Dare County Water Bill & Service Help
Need to pay a Dare County water bill, use the correct new utility portal, find your account and customer numbers, mail a second-notice payment, request a leak adjustment, track usage, or report a water issue after hours? Start with the task cards below.
Fast Answer: Pick the Right Dare County Water Task
Use the Dare County Municipal Online Payments utility portal for guest pay or registered account access.
Pay onlineCall 1-888-693-5395. Have both Account Number and Customer Number ready.
Call phone payDo not mail to the Atlanta lockbox. Use 600 Mustian Street or call the Water Department.
Second notice rulesRepair the leak first, keep proof, then use the official leak adjustment request route.
Leak helpFirst, Confirm Dare County Is Your Water Provider
Dare County Water does not serve every address in the county. Verify provider before paying if the property is in a town or recently changed ownership.
Dare County Water serves
- Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras, Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo.
- Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk and Colington.
- Roanoke Island areas outside Manteo, Wanchese and Skyco.
- Stumpy Point and Martin’s Point.
- Kill Devil Hills west of Bermuda Bay off Colington Road.
Town water instead
- Kill Devil Hills except Colington: call 252-480-4080.
- Nags Head: call 252-449-2004.
- Manteo: call 252-473-4106.
- If uncertain, call Dare County Water at 252-475-5990.
- Do not pay until provider name and account match your bill.
Dare County Water Bill Payment Options
| Payment method | Official detail | Best for | Do not miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online portal | Pay by credit card, debit card or e-check through the Dare County Municipal Online Payments utility portal. | Fast normal payments, guest pay, registered account access and future payments. | Card/debit and e-check fees apply. Receipt email may come from noreply@tylerportico.com. |
| Pay by phone | Call toll-free 1-888-693-5395. | Customers who want payment without logging into the portal. | You need both Account Number and Customer Number. |
| Regular mail | Make checks payable to Dare County Water Department and mail to P.O. Box 538321, Atlanta, GA 30353-8321. | Non-urgent regular mailed payments. | Do not use this for second notices or bank bill pay checks. |
| Online bank bill pay | Bank bill pay checks should be sent to 600 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. | Customers paying through their bank’s bill-pay service. | Allow at least 12 business days because the bank may mail a physical check. |
| Second notice payment | Second notice checks should go to 600 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948-9998. | Customers who received a second notice. | Call if deadline, penalty or lock date is close. |
| Drive-through / deposit box | Kill Devil Hills and Frisco billing offices have drive-through/payment box options. | In-person or after-hours non-urgent drop-off. | Drive-through card payments accept chip cards only. |
Account Number and Customer Number Requirement
Account Number
Printed on the water bill and required for portal lookup. Use it exactly as shown.
Customer Number
Also printed on the bill and required for phone payment and account lookup.
New owner or tenant?
Contact Dare County Water before paying if the bill is not in your name or the property recently changed ownership.
Fees, Posting Timing and Returned Payments
Credit / debit
2.95% nonrefundable service fee with a $2.50 minimum.
E-check
$1.25 flat fee for e-check / electronic withdrawal.
Late payment
Dare County water fees list a 10% late payment fee.
Returned payment
Return payment recovery fee is listed at $35.
Mail, Bank Bill Pay, Second Notice and Deposit Box Rules
| Situation | Correct official address / rule | Practical warning |
|---|---|---|
| Regular mailed check | Dare County Water Department, P.O. Box 538321, Atlanta, GA 30353-8321. | Use only when timing is not urgent. |
| Online bank bill pay | Dare County Water Department, 600 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. | Allow at least 12 business days because many banks mail a check. |
| Second notice | Dare County Water Department, 600 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948-9998. | Do not send second-notice payments to the Atlanta lockbox. |
| Kill Devil Hills drop box | Payment drop box in front of the Billing Office Building or attached to the front door. | Use for non-urgent drop-off only. |
| Frisco drop box | Payment box at the entrance to the Frisco Billing Office and the front door. | Weather and road conditions can affect access on Hatteras Island. |
Automatic Deposits / Bank Draft Setup
Automatic bank payment
Dare County links an automatic deposit authorization form for water payments drafted from checking or savings.
