A Comprehensive Guide to Paying Your Johnston County Utility Bill Online

Paying your water, sewer and other utility bills to Johnston County Public Utilities is easy and convenient through their online payment system This article will provide a complete walkthrough of the bill pay options, registration process, fees and more for Johnston County utility payments

Overview of Johnston County Utility Bill Payment

Johnston County Public Utilities provides water, sewer, reclaimed water and solid waste services to residents and businesses in Johnston County, North Carolina. Customers receive monthly utility bills that can be paid:

• Online – Through the Johnston County Public Utilities online payment portal

• By phone – Via automated phone payment system or by calling the utility office

• By mail – Mailing a check or money order to the utility office.

• In person – At the utility office in Smithfield, NC during business hours.

Online and phone payments allow customers to securely pay their utility bill 24/7. One-time or recurring autopay can be setup.

Below we’ll explore the online utility payment options, registration process, fees, account management and more bill pay features through Johnston County Public Utilities.

Step-by-Step Guide to Paying Your Bill Online

Paying your Johnston County utility bill through the online payment portal is simple and fast. Just follow these steps:

1. Visit the Online Payment Website

• Go to www.johnstonnc.com/ut2 in your web browser.

• Click on “Send Payment to Public Utilities (Pay Water Bill Online)” in the menu.

2. Register for an Online Account

• If paying online for the first time, click “First Time Users” under the login fields.

• Enter your utility account number, property address, name, phone and email.

• Create a username and password. Agree to the terms.

• Click “Register”. Check your email to activate your account.

3. Log Into Your Account

• Return to the payment portal homepage.

• Enter your new username and password in the fields.

• Click “Log In”.

4. Select Payment Amount

• Your utility account balance and details will display.

• Enter the payment amount you wish to pay in the field.

• Click “Add to Cart”.

5. Checkout

• Review your payment details in the cart.

• Select your payment method – credit/debit card or e-check.

• Enter your payment information and complete checkout.

Once submitted, your online payment will typically process in 1 business day. You’ll receive a confirmation email with details. Payments made by 6 PM post same day.

And that’s it! In just a few minutes you can pay your Johnston County utility bill securely online 24/7.

Managing Your Online Utility Account

Your online utility account allows you to do more than just pay your bill. You can also:

• View balance – See your current utility account balance and payment history.

• Schedule payments – Set up one-time future or recurring autopayments from your card or bank account.

• Update billing details – Change your account address, phone number or email.

• View statements – Access PDF copies of past utility bills.

• Notification settings – Opt into bill reminders, past due alerts and other notifications.

Be sure to keep your contact information, credit card details and bank account up-to-date in your online account profile to avoid any payment issues.

Payment Processing Times and Posting

Understanding Johnston County Public Utility’s payment processing timeline helps ensure your payment arrives on time each month:

• Online payments – Submitted online payments arrive in the utility system within 1 business day. Pay early to avoid late fees.

• Mailed payments – Allow 5-7 business days for mailed checks or money orders to reach the utility office and process. Mail early to be safe.

• After hours & weekends – Online/phone payments made after 6 PM, on weekends or holidays will arrive the next business day.

• Due dates – Utility bills are due on the 25th of each month. Payments received after the 25th incur late fees.

• Posting – Check your account online to see when your payment has posted, or wait for next month’s bill to confirm.

As long as you pay a few days before your bill due date, online and phone payments will arrive on time to Johnston County Utilities.

Payment Receipts and Records

Always be sure to save a receipt anytime you pay your Johnston County utility bill for your records:

• Online payments – You’ll receive an email confirmation with payment details after checkout. Save this email.

• Phone payments – Write down the confirmation number at the end of your call.

• Mailed payments – Keep copies of money orders or checks before mailing.

• In person – Get a paper receipt from the clerk when paying at the utility office.

If there are ever any payment discrepancies or issues, having a receipt helps resolve problems quickly with customer service.

Convenience Fees and Other Bill Pay Costs

Paying your Johnston County utility bill online, by phone or in person may incur additional costs:

• Online/phone payments – A $2.15 convenience fee is added per transaction up to $250. No fee for payments over $250.

• Money orders – A small money order fee applies at the post office, bank or retailer where purchased.

• Late payments – A $50 penalty is added to past due utility accounts after the 25th.

• Returned payments – A $25 fee for bounced checks or declined online payments.

To avoid fees, pay the full balance due by the 25th each month online, by phone or at the utility office. Consider autopay or paperless billing to simplify payment.

Payment Assistance Programs

For those struggling to pay their utility bill each month, Johnston County Public Utilities offers programs that can help:

• Payment arrangements – Set up an installment plan to pay your balance off over time. Call the utility office.

• LIHEAP assistance – Low Income Home Energy Assistance can help pay a portion of utility bills for those who qualify based on income.

• Nonprofit assistance – Groups like the Salvation Army or United Way may provide one-time utility bill aid for hardship cases.

• Budget billing – Pay a flat monthly amount based on your average usage to even out seasonal spikes. Enroll online.

Don’t hesitate to contact Johnston County Utilities if you are ever unable to pay your full bill by the due date. There are resources available to help avoid disconnection.

Troubleshooting Common Johnston County Utility Payment Issues

Sometimes errors occur when trying to pay your utility bill online or by phone. Here are solutions for some frequent problems:

• Lost password – Use the “Forgot password” link to reset your login credentials.

• Declined payment – Verify your card is not expired and has available funds. Or use a different payment method.

• No email confirmation – Check spam folder. If missing, call the utility as payment may not have processed.

• Processing error – Try your transaction again or contact support. Do not re-pay until certain the first attempt failed.

• Late payment – If your mailed payment is late, provide proof of timely mailing to avoid penalties.

• Incorrect amount – Only pay the exact amount owed. Overpayments must be refunded by mail as credits don’t apply online.

With so many ways to pay – online, phone, mail, in person – you can always find an option that works to deliver your utility payment on time each month.

Paying Other Johnston County Bills Online

Along with utilities, Johnston County also allows online payment for:

• Property taxes – Pay current or past due property taxes online through the tax collector site.

• Solid waste fees – Garbage collection fees on your utility bill can also be paid online.

• Permits/licenses – Building permits, pet licenses and more can be paid on the county website.

• Court fines/fees – Traffic tickets, court costs and other fines are payable online to the clerk.

• Park shelter rentals – Reserve and pay for park picnic shelters, fields and amenities online.

Check the Johnston County website for details on paying any county-related bills quickly online with credit/debit or e-check.

Key Benefits of Paying Utilities Online

Here’s an overview of the top advantages of paying your Johnston County utility bill online versus other methods:

• Convenience – Pay anytime 24/7 without traveling to the utility office.

• Speed – Online payments process immediately, avoiding mail delays.

• Security – Encrypted transactions protect your financial data.

• Accessibility – Pay on any device like mobile, tablet or computer.

• Simplicity – Make one-time or recurring payments in just