Are you tired of the monthly hassle of paying your Asheville water bill? I’ve been there too! After moving to Asheville last year, figuring out the water payment system was one of those small but necessary tasks that took more time than it should have To save you from the same headache, I’ve put together this complete guide to Asheville City water online bill pay options
The Many Ways to Pay Your Asheville Water Bill
The City of Asheville offers several convenient methods to pay your water bill Whether you’re tech-savvy or prefer traditional payment methods, there’s an option that will work for your lifestyle
Online Payment Portal – The Most Convenient Option
The easiest way to pay your Asheville water bill is through their Customer Portal This online system allows you to
- Make one-time payments quickly
- Set up automatic payments
- View your billing history
- Enroll in e-billing to reduce paper waste
To access the portal, simply visit the City of Asheville’s Customer Portal through their official website. If you’re new to the system, you’ll need to create an account first.
The Customer Portal accepts various payment methods:
- Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
- Debit cards
- E-checks from checking or savings accounts
The city has also created helpful video tutorials to guide you through the registration process for Utility Express Pay.
Pay by Phone – Perfect for On-the-Go Payments
If you prefer to pay by phone, Asheville makes this easy too. Here’s what you need to do:
- Have your Combined Utility Statement ready (you’ll need account and customer numbers)
- Dial 828-251-1122
- Press option 1
- Follow the automated voice prompts
The phone system accepts payments from:
- Checking accounts
- Savings accounts
- Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
- E-checks
One of the best parts about paying by phone? There’s no convenience fee! This makes it a great alternative if you’re not comfortable with online payments.
In-Person Payment Options
Some people just prefer the face-to-face approach, and Asheville offers several options:
City Hall
You can pay in person at Asheville City Hall located at 70 Court Plaza. Bring your payment to the Customer Services Division on the first floor.
Convenient Drop Boxes
Two drop box locations are available:
-
Public Works Building
161 South Charlotte Street
(Note: payments are processed next business day) -
City-County Plaza
Located at the first roundabout when entering the plaza
(Note: payments after 4:30 p.m. processed next business day)
Mail-In Payments
If you’re old school, mailing your payment is still a perfectly valid option:
- Water bills come in convertible envelopes that fold into return mailers
- Include payment stub with your check or money order
- If you lose the return envelope, mail to:
City of Asheville
Customer Services Division
P.O. Box 733
Asheville, NC 28802
Setting Up and Managing Your Water Service
Starting Water Service in Asheville
When you move to Asheville, you’ll likely already have running water, but you’ll need to set up service with the City of Asheville Water Department. The process is straightforward:
- Fill out the Start Service Form online
- Service typically begins within two business days
- Be prepared to provide identification and property information
Stopping Your Water Service
Moving out? Don’t forget to stop your service to avoid continuing charges:
- Complete the Stop Service Form online
- Allow two business days for processing
- Provide a forwarding address for your final bill
Customer Service and Support
The City of Asheville’s water department is committed to helping residents with any questions or concerns. If you need assistance:
- Call customer service: 828-251-1122 (press option 2 to reach a representative)
- Email: [email protected]
- Emergency services available 24/7 at the same number for issues like broken water mains
Payment Assistance Options
If you’re struggling to pay your water bill, help is available. NC211.org, provided by United Way of North Carolina, offers information and referrals for utility bill assistance programs. This service is free and confidential, connecting residents with community resources.
Holiday Closings in 2025
It’s important to plan ahead for bill payments around holidays when city offices are closed. The City of Asheville will be closed on:
- January 1 (New Year)
- January 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
- April 18 (Good Friday)
- May 26 (Memorial Day)
- June 19 (Juneteenth)
- July 4 (Independence Day)
- September 1 (Labor Day)
- November 11 (Veteran’s Day)
- November 27-28 (Thanksgiving)
- December 24-26 (Christmas)
- January 1, 2026 (New Year)
When holidays approach, I always try to pay my bill a few days early to avoid any late fees!
About Asheville’s Water System
The City of Asheville Water Department serves approximately 124,300 residents in the Asheville area. Established in 1792, they collect water from:
- City-owned surface water sources
- North Fork and Bee Tree Reservoirs
- Mills River
Water Quality Information
If you’re concerned about water quality (as many of us are!), you’ll be pleased to know that Asheville’s water quality is excellent. The water department provides annual Consumer Confidence Water Quality Reports as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
According to WaterZen’s analysis, the City of Asheville Water received the best possible grade for water quality, particularly regarding lead levels. The amounts of contaminants found in the water supply were better than the Public Health Goal and superior to most other water providers analyzed.
Recent Updates and News
The city recently announced “New Meter Installation Delays Water Bills.” If you’re experiencing unusual delays in receiving your bill, this might explain why. The city recommends checking their website for more information on this issue.