Keep paying first
The form says to make payments directly until the second billing cycle following the application.
Cancel in writing
Authorization remains in effect until written termination notice is received in time to act.
Apply, Cancel or Change Dare County Water Service
Official service rule: Dare County says new accounts are set up by property owners only — no third parties. Paper forms are no longer valid for most requests; use the online forms unless the county specifically says otherwise.
| Task | Official route | User tip |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for water service | Use the Apply for Water Service page. You need your Dare County parcel number. | Parcel number can be found on plat or parcel data sheet. |
| New account / service request | Use Online Forms – Water. | Property owner should submit; no third-party setup. |
| Cancel water service | Use the official cancel water service form. | Do not use cancel form for sold property; use ownership-change route. |
| Change ownership | Use buyer, seller, foreclosure, inherited/gift ownership-change form. | Best after sale/closing or inherited property transfer. |
| Meter action | Use meter turn on/off or lock/unlock request forms. | Turn on/off fee may apply. |
| Billing help | Email water@darenc.gov or call 252-475-5990. | Call if deadline, leak, service status or lock date matters. |
Dare County Water Billing Cycles by Community
| Cycle | Water account locations | Months bills are mailed | Customer tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle One | Avon, Frisco, Kitty Hawk and Roanoke Island. | March, June, September and December. | Expect quarterly bills, not monthly bills. |
| Cycle Two | Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Stumpy Point, Southern Shores, Martins Point and Hatteras. | January, April, July and October. | Watch Hatteras Island weather and road access before office visits. |
| Cycle Three | Buxton, Colington and Duck. | February, May, August and November. | Compare high bills against the same cycle and season. |
Current Billing Rates and Water Fees Customers Ask About
Dare County’s quarterly base charge includes the first 3,000 gallons. Usage over 3,000 gallons is billed based on the rate for the cycle billing period.
| Item | Official listed amount / rule | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| ¾-inch meter base charge | $47.66 quarterly, includes first 3,000 gallons. | Common residential-size meter; base amount applies even with low use. |
| 1-inch meter base charge | $52.98 quarterly. | Larger meters have higher base charges. |
| 1½-inch meter base charge | $68.86 quarterly. | Relevant for larger residential/commercial services. |
| 2-inch meter base charge | $91.36 quarterly. | Meter size changes fixed charge. |
| Additional usage | $10.28 or $7.91 per 1,000 gallons depending on cycle billing period. | Seasonal usage and cycle period affect cost above 3,000 gallons. |
| Stumpy Point sewer | $135 per quarter for first 30,000 gallons; $1 per 1,000 gallons over 30,000. | Stumpy Point sewer customers have separate sewer billing logic. |
| Non-payment fee | $50. | Resolve second notices early. |
| Turn on/off fee | $50 each on/off. | Applies to meter/service actions. |
| Meter tampering fee | $150. | Do not operate or tamper with the water meter. |
| Meter testing fee | $100. | Ask billing before requesting testing. |
High Water Bill and Leak Adjustment Help
Repair first
Leak adjustment cannot be requested until the leak is repaired and documentation is available.
Proof required
Keep plumber invoice, paid receipt, parts receipt, repair photos and exact repair dates.
Limit
Customers may apply for up to two leak adjustments within a 12-calendar-month period.
| High-bill cause | Check this first | Best next action |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet leak | Running toilet, bad flapper, fill valve or silent leak. | Use toilet troubleshooting, repair, then keep proof. |
| Irrigation / outdoor use | Sprinklers, pool fill, hose bibs, outdoor showers and rental turnover. | Use Dropcountr to see usage and irrigation flags. |
| Continuous flow | Water use every hour over several days. | Set Dropcountr leak alerts and inspect private-side plumbing. |
| Billing-cycle confusion | Different communities are billed in different months. | Compare to your same cycle and prior seasons. |
| Meter data question | Usage detail or meter report may help explain the bill. | Ask Dare County Water about meter data before disputing. |
Dropcountr App: Usage Tracking, Leak Alerts and Outage Notices
Free usage portal
Dropcountr is available to Dare County water customers through mobile apps or web portal.
