee, reconnection fee or payment plan rule applies.
Write down confirmation
Keep the confirmation number, date, time and amount paid.
Winston-Salem Water Bill In-Person Payment Locations and Hours
The official payment page lists walk-in and drive-through options. The main Utilities Customer Service location is the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building at 100 East First Street, Suite 121.
A second listed walk-in or drive-through location is Black-Phillips-Smith Government Office at 2301 North Patterson Avenue. Check the correct office and hours before going.
| Location | Address | Hours | Useful note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building | 100 East First Street, Suite 121, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday | Walk-in, drive-through and 24-hour drop box at Church Street door |
| Black-Phillips-Smith Government Office | 2301 North Patterson Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday | Official page lists walk-in or drive-through |
Winston-Salem Water Bill Drop Box Rules
The official payment page says a 24-hour drop box is available at the Church Street door of the Stuart Building. This is useful if you want to leave a payment outside counter hours.
However, timing matters. The official page says payments placed in the box after 8 a.m. or on weekends and holidays will not be processed until the next business day.
Use the correct building
The drop box is at the Church Street door of the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building.
Include account details
Include the bill stub or write your account number clearly on the check or money order.
Do not use it for urgent cutoff-day payment
If the payment is placed after 8 a.m., on a weekend or holiday, it is not processed until the next business day.
Winston-Salem Water Bill Payment Plans and Past-Due Rules
The official payment page says customers unable to pay the total amount by the due date must call CityLink 311 or 336-727-8000 to make payment arrangements and avoid disconnection.
The payment-plan rules are very specific. You must first pay at least half the delinquent balance before a payment plan can be established. The official page lists terms as three to six months of interest-free installments.
| Past-due item | Official rule | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Who to call | CityLink 311 or 336-727-8000 | Payment arrangements must be handled through CityLink or Utilities Customer Service |
| Initial amount | At least half the delinquent balance must be paid first | You may need money ready before a plan can start |
| Plan length | Three to six months of interest-free installments | Ask for exact installment amount and due dates |
| New bills | Payment plans do not cover new bills, charges or fees | You must pay new bills on time in addition to the plan |
| Protection | If monthly installments and all new bills are paid on time, additional late fees and disconnection are avoided | Missing the plan or new bill can restart problems |
Winston-Salem Water Bill Late Fees, Termination Notices and Disconnection
The official payment page says if bill payment is not received by the due date, a 10% late charge is added to the amount due and a termination notice is sent within seven days.
The official page also says customers are given at least fourteen days from the date the termination notice is sent to make payment. If payment on a past-due account is not received by 5 p.m. on the termination date, a $20 late fee is applied and service is scheduled for disconnection.
10% late charge: added to the amount due if payment is not received by the due date.
Termination notice: sent within seven days after delinquency according to the official page.
At least 14 days: customers are given at least fourteen days from the termination notice date to make payment.
$20 late fee: applied if payment is not received by 5 p.m. on the termination date.
How Reconnection Works After Winston-Salem Water Service Disconnection
If your service is disconnected for non-payment, the official payment page says the full past-due balance plus the reconnection fee must be paid to restore service.
Timing also matters. The official page says if payment is made before 5 p.m. on business days, service will be restored the same day. If payment is made after 5 p.m., service will be restored on the following business day.
Confirm total required amount
Call 336-727-8000 or 311 and ask for the full past-due balance, reconnection fee and any additional amount required.
Pay before the cutoff if you need same-day service
The official page says payment before 5 p.m. on business days allows same-day restoration. After 5 p.m., restoration moves to the following business day.
Understand online payment reconnection queue
The online portal disclaimer says disconnected services will be reconnected after online payment only between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and payments made outside normal business hours are queued for the next available business day.
Save confirmation and call if needed
Keep payment confirmation and call CityLink if service is not restored within the expected window.
Start, Stop or Transfer Winston-Salem Water Service
The official start-service page says customers can call CityLink at 336-727-8000 or visit Utilities Customer Service at 100 East First Street, Suite 121. The office hours listed are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
For new service, the official page says a $30 service initiation fee will be added to the first bill. It also explains that deposits may be assessed based on credit evaluation.
Open the official start/stop page
Use Start, Stop or Transfer Service for official requirements.
Call CityLink or visit in person
Call 336-727-8000 or visit 100 East First Street, Suite 121, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
Prepare new service information
Provide the name to be used on the account, date to start service, service address, mailing address if different, lease if renting, and SSN/TIN for credit evaluation if available.
Understand same-day start rule
The official page says if the request is received by CityLink before 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, water can typically be turned on the same day. After hours, weekends or holidays, service starts the next business day.
Stop service properly when moving out
To stop service, call CityLink and provide a forwarding address for the final bill. The official page says service is disconnected within 24 hours except on weekends and holidays.
Winston-Salem Water Service Deposits and Setup Fees
The official start-service page says a $30 service initiation fee will be added to the first bill. It also says a deposit may be assessed based on credit evaluation and must be paid before service starts if required.
If you do not provide a TIN or SSN, the official start-service page says you will automatically be required to pay a $150 deposit. The online portal disclaimer also says typical security deposits are $50 and deposits may be up to $150 based on credit evaluation.
| Fee / deposit | Official detail | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Service initiation fee | $30 added to first bill on the start-service page | Budget for this setup charge when opening service |
| Credit-based deposit | Deposit may be assessed based on credit evaluation | Provide SSN/TIN if you want credit evaluation considered |
| No SSN/TIN deposit | $150 deposit automatically required if no TIN or SSN is provided | Skipping SSN/TIN may increase upfront cost |
| Disconnected for non-payment | Deposit may be required after termination for non-payment | Past-due problems can create extra future costs |
Winston-Salem Water Bill Looks High? Check These First
A high water bill can come from real usage, a toilet leak, irrigation, longer billing period, meter-reading issue, past-due balance or late charges. The online portal specifically lists the ability to request an investigation of meter reading for higher-than-normal consumption.
