Winston-Salem Water Bill Pay: Online Login, Payment Only, CityLink 311, Payment Arrangements and Leak Help
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities customers can pay water and stormwater bills through the official Water/Stormwater Bill Payment portal. You can log in with your account number and PIN, or use the “Payment Only” option when you simply want to make a payment.
This guide explains the official payment portal, CityLink phone number, payment arrangements, start/stop service, high-bill investigation, rates, emergency routing and the difference between a bill problem and a water/sewer emergency.
Pay online
Use the official Water/Stormwater Bill Payment portal at waterbills.cityofws.org.
Login details
Enter your water bill account number and PIN, which is the last four digits of the customer number.
CityLink
Call 311 or 336-727-8000 for prompt water, wastewater or solid waste assistance.
Emergency
For water emergencies or sewer backups, call CityLink. Do not use the online 311 form for that type of emergency.
Main Official Winston-Salem Water Bill Pay Links
How to Pay Your Winston-Salem Water and Stormwater Bill Online
The fastest route is the official Water/Stormwater Bill Payment portal. The portal allows account login with your account number and PIN, and also provides a Payment Only option.
| Payment route | Official detail | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Portal login | Enter water bill account number and PIN. | Best when you want account details, payment history, usage history, account information or alerts. |
| Payment Only | Portal includes a Payment Only option. | Best when you simply need to make a payment quickly without managing the full account. |
| Phone / support help | Call CityLink 311 or 336-727-8000 for water, wastewater or solid waste assistance. | Use when payment, account access or payment-arrangement help is needed. |
| Revenue office | Start-service page refers customers to the Revenue office at 100 East First Street. | Use when instructed by the city or when in-person service is needed. |
What to Do If You Cannot Pay the Full Winston-Salem Water Bill by the Due Date
The official bill-payment page says customers unable to pay the total amount by the due date must call CityLink 311 or 336-727-8000 to make payment arrangements and avoid service issues.
Call before the due date
Do not wait until disconnection risk. Call CityLink early and ask what arrangement options are available for your account.
Prepare account details
Keep your account number, service address, bill amount, due date, amount you can pay and callback number ready.
Start New Water and Wastewater Service in Winston-Salem
The official start-service page says new service customers should call CityLink 311 or 336-727-8000, or come into the Revenue office at 100 East First Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
| Need | Official route | Prepare this |
|---|---|---|
| Start service | Call CityLink 311 / 336-727-8000 or visit Revenue office. | Service address, move-in date, customer name, contact details and identification if required. |
| Stop service | Contact CityLink for account-specific guidance. | Account number, stop date, forwarding address and final-bill information. |
| Transfer service | Contact CityLink before the move date. | Current address, new address, move date and account details. |
| Service initiation fee | Start-service page notes a $30 service initiation fee added to the first bill. | Budget for the fee on the first bill. |
Water Emergency, Sewer Backup or Main Break: Call CityLink, Do Not Use Online 311 Form
The city’s customer page says customers must call CityLink for a water emergency or sewer backup and should not submit a request using the 311 online form for this sort of emergency.
| Problem | Best route | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| Water main break in street | Call 311 or 336-727-8000. | Nearest address, cross street, water flow, traffic/safety issue and photos if available. |
| Sewer backup | Call CityLink immediately. | Address, where backup is occurring, time started and whether property is affected. |
| Private property leak | Call a plumber if the issue is on your property. | Describe fixtures, service line, meter behavior and visible damage. |
| Bill-only question | Call CityLink or use billing/payment portal. | Account number, bill date, balance and issue details. |
What to Check If Your Winston-Salem Water Bill Is Unusually High
The official high-bill page says customers who suspect a leak or unauthorized use should contact CityLink to request an investigation. It also reminds customers that they are responsible for promptly discovering and stopping the loss of water.
