Frequently Asked Questions
Water and Sewer Services
Follow the instructions on the Apply for Water Service page.
Contact Public Utilities Customer Service at 919-989-5075.
Contact Public Utilities Customer Service at (919) 989-5075.
Yes. Use the Apply for Free Bank Draft.
Yes, bills can be paid via cash in-person only. See Payment Options for more information.
Download and complete the Stop Utility Services Request Form.
Check your bank account for the type of payment you made to insure that the transaction didn't go through. Then call Customer Service at 919-989-5075 (Option 1).
The rates are included with the Johnston County Water and Sewer Policies document, and are also on the Fee Schedule page.
Complete the Report a Damaged Water Meter form or contact Public Utilities Customer Service by email at publicutilities@johnstonnc.gov or by phone at (919) 989-5075.
Call Public Utilities Customer Service at 919-989-5075 during normal business hours or 919-934-9411 after normal business hours or on the weekend.
Contact Public Utilities Customer Service at (919) 989-5075.
Chlorine disinfection for Johnston West customers starts every Spring, and is announced in advance on the Public Utilities website and Johnston County Government website.
Irrigation and Outdoor Uses
See the Irrigation policies.
Use the Water Bill Calculator to estimate the costs of various usage levels.
Johnston County follows State guidelines that recommend rate structures to encourage water conservation. These include tiered rates that have the lowest rates for domestic or essential water use and higher rates for non-essential water use. Irrigation use puts the greatest demand on our water treatment and transmission capacity, and we have to size our treatment facilities and transmission system to meet the peak summertime demands, which is significantly driven by irrigation demands.
Water and Sewer Capital Improvements
Johnston County provides a yearly Water Quality report. Water Quality reports can be found on the Current Water Quality and Wastewater Reports page.
A boil water advisory is a public notification informing water customers to boil their tap water before using it for drinking purposes. The County will issue a boil water advisory to customers in response to an event that could allow contaminants to enter the distribution system. Such events include scheduled water main maintenance, water main breaks or system pressure loss. The number of customers affected by a boil water advisory depends on the event prompting the advisory. The County notifies customers of a boil water advisory by issuing door hangers (when a small number of customers are affected) or by call-out (JOCOALERTS). Please ensure your current phone number is kept up to date with Johnston County Public Utilities. For more information on boil water advisories, go to Understanding a Boil Water Advisory.
Temporary low or no water pressure can be caused by heavy water use in your area, such as a water main break or hydrants being accessed to fight a nearby fire. If you experience extremely low or no water pressure, please contact Public Utilities Customer Service at 919-989-5075
The most common cause for unusually low water pressure is a faulty pressure reducer valve (PRV), which is located on the customer's water service (most often, just before the water enters a home in a crawlspace). If you are experiencing lower than normal water pressure, but maintain the ability to use all fixtures, please complete the Request Low Water Pressure service form, and we will send a technician out to investigate further.
The first thing you should do is allow your tap to run a few minutes to see if it clears up. This will help you determine if the discolored water is coming from the distribution system or your home's plumbing system. If this doesn't correct the problem within about five minutes, please contact Public Utilities Customer Service at 919-989-5075.
Cloudy water is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to the gas bubbles in carbonated soft drinks. After awhile, the bubbles rise to the top and are gone. This type of cloudiness occurs more often in the winter, when the drinking water is cold. In order to clear the bubbles, let the water run for a short period of time and check periodically for water clarity. If the discoloration continues, please call Public Utilities Customer Service at 919-989-5075.
Rusty brown water may be caused when your water pipes or fixtures leading to your home are rusting. If you are having trouble and your neighbors are not, then your own pipes and water heater are possibly rusting. A licensed plumber may be needed to correct the problem.
Almost all water pipes have a thin film of rust and harmless sediment on the inside of the pipe walls. Although this thin film causes no problems, over time, it can build up to the point that a slight increase in water velocity can cause it to break loose from the interior pipe wall. This material causes your tap water to appear discolored or dirty. Normallly, discolored water is the result of high water demands within the distribution system. Johnston County Public Utilities performs flushing of the water mains in your area to remove sediment before it reaches your water tap.
