Where to pay your Durham water bill

The City of Durham offers several ways to pay your water bill. You can pay online through the city's website, by phone, by mail, or in person at the Durham Customer Service Center. Each method takes a different amount of time and requires different information, so the fastest route depends on when your bill is due.

Online payment through the city's website is the quickest option if you have your account number and a debit or credit card. Phone payment also works the same day if you call during business hours. Mail and in-person payments take longer — mail typically arrives within 5 to 7 business days, and in-person payment is when ready but requires you to travel to the service center during operating hours.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the Durham Customer Service Center.
  • Online and phone payments process the same day, while mail payments take 5 to 7 business days to reach the city.
  • You will need your account number to pay online or by phone, which appears on your bill.
  • The Customer Service Center is located at 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701, and accepts walk-in payments during business hours.
  • Setting up automatic payments through your bank account can prevent late fees and removes the need to remember to pay each month.

Paying online through the city website

The City of Durham's online payment system is available on the city's official website. You will need your account number, which is printed on your water bill, and a debit or credit card. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. A convenience fee applies to credit and debit card payments, though the exact amount varies depending on the card type you use.

The payment posts to your account the same day you submit it if you pay before the cutoff time. Check the city's website for the exact cutoff, as it may change seasonally. If you pay after the cutoff or on a weekend, the payment will post the next business day. You will receive a confirmation number when ready after payment, which you should save in case you need to reference the transaction later.

Paying by phone

You can pay your water bill by calling the City of Durham's billing department during business hours. Have your account number and a debit or credit card ready before you call. The phone line will ask you to enter your account number using your keypad, then connect you to a representative who will process the payment.

Phone payments also post the same day if you call before the cutoff time. The representative will give you a confirmation number when the payment is complete. If you prefer to speak with someone rather than navigate an automated system, phone payment is faster than mail and does not require you to leave your home.

Paying by mail

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to the City of Durham and include your account number on the check. Mail your payment to the address listed on your bill. The city's mailing address for water bill payments is typically shown on the back of your bill or on the city's website.

Mail payments take 5 to 7 business days to arrive and be processed. If your bill is due soon, mail is not the fastest option — paying online or by phone is safer if you are close to the due date. Always keep a copy of your check or money order number for your records, and do not send cash through the mail.

Paying in person at the Customer Service Center

The Durham Customer Service Center is located at 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701. You can walk in during business hours and pay your bill in person with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Payment is when ready, and you will receive a receipt on the spot.

In-person payment is the only method that guarantees your payment is received and recorded the same day without any processing delay. However, it requires you to travel to the center during its operating hours. Call ahead or check the city's website to confirm the center's hours before you go, as hours may vary by season or holiday.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments remove the need to remember to pay each month and help you avoid late fees. You can set up automatic payments through your bank's bill pay service or through the City of Durham's website if it offers automatic enrollment. With automatic payments, your bill is paid on a date you choose each month, usually a few days before the due date.

To set up automatic payments through your bank, log into your online banking account and add the City of Durham as a payee. Your bank will mail a check on your behalf, so allow 5 to 7 business days for the first payment to arrive. If the city offers automatic payments directly through its website, the payment will post faster — usually the same day or the next business day. You can pause or cancel automatic payments at any time if your circumstances change.

What to do if you cannot pay on time

If you cannot pay your water bill by the due date, contact the City of Durham's billing department as soon as possible. The city may offer a payment plan that lets you spread the balance over several months instead of paying it all at once. Payment plans typically require you to make regular monthly payments in addition to your current bill.

Late fees and service disconnection are possible if your account falls too far behind. The city usually sends a disconnection notice before shutting off service, giving you time to bring your account current or arrange a payment plan. Contacting the city before you miss a payment gives you more options than waiting until after the bill is overdue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my water bill online?

Yes, a convenience fee applies to credit and debit card payments made online. The fee amount depends on which card type you use. Check the city's website or call the billing department for the current fee schedule. Paying by bank account transfer or check does not include a convenience fee.

Can I pay someone else's water bill?

Yes, you can pay another person's water bill if you have their account number. You will need to provide the account number when you pay online, by phone, or by mail. The payment will be credited to that account regardless of whose name appears on the payment method you use.

What happens if I pay my bill twice by accident?

Contact the City of Durham's billing department right away. The city can issue a credit to your account or process a refund, depending on your preference. Keep your confirmation numbers from both payments so the department can locate both transactions quickly.

How do I know if my payment was received?

Online and phone payments give you a confirmation number when ready. For mail payments, check your account online after 7 to 10 business days to see if the payment has posted. You can also call the billing department to ask whether a specific payment has been received and applied to your account.

Can I change my payment due date?

Contact the City of Durham's billing department to ask about changing your due date. Some cities allow you to choose a date that works better with your pay schedule. The department can tell you whether this option is available and how to request the change.