A Complete Guide to Paying Your Johnston County Water Bill

Living in Johnston County, North Carolina? Here’s everything you need to know about paying your local water/sewer bill conveniently and on time

Paying your water bill is a necessary evil, but it doesn’t have to be painful. Johnston County Public Utilities offers several quick and easy ways to pay each month.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the available payment options, programs to assist with bills, how to avoid late fees, and tips for being a savvy customer.

Read on to become a pro at paying your Johnston County water bill!

Online Payment

The fastest and most convenient way to pay is online through the Johnston County Public Utilities website.

To pay online, first make sure you have an online account registered with your utility account number. This links your profile to your water service address.

Once registered, simply log in at any time and click “Pay Water Bills Online.” Choose whether to pay by credit/debit card or electronic check.

Pros

• Pay 24/7 in your pajamas!
• Fast and easy payments with card on file
• Payments post quickly, often within 1-2 business days

Cons

• $2.15 service fee per transaction up to $250
• Can’t pay by cash

I love the convenience of paying online. Set a recurring calendar reminder to avoid late fees.

Pay By Phone

Prefer to talk to a real human? No worries! You can pay your Johnston County water bill easily over the phone.

Call the payment number at (844) 845-2151 to speak with a representative. They can take a payment by credit/debit card.

Pros:

• Live support for payment questions
• Takes 5+ payment types including card and e-check

Cons:

• Only available during business hours
• Possible wait times during peak call volume

I like paying by phone when I have bill questions or want to make sure payment goes through instantly.

Pay by Mail

Snail mail may be old school, but it’s still an option if you prefer paying bills the classic way.

Simply mail a check or money order made out to “Johnston County Public Utilities” to:

Johnston County Public Utilities
P.O. Box 2263
Smithfield, NC 27577

Be sure to include your account number on the payment to apply it properly. Allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to post.

Pros:

• No extra fees
• Paper trail and physical payment proof

Cons:

• Delayed processing time
• Risk of lost/delayed mail

Paying by mail works if you like paper statements and don’t mind waiting. Just don’t procrastinate – mail early to avoid late fees!

Pay In Person

For walk-in bill payment, visit the Johnston County Public Utilities office at:

309 E Market St
Smithfield, NC 27577

The office is open 8am-5pm Monday through Friday for both walk-ins and scheduled appointments.

You can pay by cash, check, or credit/debit card on site. Payment posts instantly.

Pros

• Pay with cash
• Get printed receipt immediately
• In-person support

Cons:

• Only available during business hours
• Must visit office location

Paying in person is great if you prefer cash or need same-day payment processing. Just be prepared to head downtown during work hours.

Which Payment Method is Best?

With so many options, how do you decide the best way to pay your Johnston County water bill?

Here are a few key considerations:

• Speed – Online and phone payments post fastest. Mail and office visits take longer.

• Convenience – Online payments can be made anytime from anywhere. The office requires a trip downtown.

• Support – Phone and in-person allow you to ask questions and get personalized help.

• Cost – Online and phone payments incur service fees. Mail and office visits are fee-free.

• Payment Type – Mail and office visits allow cash payments. Online and phone take electronic payments.

Think about which features matter most to you. Then choose the payment method that best fits your needs and preferences each month.

Payment Arrangements and Assistance

If you’re struggling to pay your water bill on time, don’t panic. Johnston County offers programs to help.

You may qualify for a payment plan to spread balances over several months. Discounts are also available for seniors, disabled, veterans, and low-income households.

In a financial emergency, the Salvation Army and other agencies may provide one-time aid for bills. Johnston County Social Services has resources for utility and rental assistance.

For payment help, call the billing office at (919) 989-5075. Learn more about assistance programs at https://www.johnstonnc.com/pview.aspx?id=20197&catID=636.

Avoid Late Fees

Here are some tips to avoid late fees on your Johnston County water bill:

• Pay by the due date – Bills are due 21 days after mailing. Mark your calendar and pay early each month.

• Go paperless – Sign up for e-bills to get reminders and avoid mail delays.

• Enroll in AutoPay – Set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account or credit card.

• Ask for help – If you’ll be late, request a payment extension before the due date.

• Pay old balances first – If paying online, pay oldest bills first to avoidpenalty.

Setting payment reminders and paying on time every month is key to avoiding penalties. But if you do get hit with a late fee, learn from it and adjust your process going forward. AutoPay can help take the guesswork out of when bills are due.

Avoid Water Shutoff

If your Johnston County water bill remains unpaid for multiple billing cycles, your service could eventually be disconnected. Here’s what you can expect:

• Day 1: Bill is mailed and payment is due within 21 days.

• Day 22: Bill becomes past due if unpaid, incurring 10% late penalty.

• Day 36: Final shutoff notice mailed if still unpaid.

• Day 46: Disconnection possible if account remains delinquent.

• Day 51: Service shutoff and $50 fee to restore service once balance is paid.

Obviously, you want to avoid shutoffs and fees. But if you do get a disconnection notice, act quickly to make payment arrangements. Partial payments may delay shutoff, but full past due balance must be paid to stop disconnection once scheduled.

Don’t let small billing issues spiral into a utility crisis. Stay vigilant about paying on time and reach out early if you ever need assistance or flexibility. Your water service is too vital to risk losing over temporary financial struggles.

Be a Savvy Customer

Hopefully this guide provides everything you need to pay your Johnston County water/sewer bill promptly and stress-free.

A few final tips for being a wise customer:

• Monitor your usage and address leaks early to control costs
• Comparison shop plans if your usage changes to find savings
• Use bill pay features like budget billing to spread costs evenly
• Sign up for usage alerts to prevent spikes and monitor leaks
• Read newsletters and updates for current utility info and programs

Paying your bill is just one piece of the puzzle. Managing consumption, finding savings, and utilizing customer service resources will make you a savvy utility customer.

Visit https://www.johnstonnc.com/ut2/content.cfm?page_desc=waterandsewer or call (919) 989-5075 anytime you need Johnston County water/sewer service support. We’re here to help!