Even though the discolored water is not harmful, we realize it is not aesthetically pleasing either. Whether or not you feel comfortable drinking the water is a personal decision and an understandable one. If, at any time, Johnston County's water is deemed unsafe to drink, you will be notified by Johnston County Public Utilities with guidance from the State of North Carolina's Division of Environmental Quality immediately through several communication channels.
Although harmless, discolored water may leave stains when washing clothes. If you are experiencing discolored water, you may want to postpone doing laundry for a short time until your water becomes clear.
As with all of your personal and family's home and health decisions, common sense is always the best approach. Even though discolored water is harmless, if you don't feel comfortable using it during short periods of discoloration, we certainly understand. As always, you are the best judge of what is best for you.
The County's water distribution system is divided into two areas -- East and West. The East system is normally operated with a chlorine-only disinfection process. However, the West system typically operates with a chloramine process, which has no taste or odor associated with it. Every year, during the month of March, the County changes the disinfection process for the West system to also use only chlorine. Periodically, we are required to switch to only chlorine disinfection to properly control microbial growth whtin the water distribution system The water remains safe to drink for both systems. However, you can fill a pitcher with tap water and let it sit for several hours in the refrigerator to dissipate the chlorine taste and odor.
Please visit Johnston County's Lead Prevention Program page for updated information.
Please visit Johnston County's PFAS/PFOA page for updated information.
Water Quality
Do not pour grease, fats and/or oils from cooking down the sink drain or garbage disposal. Collect grease in a container and dispose of it in the garbage.
Do not use the sewer system as a means to dispose of food scraps. Place food scraps in waste containers or garbage bags for disposal with your weekly garbage or place your food scraps in a compost pile.
Do not use the toilet as a waste basket. Place a waste basket in the bathroom to dispose of garbage. Disposable diapers, condoms, wipes, dental floss and personal hygiene products do not belong in the sewer system. Do not flush any disposable or "flushable" wipes.
You can call Public Utilities Customer Service at 919-989-5075 to report a back-up. However, most sewer back-ups occur between the house and the County's sewer main. If there is a blocked sewer service between the house and County's sewer main, the property owner is responsible for correcting the problem. If you have a plumber clear the blockage, make sure to request that the plumber clear the blockage all the way to the County. main.
A backwater valve is a simple, gravity-flow-activated check valve installed on a private sewer service line to prevent wastewater from flowing back into the house. If the elevation of the lowest floor of your house is lower than the closest upstream manhole, you likely need a backwater valve. A plumber can help determine if your house needs a backwater valve.
Call Public Utilities Customer Service at 919-989-5075 during normal business hours or 919-934-4911 after normal business hours or on the weekend. Only authorized personnel may access public manholes or privately owned grease interceptors for maintenance and monitoring activities. An illicit discharge or illegal dumping may result in:
- clogged or overflowing sewer lines
- disruption of wastewater treatment plant processes
- damage to sewer lines
- buildup of toxic gases in the lines
- problems with treatment at the wastewater treatment facility
Wastewater reports are issued every year and can be found on the Current Water Quality and Wastewater Reports page.
Sewer Services
Public utility easements for water and sewer mains are critical access points for our staff to maintain the water and sewer systems, particularly when repairs are needed. If impediments, such as large trees, fences, walls and sheds are present, it can significantly impact our ability to make any necessary repairs and/or clean the sewer system to prevent spills. Periodically, the County conducts clearing and vegetation removal along these easements, particularly in areas where large trees and vegetation can take over. Staff posts signs in the area when easement clearing is being done. County staff accesses these areas by the legally recorded access and/or utility easements. Existing public utility easements are recorded with the Johnston County Register of Deeds and identified by a Deed of Easement or Plat.
Public Utility Easements
Visit the Projects Out for Bid page.
View the Complete Projects page.
Page last updated: April 2, 2024