Water and Sewer Billing and Collections

Report water line breaks, frozen meters and other water-related emergencies immediately by calling 919-732-3621.

The town has resumed in-house billing and collections. For updated information on the billing transition, see the FAQ: Utility Billing and Payments Platform page on this website. Water and sewer usage are billed monthly. Balances can be paid several ways:

• Online — bills can be paid by credit or debit card through the online customer portal.
• Bank draft — customers can sign up for drafts by filling out the form at the bottom of this webpage section and submitting it by mail, in person or by deposit box.
• Mail — payments can be sent to Town of Hillsborough, PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278.
• Telephone — bills can be paid by credit or debit card by calling 833-262-5902 toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• In person — cash payments can be made at the Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St. between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Staff are available to assist with credit or debit card payments.
• Deposit box — payments can be made through the deposit box at the Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St. Cash should not be placed in the deposit box.

Current charges are due by the 25th day of the month. If the 25th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the bill is due on the next business day. Payments received after 5 p.m. on the due date are considered late. An additional $40 delinquency fee will be assessed and service will be disconnected if the previous month’s bill is not paid by the current month’s due date. To be reconnected, the past due bill, all penalties, fees and the current bill must be paid in full.

The Town of Hillsborough participates in the North Carolina Local Government Debt Setoff Clearinghouse. This program secures payment of delinquent water and sewer bills by filing a claim with the state to intercept income tax refunds or North Carolina education lottery winnings of those who owe payment to the town of $50 or greater, according to North Carolina General Statute 105A: Setoff Debt Collection Act.

Automated Debit Service Enrollment Form

Hillsborough charges for a minimum usage of 2,500 gallons each billing cycle. Additional use is billed per 1,000 gallons. For in-town and out-of-town rates, see the Utility Fee Calculations document below. For more information, see the water and sewer rates FAQ.

For information on 2018 rate increases, see the FAQ and the Fact Sheet: Water and Sewer Rate Increases document below.

Fact Sheet: Water and Sewer Rate Increases

Utility Fee Calculations

To establish new service, please visit the Billing and Collections Division in the Town Hall Annex at 105 E. Corbin St.

The town requires all of the following to start a new service account:

• Valid driver's license, government ID or passport
• Copy of a lease agreement if renting
• $20 nonrefundable connection fee
• Deposit:
  • $75 in town
  • $150 out of town

New customers are also asked to provide a Social Security number. A higher deposit can be paid in lieu of providing the number.

Service is generally available within 24 business hours of the deposit being paid.

Accounts can be transferred between addresses for a $20 fee.

Water service is subject to disconnection for nonpayment. Reconnection is made only upon payment of the full amount due, including late penalties.

Other disconnections and reconnections can be arranged by calling 919-296-9450.

Customers may request adjustments to bills if they show that a break in a water line has resulted in extraordinary charges for a given billing period. In such cases, the customer will be charged an amount based on an average of the previous six months.

Customers are allowed one leak adjustment per 12-month period. Sufficient documentation of a leak must be provided by a plumber or maintenance person, or customers must provide receipts for items purchased for repairs.

Leak adjustments must be requested no later than three months after the billing date.

Call 919-296-9450 for assistance.

The standard for meter accuracy is plus or minus 10 percent. A meter flow test can be requested, with a fee being charged if the meter passes.

If a meter fails to register water use, the customer will be charged an amount based on an average of the previous six months.

Call 919-296-9450 for assistance.

Certain customers may be eligible for help paying bills through the Water Assistance Program, a program funded through donations from other utility customers.

For additional information, see news releases and documents related to the billing transition:

In-house Billing Has Resumed for Water and Sewer Customers

All March Bills Must Be Paid by a Method Other Than Bank Draft

April bill insert

Automated Debit Service Enrollment Form

Information regarding postcard

Utility billing transition advertisement

Utility billing transition postcard

Automated Debit Service Enrollment Form

Información en factura de abril

Información sobre la tarjeta postal

Tarjeta postal