Tips for Managing Your Asheville Water Account
After living here for a year, I’ve discovered some helpful tricks for managing water payments more efficiently:
- Sign up for e-billing – Get your bills faster and reduce paper waste
- Set calendar reminders – Avoid late fees by setting reminders a few days before due dates
- Check for leaks – Unexpectedly high bills could indicate a leak somewhere in your system
- Consider automatic payments – Never miss a payment by setting up autopay through the customer portal
- Keep your account number handy – Store it in your phone for quick access when making payments
My Personal Experience with Asheville Water Billing
When I first moved to Asheville, I was a bit confused about the water billing system. The first month, I waited for a paper bill that arrived later than expected, causing me to make a rushed payment. After that experience, I immediately signed up for the online customer portal and e-billing.
Setting up an account was surprisingly easy – it took less than 5 minutes! Now I receive email notifications when my bill is ready, and I can pay right from my phone or computer. No more rushing to City Hall or trying to remember where I put that return envelope!
FAQs About Asheville City Water Online Bill Pay
Q: Is there a fee for paying my water bill online?
A: No, the City of Asheville doesn’t charge convenience fees for online payments.
Q: How long does it take for my online payment to be processed?
A: Online payments are typically processed within 1-2 business days.
Q: Can I set up automatic payments?
A: Yes! You can enroll in automatic payments through the Customer Portal.
Q: What should I do if I forget my online account password?
A: The Customer Portal has a “Forgot Password” option that will help you reset your credentials.
Q: Who do I contact if I have questions about my bill?
A: Call 828-251-1122 and press option 2 to speak with a customer service representative.
Conclusion
Paying your Asheville city water bill doesn’t have to be complicated. With multiple convenient payment options, including the user-friendly online portal, phone payments, drop boxes, and mail-in options, you can choose the method that works best for your lifestyle.
I recommend trying the online Customer Portal for the most convenient experience – it’s saved me tons of time and I never worry about missing a payment anymore. If you prefer other methods, that’s totally fine too! The city has done a good job of maintaining various payment options to serve all residents.
Remember that customer service is always available at 828-251-1122 if you need assistance. And don’t forget to plan ahead for those holiday closures!
Have you tried any of these payment methods? Which one works best for you? I’d love to hear about your experiences with Asheville’s water billing system!
Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes
To receive emergency texts directly from Buncombe County for breaking health and safety news text BCALERT on your smartphone to 99411.
Sign up for AVL Alerts online for information from the City of Asheville.
The Water Resources Department’s vision is to be an innovative leader in the water utility industry. Using the concept of continuous improvement, the department accepts the challenges of providing regional customers with water to enhance their quality of life, serving as stewards over the most vital of all natural resources, and empowering department employees to meet customer needs by providing the finest drinking water in the United States at competitive prices.
It is the mission of the Water Resources Department to manage and protect community resources and to provide the highest quality of water service to customers. The department will do this in the following ways:
- Continuous improvement in products, systems and processes to maximize customer satisfaction;
- Continuous communication among and between staff, customers and governing board;
- Continuous involvement with the community and region;
- Valuing honesty, hard work, creativity, faith in each other, perseverance, and respect for diversity.
The City of Asheville owns 22,000 acres of forested mountains surrounding our primary watershed, which makes it one of the largest municipally owned watersheds in the United States. The water department takes the responsibility of protecting the watersheds seriously, which is why most of the land is preserved in conservation easements, protected from development and pollution. The Water Resources Department owns and operates three water treatment plants: North Fork (located in Black Mountain), William DeBruhl (located in Swannanoa), and Mills River (located near the Asheville Regional airport). The North Fork and DeBruhl watersheds are pristine. The reservoirs are fed by pure mountain streams, which are protected from industrial and agricultural contaminants. The Mills River watershed is less pristine, but also provides a valuable source, especially as population grows. The Mills River facility was built with the intent to expand with growing demand. The Mills River watershed covers 47,440 acres, 75% of which lies in the Pisgah National Forest. It includes a trout fishery, fish and wildlife habitat, and a recreational resource. The Mills River plant uses ozone in addition to chlorine for disinfection.
For more information about our treatment, distribution, and quality control, read our annual water quality report.
ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
In 2004, the City of Asheville Water Resources Department became the first ISO 14001 certified water utility in North Carolina, proving that practices and procedures were implemented to protect the environment. The water department has maintained certification for twenty years, showing that a commitment to protect the environment continues to be a priority for the department.
The Water Resources Department is committed to managing and protecting the community’s resources and to providing the highest quality of water service to customers through:
- Continuous Improvement in the product, systems, and processes to maximize customer satisfaction;
- Communication among and between staff, customers, vendors, contractors, and governing board;
- Compliance with relevant federal, state, and local environmental regulations;
- Commitment to a clean, healthy environment through prevention of pollution.
