Thank you for visiting the New Hanover County Water & Sewer District website. We are located in the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 170, Wilmington, NC 28403. Our office hours are 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday - Friday. Our phone number is 910-798-7162. Our fax number is 910-798-7050.
Directions to Our Office / Fax Number / After Hours Emergency Number:
We are located at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Dr, Suite 170, Wilmington, NC 28403.
From N. or S. College Rd.: Turn onto Oriole Dr. (at Neuwirth Motors), then turn left onto Government Center Dr. and proceed to the 2nd New Hanover County Government Center parking lot (on the left side of Government Center Dr., before reaching the Gold's Gym parking lot).
From Eastwood Rd.: Turn onto Racine Dr. (at the Crown gas station), then turn right onto Government Center Dr. and proceed to the 2nd New Hanover County Government Center parking lot (on the right side of Government Center Dr., after passing the Gold's Gym parking lot).
Our fax number is 910-798-7050. The after hours (water/sewer engineering) emergency number is 910-341-4110.
Tenants / Leasing a Property / Duplicate (Third Party) Billing:
Per New Hanover County ordinance, the water/sewer account will remain in the property owner's name at all times and the owner will receive the original bill. Property owners must notify the District in person, or by mail, fax, or phone if they wish for their tenant(s) to receive a duplicate (third party) bill. We do not start or stop a billing cycle for a change of tenants. Therefore the property owner and tenant must prorate the bill themselves when tenants move in or out. A Third Party Billing form is available on this web site to notify us in writing of a new tenant at a property.
Buying a Home:
If you are purchasing a home in the area, you are required to complete an application for water and/or sewer service. This should be done once you have closed on the property. To apply for service you may 1) print an application from our web site and mail or fax the completed form to us. 2) apply in person to the Water & Sewer District or 3) accounts and services can be set up over the phone for a $15 administrative fee.
Selling a Home:
Per New Hanover County ordinance, a property owner is responsible for all charges on their water/sewer account until the District is notified by mail, fax or phone of a change of ownership. If you are selling your home, a request for change of ownership must be given to our office in order to final your account. Please include in your request: the property address, account number, closing date, a forwarding address for your final bill, telephone number where you can be reached if needed, and the new owner's name if known. Sign and date your request. A form is available on this website.
To Change your Mailing Address:
The property owner may notify the District in person or by mail, fax or phone of any mailing address changes. In your request, include the service address, account number, new mailing address and a telephone number where you can be reached if needed. Sign and date your request. A form is available on this website.
To Change Your Sewer Billing Method (from metered to flat rate or flat to metered rate):
The property owner may request to change their sewer billing method in person or by mail, fax, or phone. This change may be requested at anytime. An administrative fee of $100 is required in order to process the request; however, new accounts that have not received the 3rd billing may have the sewer rate changed with no fee.
After-hours Payment Boxes:
Two after-hours payment boxes are located at the New Hanover County Government Center: one is located outside the building (immediately to the right of the Government Center Dr. entrance doors) and the other one is located inside the building, on the right-hand wall between the Government Center Dr. entrance doors and the aquarium (as you face the aquarium).
Water Quality and Water Main Breaks:
If you have a concern or question about the quality of your water, or need to report a water main break, please contact the New Hanover County Engineering Department at 910-798-7139 or 910-798-7141. The after hours emergency number is 910-341-4110.
County Legal Department:
If you have a question concerning a sewer service termination, property foreclosure or bankruptcy, please contact the County Attorney’s office at 910-798-7153. The fax number is 910-798-7157. The address is New Hanover County, Office of the County Attorney, Legal Collections Division, 230 Government Center Dr. Wilmington, NC 28403.
Additional Information
How do I set up my account for water and/or sewer service? An application for water and/or sewer service may be completed and submitted after you have closed on your property either: 1) in person, 2) by mail or fax or 3) by phone (a $15 administration fee applies by phone). The New Hanover County Water and Sewer Ordinance requires that accounts be established in the name of property owner. The property owner may request for the tenant to receive a third party bill which is a duplicate of the owner’s bill.
What are the billing options for water and/or sewer service? For sewer service there is a choice of flat rate or metered rate. For water service only metered rate is available. Billing is done bi-monthly. Information to assist in determining the best sewer rate for your property is available by accessing the application on this website and by contacting any of our office personnel.
When does my billing for water and/or sewer service begin? For existing properties, the bi-monthly billing begins on the date of a change of ownership. The property owner is responsible for all fees until we are notified of a change in ownership. For new development, the billing begins on the earlier of the date the water meter is installed by the County Engineering Department or the date of the plumbing final inspection by the Inspection Department.
How often do I receive a bill for water and/or sewer service? Bi-monthly, or 6 billings per calendar year.
Why do I receive 2 or 3 bills for water and/or sewer services? The New Hanover County Water and Sewer District bills for County sewer and water on one bill. However, if your water service is provided by the City of Wilmington or an independent water system, you will receive a separate bill from that water supplier. Furthermore, the District does not bill for refuse or storm water collections. If subject to these, you will receive a separate bill from the suppliers of those services.
How do I discontinue my water and/or sewer service? Request for account termination should be made to New Hanover County Water & Sewer District either by 1) mail, 2) fax or 3) phone. If your request is by mail or fax, please include the following information: The service address, closing date, forwarding address and phone number, and the new owner’s name if possible. Please sign and date your request.