| High-bill clue | Possible cause | First action |
|---|---|---|
| Usage suddenly increased | Running toilet, irrigation leak, outdoor hose, private-side leak or unauthorized use. | Check fixtures, toilets, hose bibs and meter behavior; then contact CityLink if needed. |
| Toilet may be leaking | Bad flapper or fill valve can waste water silently. | Use a toilet dye test and repair quickly if color enters the bowl. |
| Usage high after outdoor watering | Irrigation, lawn watering, garden use or outdoor hose left running. | Check watering schedule, sprinkler heads and outdoor shutoff valves. |
| Payment not showing | Wrong account, portal issue, bank/card problem or posting delay. | Save payment confirmation and call CityLink with proof. |
Winston-Salem Water, Sewer, Solid Waste Rates and WaterSavvy Portal Notes
WS/FC Utilities publishes water, sewer, solid waste rates, meter costs and system development fee documents on its official Rates page. The city also describes WaterSavvy as a future online customer portal for bill management, usage tracking, leak alerts and conservation tools.
Rates page
Use the official Rates page for current water, sewer, solid waste, meter and system development fee documents.
Usage tracking
Usage history helps compare normal months to high-bill months and identify irrigation or leak spikes.
WaterSavvy
The city says WaterSavvy will help customers manage bills, track usage, set leak alerts and compare usage.
Winston-Salem Water Bill Phone Number, CityLink, Revenue Office and Utilities Address
Use CityLink for customer support, payment arrangements and emergency routing. For in-person start-service guidance, the city start-service page refers customers to the Revenue office at 100 E. First Street.
CityLink customer support
Call: 311 or 336-727-8000
Text: (855) 481-LINK (5465)
Email: citylink@cityofws.org
Use for: Water, wastewater, solid waste, payment arrangements, emergency routing and customer service.
WS/FC Utilities and Revenue office
Revenue office: 100 E. First Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Utilities address: Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, 100 E. First Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Utilities phone: 336-747-6862
City Hall: 101 North Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Map shows 100 E. First Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, used for the Revenue office and Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building reference. For fast billing support, call CityLink 311 or 336-727-8000.
Common Winston-Salem Water Bill Pay Mistakes That Cause Delays
Most delays happen when customers use unofficial payment links, wait too long to request arrangements, submit emergency issues online instead of calling, or ignore hidden leaks.
| Mistake | Why it creates trouble | Better action |
|---|---|---|
| Using unofficial bill-pay websites | Payment may be delayed, misdirected or include extra third-party fees. | Use cityofws.org or waterbills.cityofws.org only. |
| Waiting until the due date passes | Payment arrangements may need account review before service issues occur. | Call CityLink before the due date if you cannot pay in full. |
| Submitting an emergency online | Water emergencies and sewer backups need immediate phone routing. | Call CityLink for emergency water or sewer issues. |
| Ignoring a high bill | A leak can waste water every day and increase the next bill too. | Check toilets, fixtures and irrigation quickly, then contact CityLink if needed. |
| Not saving payment proof | It is harder to resolve posting problems without confirmation. | Save receipt, confirmation number, screenshot and bank/card proof. |
Winston-Salem Water Bill Pay FAQs
These answers cover common searches about Winston-Salem water bill login, payment-only option, CityLink phone number, start service, payment arrangements, high bills and emergency routing.
QHow do I pay my Winston-Salem water bill online?
Use the official Water/Stormwater Bill Payment portal at waterbills.cityofws.org. You can log in with your account number and PIN or use the Payment Only option.
QWhat is the Winston-Salem water bill phone number?
Call CityLink at 311 or 336-727-8000 for prompt assistance with water, wastewater or solid waste service.
QWhat do I need to log in to the water bill portal?
The official portal asks for your water bill account number and PIN. The PIN is the last four digits of your customer number.
QCan I make a payment without logging in?
Yes. The official portal includes a Payment Only option for customers who only need to make a payment.
QWho do I call for payment arrangements?
If you cannot pay the total amount by the due date, call CityLink 311 or 336-727-8000 to ask about payment arrangements.
QHow do I start new water service in Winston-Salem?
The official start-service page says to call CityLink 311 or 336-727-8000, or come into the Revenue office at 100 East First Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
QIs there a fee to start water service?
The official start-service page notes that a $30 service initiation fee will be added to the first bill.
QWho do I call for a water emergency or sewer backup?
Call CityLink. The city says customers must call CityLink for a water emergency or sewer backup and should not submit that type of emergency using the 311 online form.
