How to Pay Your Water Bill in Forsyth County

Paying your water bill in Forsyth County can be easy and convenient when you know all of your options. This guide will walk you through the various ways to pay your Forsyth County water bill, from online payments to mailing in checks. We’ll provide tips to make sure your payments go through on time, avoiding any late fees.

Online Payments

Paying online is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to pay your Forsyth County water bill, Here are the online payment options

• Pay on the Forsyth County Website: You can make one-time payments on the Forsyth County website using a credit card or e-check. You’ll need your 7-digit account number and 4-digit PIN from your water bill to log in and pay.

• Set Up Auto Pay: For recurring payments, set up auto pay through your bank by providing them the payment info from your water bill. Many banks allow you to set a recurring payment through their online bill pay services.

• Pay through the City of Winston-Salem: The city handles water billing for Forsyth County, so you can also pay online at the City of Winston-Salem website.

Paying online is fast, and you can avoid having to mail in checks or visit a payment center. Just be sure to pay by the due date to avoid late fees.

Pay by Phone

If you prefer to speak to someone directly you can pay your Forsyth County water bill over the phone

• Call CityLink at 336-727-8000 (or 311 within Winston-Salem city limits)
• Provide your 7-digit account number and 4-digit PIN
• Make a payment via credit card

Calling in is convenient if you have your bill information handy. However, hold times can be longer than paying online.

Pay by Mail

To pay your water bill by mail, follow these steps:

• Use the return payment envelope provided with your bill

• Write your check or money order payable to the City of Winston-Salem

• Include your payment stub from the bill in the envelope

• Mail to:

  City of Winston-Salem
  Revenue Collections
  PO Box 2756
  Winston-Salem, NC 27102-2756

This is an easy option if you prefer to pay by check. Just make sure to mail your payment several days before the due date to ensure it arrives on time. Late payments sent by mail will still incur late fees.

Pay in Person

You can also pay your Forsyth County water bill in person at one of these locations:

• Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building

  • 100 East First Street, Suite 121, Winston-Salem
  • Drive-thru open 8am-5pm Monday-Friday
  • 24/7 drop box available

• Black-Phillips-Smith Government Center

  • 2301 North Patterson Avenue, Winston-Salem
  • Open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday

Paying in person allows you to get same day receipt of payment. However, you may need to wait in line during high traffic times.

Tips for Avoiding Late Fees

To avoid getting hit with late fees on your Forsyth County water bill, keep these tips in mind:

• Pay by the due date – This is listed on your bill. Payments after the due date incur a 10% late fee.
• Pay online – This ensures fastest delivery of your payment.
• Set up auto pay – Set up recurring payments so you never forget.
• Mail early – If paying by mail, send at least 5 business days before the due date.
• Pay the full amount – Partial payments still receive late fees if not paid in full.
• Review billing cycles – You may have monthly or bi-monthly bills, so check your statement.
• Update contact info – Make sure your account has the right mailing address, email, and phone number.

Payment Arrangements

If you are unable to pay the full balance of your water bill by the due date, you can call to set up a payment plan. This allows you to pay your outstanding balance in installments over 3-6 months.

To qualify for a payment plan, you must:

• Pay at least half of the overdue balance immediately
• Agree to monthly payments over 3-6 months
• Pay all new bills by their due dates

Payment plans can help avoid service interruption and additional late fees. Just be sure to pay the arranged installments on time.

Deposits for Service Restoration

If your water service is disconnected due to non-payment, you may need to pay a deposit for service restoration. Deposit amounts are based on your average monthly bill.

For residential accounts with bills under $50, the deposit is a minimum of $50. For bills over $50, the deposit is 1.5 times the average monthly bill.

Be sure to pay off all past due balances before service can be restored. The deposit will be billed on your next monthly statement.

Keeping Your Account Updated

To avoid any payment issues or confusion with your Forsyth County water bill, be sure to keep your account up to date. You can manage your account on the City of Winston-Salem website.

Update any of these as needed:

• Mailing address
• Email address
• Phone number
• Automatic bank draft
• Paperless billing

Keeping your contact information current ensures you receive bills and notices on time. Opting for paperless billing and auto pay can also make paying your water bill easier.

Review Billing Cycles

Forsyth County provides either monthly or bi-monthly billing cycles depending on your location. Check your statement to see if you are on a monthly or bi-monthly schedule. This way, you’ll know when to expect your next bill.

Some parts of the county receive bills every month. Others receive a bill every other month covering a two-month period. Just be aware of your specific billing cycle.

For bi-monthly billing, your due date will be the same each month. For example, bills may be due on the 25th of every month, even if you only receive a bill every other month.

Ask Questions and Get Help

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Forsyth County or the City of Winston-Salem if you have any questions about your water bill payment options. You can:

• Call CityLink at 336-727-8000 or 311
• Email questions to [email protected]
• Visit the Utility Customer Service desk at the Municipal Building

The customer service team can explain your bill, account history, rates, and any other questions you may have. They can also help with setting up payment plans if needed.

Paying your water bill in Forsyth County is simple when you know all the online, phone, mail and in-person options. Just be sure to pay the full amount by each due date. And reach out for help if you ever need clarification or bill assistance. Staying on top of payments ensures you keep your water flowing on time every month!