Leak alerts
Leak alerts are sent if three or more gallons of water are used per hour for 72 consecutive hours.
Outage alerts
Dare County uses Dropcountr for targeted maintenance and repair alerts, so keep email and phone current.
| Dropcountr setup item | What you need | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Email address, account number, account name, address and ZIP code from your bill. | Connects your property to usage monitoring. |
| Alerts | Verified email and best contact phone number. | Enables app, text and email alerts. |
| Usage thresholds | Set usage and cost threshold alerts. | Helps avoid unexpected high bills. |
| Support | support@dropcountr.com for setup; water@darenc.gov for account-specific questions. | Gets you to the correct help source. |
Water Quality, Facilities and Source Water
Five facilities
Dare County Water operates five water treatment facilities serving public water supplies from Sanderling to Hatteras Village, Roanoke Island and Stumpy Point.
Treatment types
Four plants use reverse osmosis treatment, and the Roanoke Island plant uses anion exchange and nanofiltration.
Water testing
Dare County says its facilities have staffed labs and can sample/test customer water if a customer is concerned.
| Facility / resource | Official detail | Use when… |
|---|---|---|
| North Reverse Osmosis Plant | 600 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills; designed to produce 5 million gallons per day. | You need the main office / North RO Plant address. |
| Cape Hatteras / Frisco area | Frisco Billing Office is at 50225 Water Association Road, Frisco, NC 27936. | You are on Hatteras Island and need billing/payment access. |
| CCR reports | Consumer Confidence Reports summarize water source, quality and compliance information. | You want annual water quality documentation. |
| Professor Faucet help | Dare County provides water-use, heater, conservation and household water guidance. | You are troubleshooting taste, odor, discoloration, hot-water issues or common usage questions. |
After-Hours Water Help, Storms and Lock-Date Situations
Business hours
Call 252-475-5990 or email water@darenc.gov for account, service, leak and billing questions.
After-hours line
Dare County lists 252-475-5812 for after-hours Water Department help when applicable.
Storm readiness
During storms, use phone routes for service-loss, exposed lines, major leaks or post-storm water concerns.
Dare County Water Department Map and Visit Planning
Use this map for the main Kill Devil Hills Water Department / North Reverse Osmosis Plant office. Call before visiting for urgent payment, service, leak, second-notice or weather-sensitive issues.
Kill Devil Hills office
600 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. Main phone: 252-475-5990.
Frisco office
50225 Water Association Road, Frisco, NC 27936. Verify access before visiting, especially during weather events.
Normal support
Use 252-475-5990 for business-hours service and 252-475-5812 for after-hours water help when applicable.
Local Dare County Tips That Actually Help
Use current payment links
Replace old bookmarks with the current Dare County Municipal Online Payments utility portal.
Bank bill pay can look paid too early
Your bank may deduct money immediately but mail Dare County a check. The county says to allow at least 12 business days.
Second notice uses local address
Regular payments go to the Atlanta lockbox, but second notices and bank bill pay checks should go to 600 Mustian Street.
Quarterly base charge includes 3,000 gallons
All metered accounts pay the base charge regardless of usage, and extra use above 3,000 gallons is billed at the applicable rate.
Official Dare County Water Links
Dare County Water Department FAQs
Where do I pay my Dare County water bill online?
Use the official Dare County Municipal Online Payments utility portal at darecountync.municipalonlinepayments.com/darecountync/utilities.
What is the Dare County Water Department phone number?
Call 252-475-5990 for account, billing, service, leak and water customer-service questions.
What is the Dare County water bill phone payment number?
The toll-free phone payment number is 1-888-693-5395. You need both your Account Number and Customer Number.
What payment fees does Dare County charge online?
Credit and debit card payments have a 2.95% service fee with a $2.50 minimum. E-check payments have a $1.25 flat fee.
Where do I mail a regular Dare County water bill payment?