QWhy is my Winston-Salem water bill unusually high?
Common reasons include leaks, running toilets, irrigation, outdoor water use, unauthorized use, usage changes or payment/billing issues. If you suspect a leak or unauthorized use, contact CityLink to request an investigation.
QWhere can I find Winston-Salem water and sewer rates?
Use the official Rates page from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities for water, sewer, solid waste, meter and system development fee documents.
QWhat is WaterSavvy?
The city describes WaterSavvy as a future customer portal for managing bills, tracking usage, setting leak alerts, comparing usage and receiving water-saving recommendations.
QIs Water-Department.org the official Winston-Salem website?
No. Water-Department.org is an independent guide. Official payments, payment arrangements, service changes, emergencies and account decisions must be handled through the City of Winston-Salem and WS/FC Utilities.
Official Sources for Winston-Salem Water Bill Pay Customers
Use these official resources for final confirmation before paying, calling CityLink, requesting arrangements, starting service, checking rates or reporting an emergency.
| Official source | Use it for | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Pay Water Bill | Official payment options, online payment, payment arrangements and bill-pay guidance. | Open payment options |
| Water/Stormwater Bill Portal | Portal login, payment-only option, account number and PIN access. | Open payment portal |
| CityLink / Customers | CityLink 311, 336-727-8000, email, text and emergency routing for water/sewer issues. | Open CityLink page |
| Start, Stop or Transfer Service | New water service, Revenue office, service initiation fee and service setup instructions. | Open start service |
| Unusually High Bills | High-bill investigation, suspected leaks and unauthorized-use guidance. | Open high bill help |
| WS/FC Utilities | Utilities department overview, customer service, billing and utilities resources. | Open utilities page |
| Rates | Water, sewer, solid waste rates, meter costs and system development fee documents. | Open rates |
| Residential Utilities Help | Residential guidance, main breaks, private-property plumbing responsibility and utility service information. | Open residential page |
| Pay City Services | City payment menu linking water/stormwater and other city payment categories. | Open city pay page |
Pay Smarter, Check High Bills, Start Service, Avoid Shutoff and Find Official Water Department Links
Use this free tool before paying a water bill, setting up autopay, starting or stopping service, checking a high bill, requesting leak help, or looking for the official water department portal. It gives practical next steps without collecting your account number or personal details.
What water bill or service problem do you need to solve?
Choose your situation. The tool will suggest the safest next step, what to prepare, and which official page to check first.
Start from the official water department, city, county or utility website before entering account details. Avoid random payment ads and look-alike bill pay sites.
Before paying a very unusual bill, check meter reads, toilet leaks, irrigation use, estimated bills, late fees, and whether your utility offers a leak adjustment.
Water Bill Payment Route Helper
Choose how you want to pay. The tool will tell you what to prepare and the safest payment path.
High Water Bill Checker
Compare your normal bill with the new bill and get a practical investigation path before calling customer service.
Leak Check and Adjustment Checklist
Use this before requesting a leak adjustment, disputing a bill, or calling the water department about high usage.
Start, Stop or Transfer Water Service Helper
Use this before moving, opening a new account, closing an old account, or transferring service to another address.
Past Due, Shutoff and Reconnection Helper
Use this if your account is late, disconnected, at risk of shutoff, or you need a payment plan or assistance program.
Simple Water Usage Cost Estimator
Estimate a rough bill from base charge, usage units, rate per unit, sewer charge, stormwater fee and service fees. Official tiered rates may be different.
Official Water Department Resource Finder
Enter city/utility and state to create safe searches for the official water bill portal, phone number, outage page, assistance, start service, leak adjustment, and Water-Department.org guide.
Water Department vs Payment Processor
- Water department: account help, service start/stop, leaks, repairs, shutoff, assistance.
- Payment processor: card/eCheck payment screen, payment fee, confirmation number, posting time.
Best sitewide placement
Add this tool after the main payment section or before FAQs. It helps users solve the next problem after reading the article.
Important safety note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Always confirm payment portals, phone numbers, account balance, assistance rules and reconnection steps with the official water department or utility.