Along just about everything else, the cost of water has risen. In the December billing statement, the Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department announced slight increases in base and usage rates for water and sewer services. The 2023 rate increase is part of a multi-year plan to ensure the department maintains cost recovery and sufficient operating revenue while keeping up with increased demand for water and sewer services. Through the planned process, water rates will increase by 3.5 percent each year through 2027.
More concerning than the cost of water is its scarcity. Georgia’s annually increasing population also increases the demand for water, a limited natural resource. Forsyth County employs a tier pricing structure to encourage water conservation and efficiency. At Tier 1 consumption of up to 6,000 gallons of water per month, residential customers pay $4.02 per 1,000-gallon unit. When water consumption rises to Tier 2 (6,000-12,000 gallons per month), the cost per unit for the additional amount increases to $5.43.
“As costs get higher,” Forsyth County Water Resources Manager Steve Dorsch said, “the idea is that [customers] will use less water.”
According to the 2018 Forsyth County Water and Wastewater Rate Study, approximately 80 percent of residential customers consume water at the Tier 1 level, with a typical monthly water bill that’s less than $30. When we look at our actual water bills, however, we find seasonal cycles. Outdoor irrigation during the summer months can account for 30-60 percent of annual household water consumption.
We have many opportunities to reduce household and landscape water usage. Small changes, like turning off the water while brushing your teeth, saves eight gallons of water per day. Turning it off while shaving or hand-washing dishes saves 10 gallons per day. Fixing a dripping or leaky faucet can save 3,000 gallons of water per year. And waiting to run the dishwasher until it’s full can reduce your usage by one load of dishes each week and around 320 gallons of water annually.
As much as half of the water we use for landscape irrigation is wasted due to inefficient application practices. Fortunately, again, we can take numerous small actions – and a few moderate ones – to reduce outdoor water usage and still have healthy, attractive landscape plants. Using a rain gauge to measure rainfall and a timer for irrigation systems reduces water waste from overwatering. Installing a rain barrel to collect and store rainfall for later use saves money, helps alleviate water supply strain during dry spells, and reduces stormwater runoff.
To help encourage efficient water usage and conservation, Forsyth County Extension and the Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department are partnering to offer classes in February and March covering water conservation in the landscape, water harvesting, and rain barrel installation and use. County residents who participate in a class will receive a high-quality, ready-to-install rain barrel, courtesy of the Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department.
The Water Smart Landscapes, Rain Harvesting and Rain Barrel classes will be offered at the Forsyth County Extension Office on Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. to noon; and on Thursday, March 16, 2023, from 2-4 p.m. There is a $25 registration fee, and each class is limited to 15 paid participants. There is also a limit of one rain barrel per household. For registration information, please visit the UGA Extension Forsyth County website at https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices/forsyth.html and click on the “Now Registering” tile. Please check out our Food Gardening Large and Small classes, too.
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
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Use the return payment envelope provided with your bill
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Write your check or money order payable to the City of Winston-Salem
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Include your payment stub from the bill in the envelope
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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:
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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
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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!
On the Move | How New Water Meters and Online Portal Can Save Residents Money
How do I pay my Forsyth County water bill online?
The feature is accessible via the county Web site, www. forsythco. com. From the Quick Links drop-down menu on the home page, select ‘Pay Water Bill Online. Customers who pay their water and sewer bills online should have their most recent bill handy because they will need to enter information from it, like their account number and service address number.
Does Forsyth County offer online bill paying?
FORSYTH COUNTY: To make things easier for customers, the Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department now lets them pay their bills online. Direct of Commercial Services Jamie Payne said, “We are thrilled to be able to offer this service to our clients.”
How do I access my Forsyth County water & sewer account?
The Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer is happy to let you know that you can now access your account online. Here customers can sign up for web access to their water and sewer account. Click on the “View or Pay Your Bill Online” link below to access your account. E-Billing option is available!.
Does Forsyth County have a water rate structure?
In order to encourage people to use less water, the Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer has set up the 5 tiered rate structure shown below for residential meters. Residential water consumption monthly rate schedule (per 1,000 gallons) effective January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. Paying water bills information.
What is Forsyth County water?
This page provides information about Forsyth County Water. The Department of Water runs the Forsyth County Water. Forsyth County was founded in 1831, and most of its water comes from Lake Lanier. Either Forsyth County or the City of Cumming treats the water.
Does Forsyth County water & sewer have a water quality report?
The Safe Drinking Water Act gives the EPA the power to tell Forsyth County Water At WaterZen, we review these reports and make the information available, in a concise, straightforward, and easy-to-understand way.