Make checks payable to Dare County Water Department and mail regular payments to P.O. Box 538321, Atlanta, GA 30353-8321.
Where should online bank bill pay checks go?
Dare County says online bank bill pay checks should be sent to Dare County Water Department, 600 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. Allow at least 12 business days.
Where should I mail a second notice payment?
Second notice payments should be mailed to Dare County Water Department, 600 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948-9998. Call 252-475-5990 if the deadline is close.
Does Dare County Water serve Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head or Manteo?
Dare County Water serves certain areas, including Colington and some Kill Devil Hills areas west of Bermuda Bay off Colington Road. Other Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo customers should contact their town water department.
How do I apply for Dare County water service?
Use the official Apply for Water Service page. You will need your Dare County parcel number, and new accounts are set up by property owners only.
How do Dare County water billing cycles work?
Dare County bills quarterly by cycle. Cycle One bills in March, June, September and December; Cycle Two bills in January, April, July and October; Cycle Three bills in February, May, August and November.
How does Dare County handle leak adjustments?
A leak must be repaired before an adjustment request. Documentation is required, and customers may apply for up to two leak adjustments within a 12-calendar-month period.
What is Dropcountr for Dare County Water customers?
Dropcountr is a usage portal and mobile app that helps customers track water use, set alerts, receive leak alerts and get targeted outage or maintenance notices.
What is the Dare County Water after-hours phone number?
Dare County lists 252-475-5812 for after-hours Water Department help when applicable. For immediate danger to life or property, call 911 first.
Does this page collect Dare County water payments?
No. This is an informational guide. Use official Dare County pages and the official utility payment portal for live payment, balance, account status and service help.
Pay Your Water Bill Safely, Fix High Bills, Avoid Shutoff, Start Service and Find Official Utility Links
Use this free USA water bill assistant before paying online, calling utility billing, setting up AutoPay, checking a high bill, requesting leak help, starting or stopping service, handling a past due account, or searching for the official city utility portal.
What water bill problem do you need to solve?
Choose your situation. The tool will suggest the safest route, what to prepare, and which official page or office to check first.
Open the official city, county, water authority or utility website first. Do not enter account details into a random sponsored payment page.
If the bill is unusually high, compare usage, billing days, meter read type, toilet leaks, irrigation, late fees and leak adjustment rules before paying blindly.
Safe Water Bill Payment Route
Choose how you want to pay. This helps users avoid wrong portals, posting delays and urgent shutoff mistakes.
AutoPay / Bank Draft Setup Helper
Use this before enrolling in recurring payments so the first draft, current balance and payment date do not surprise you.
High Water Bill Review
Compare your normal bill and usage with the current bill. This gives a practical path before requesting a high bill review.
Leak Adjustment Proof Checklist
Use this before asking for a leak adjustment, high bill review, sewer adjustment or payment plan.
Past Due, Shutoff Notice and Reconnect Helper
Use this if your bill is late, you received a shutoff notice, service is off, or you need a payment plan.
Start, Stop or Transfer Water Service
Use this before moving, closing an account, starting service, transferring service or requesting a final bill.
Water Bill Cost Estimate
Estimate a simple monthly bill from base charge, water usage, sewer, stormwater, trash, service fees and late charges. Official tiered rates may be different.
Bill Dispute and Meter Reading Checklist
Use this before calling billing support about a meter reading, duplicate payment, wrong address, missing payment, estimated bill, or incorrect charge.
Official Water Bill Portal and Phone Finder
Enter city/utility and state to create safe searches for official water bill pay, phone payment, guest pay, AutoPay, start service, leak adjustment, reconnect, assistance and this site’s guide.
Official portal safety
- Use official city, county, authority or utility websites first.
- Check service address before paying.
- Save confirmation number and screenshot.
- Call the utility for shutoff or reconnect situations.
Best sitewide placement
Place this tool after the first payment section or before FAQs. It turns every water bill article into a practical help page, not only a list of links.
Important note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Always confirm payment portals, fees, shutoff rules, assistance programs, account balance and reconnection steps with the official utility.