Before calling, compare your bill details and usage clues. A prepared call is faster and more helpful.
Silent toilet leaks can waste large amounts of water without obvious sound.
Outdoor watering can make seasonal bills jump quickly.
A longer billing cycle can make the total look higher.
Old unpaid amounts can make a normal bill look extreme.
A 10% late charge can add to the total due after the due date.
Use the portal to request meter-reading investigation if usage seems wrong.
Confirm you are viewing the right property account.
Smart meters are designed to help detect leaks and improve usage visibility.
First bills may include setup charges or deposits.
Log in to the portal
Open Water/Stormwater Bill Payment and review bill details.
Check for leaks
Inspect toilets, faucets, irrigation, basement pipes, water heater area and visible wet spots.
Request meter-reading investigation if needed
The online portal lists a request for investigation of meter reading for higher-than-normal consumption.
Call CityLink with exact facts
Call 336-727-8000 or 311 and explain the billing period, amount, usage change and leak checks completed.
Winston-Salem Water Bill Payment Scam Safety Checklist
Utility scams often use panic. A caller may claim your water will be disconnected immediately unless you pay through a gift card, wire transfer, crypto wallet or unfamiliar phone number.
Use official City of Winston-Salem links, the official payment portal, 311 or 336-727-8000. If a message worries you, close it and call CityLink directly.
Call 311 or 336-727-8000.
Start from cityofws.org or waterbills.cityofws.org.
No legitimate water bill should require gift cards.
Treat crypto or wire-transfer demands as suspicious.
Make sure the bill and payment route match your property.
Keep payment confirmation numbers and screenshots.
Official Winston-Salem Water Bill Links, Phone Numbers and Customer Service Resources
Use these official city resources for Winston-Salem water and stormwater bill payment, phone payment, late payment help, start/stop service, high bill review and customer support.
Water Bill Payment Options
Phone payment, in-person locations, past-due rules, late fees and payment arrangements.
Open Payment OptionsOnline Payment Portal
Pay water/stormwater bill, view bill, e-notify, account tools and meter investigation.
Open Payment PortalStart/Stop/Transfer
Start service, stop service, transfer service, deposits and service initiation details.
Open Service PageCityLink
Call for water billing, payment arrangements, start/stop service and support.
Call 336-727-8000Residential Utilities
Start service, bill pay, late payment, high bill, rates, leaks and residential help.
Open Residential PageWS/FC Utilities
Main utilities page for water, sewer, rates, projects and service resources.
Open UtilitiesWaterSavvy
Smart meter program, leak detection, future customer portal and usage visibility details.
Open WaterSavvyWinston-Salem Utilities Customer Service Map
The main Utilities Customer Service location for in-person payment, drive-through service and customer support is Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, 100 East First Street, Suite 121, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building
100 East First Street, Suite 121, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Winston-Salem Water Bill Phone, Hours and Payment FAQs
What is the Winston-Salem water bill phone number?
Call CityLink at 336-727-8000 or dial 311 within Winston-Salem city limits. Use this number for phone payment, billing questions, payment arrangements, start/stop service and account help.
What are Winston-Salem Utilities Customer Service hours?
The official pages list Utilities Customer Service at Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building as open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Black-Phillips-Smith Government Office is listed as open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Where can I pay a Winston-Salem water bill in person?
You can pay in person or use the drive-through at Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, 100 East First Street, Suite 121. The official payment page also lists Black-Phillips-Smith Government Office at 2301 North Patterson Avenue.
What do I need to pay by phone?
Have your 7-digit account number and 4-digit PIN ready. The official payment page says the PIN is the last four digits of your customer number.
Can I pay my Winston-Salem water bill online?
Yes. Use the official Water/Stormwater Bill Payment portal. You can log in with account number and PIN, view the bill, make payment and manage several account requests.
What is the Winston-Salem water bill late fee?
The official payment page says if payment is not received by the due date, a 10% late charge is added to the amount due and a termination notice is sent within seven days.
How do Winston-Salem water payment plans work?
Customers unable to pay the full amount by the due date must call CityLink. The official page says at least half the delinquent balance must be paid before a payment plan can be established, and terms are three to six months of interest-free installments.
What happens if Winston-Salem water service is disconnected?
To restore service after non-payment, the full past-due balance plus reconnection fee must be paid. Payments before 5 p.m. on business days can restore service the same day, while payments after 5 p.m. restore service the following business day.
How do I start water service in Winston-Salem?
Call CityLink at 336-727-8000 or visit Utilities Customer Service at 100 East First Street, Suite 121. The official page says requests received before 5 p.m. Monday-Friday can typically be turned on the same day.
What should I do if my Winston-Salem water bill is unusually high?
Log in to the official portal, compare usage, check for leaks and request an investigation of meter reading if consumption looks higher than normal. Also call CityLink if you need account-specific help.
Before You Call or Pay Your Winston-Salem Water Bill
For normal water bill payment, use the official online portal or call CityLink at 311 or 336-727-8000. Keep your 7-digit account number and 4-digit PIN ready before you start.
For past-due bills, act early. A 10% late charge can apply after the due date, payment arrangements require calling CityLink, and at least half the delinquent balance must be paid before a payment plan can be established. For disconnected service, confirm the full amount, reconnection fee and restoration timing before paying.