Independent Richmond County Water Guide: WaterDepartmentGuide.org is an independent informational resource. It is not operated by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Richmond County Government or the Richmond County Water Department.
This guide covers the Richmond County Water Department in Rockingham, North Carolina. It does not refer to Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia, or Richmond County Water Utility in Nova Scotia.
Richmond County Water Department 2026: Phone, Address & Hours
Richmond County NC water contact guide
Call the Right Richmond County Water Office the First Time
The Richmond County Water Department is a county-owned water utility serving qualifying customers in Richmond County, North Carolina. Its customer-facing billing office is at the Richmond County Administration Building, 1401 Fayetteville Road, Rockingham, NC 28379.
For billing, account records and service questions, call 910-997-8201 or 910-997-8202. For water-main, meter, hydrant and maintenance issues, call 910-997-8338. Automated water-bill payments use a separate number: 910-997-8283.
The County Administration Building publishes regular public business hours of Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.. Because the Water Services page does not publish a separate counter-hours schedule, call Water Billing before making a time-sensitive trip, especially around County holidays.
Most searched details
Richmond County Water Department Quick Facts
For a bill, account, service availability or customer-record question, start with 910-997-8202. For a broken County water line, hydrant problem, service leak or maintenance issue, use 910-997-8338.
Do not call the wrong line
Richmond County Water Department Phone Numbers
Customer Account Questions
910-997-8201 910-997-8202Use for billing records, customer accounts, service inquiries and payment questions.
Leaks, Mains & Hydrants
910-997-8338Use for Water Department maintenance and Public Works-related water-system issues.
Pay by Phone
910-997-8283Have both the account number and customer number shown on the water bill.
Administration Building
910-997-8200General Richmond County Administration contact.
The Richmond County Water Department has separate Administration/Billing, Treatment and Maintenance functions. Calling the division that owns the problem can prevent unnecessary transfers.
Customer office
Richmond County Water Department Address & Hours
Richmond County Administration Building
1401 Fayetteville Road
Rockingham, NC 28379
The Water Services page confirms that in-person water payments are accepted at this address. Richmond County pages publish 8 a.m.–5 p.m. as the Administration Building’s normal weekday business schedule, but the Water Services page does not separately publish dedicated water-counter hours.
County offices close for major holidays. If you need same-day account help, service activation or an in-person payment near a holiday, call Water Billing before traveling.
Use the right address
Water Payment Mailing Address vs. Public Works Address
Richmond County Water Department
P.O. Box 127
Rockingham, NC 28380
Jerry Austin
191 Walter Kelly Road
P.O. Box 368
Rockingham, NC 28380
The Water Services page specifically instructs water customers mailing a payment to use P.O. Box 127, Rockingham, NC 28380.
Six official payment options
How to Pay a Richmond County Water Bill
Pay In Person
Visit the Water Department customer office at 1401 Fayetteville Road. The County says customers can pay inside or use the drive-thru window.
Office DetailsDrive-Thru
Use the drive-thru payment window at the Administration Building for quicker in-person transactions.
DirectionsAfter-Hours Drop Box
A payment drop box is beside the drive-thru window. The County specifically says not to place cash in the drop box.
Pay by Mail
Mail the payment to Richmond County Water Department, P.O. Box 127, Rockingham, NC 28380.
Pay by Phone
Call the automated payment line at 910-997-8283. Have the account and customer numbers ready.
Pay Online
Register through the County-linked customer portal using the account number and customer number shown on the bill.
Open Customer PortalCounty guidance says a convenience fee applies to credit/debit card transactions made in person, by phone or online.
The Water Services page says these payment methods do not carry the card convenience fee.
Avoid missed due dates
Richmond County Water Automatic Bank Draft
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1
Visit the Water Department office
The County requires customers enrolling in bank draft to complete a Bank Authorization Form.
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2
Bring bank documentation
Bring a voided check or documentation from the financial institution showing the required banking information.
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3
Complete authorization
Water Administration staff can enroll the account for automatic monthly payment.
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4
Payment drafts on the due date
The County states that the monthly water bill is automatically drafted from the enrolled account on the bill due date.
The official Water Services page specifically lists bank draft among payment methods without the credit/debit convenience fee.
New customer
How to Start Richmond County Water Service
The County Water Services page provides an official Water Service Application. Before submitting it, verify that Richmond County Water serves the exact property and whether an existing meter/tap is already available.
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1
Call Water Administration
Provide the service address and ask whether Richmond County Water is available at the property.
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2
Determine whether this is account activation or a new tap
An existing metered property generally follows the customer-account route. A property requiring a new physical connection can require additional Water Department review.
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3
Download the official Water Service Application
Use the application linked from the County Water Services page rather than a third-party copy.
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4
Ask about current fees and documentation
The County also publishes current Water Rules & Regulations. Verify the applicable setup, deposit, tap or other charges with Water Administration before payment.
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5
Confirm the requested connection date
Do not assume water will be activated immediately after submitting paperwork. Ask staff when access and activation can occur.
The County Water Services page links the Water Service Application, Residential Tap Application Checklist and 2026–2027 Rules & Regulations.
New construction / no existing meter
Need a New Richmond County Water Tap?
Start with Water Billing & Collections.
Use the County’s Residential Tap Application Checklist and Water Department instructions.
Water Administration can confirm service availability and the correct application.
They can involve different paperwork, scheduling and charges. Confirm the physical service status of the property first.
Water leak or no service
Richmond County Water Emergency Instructions
The official Richmond County Water Services page instructs customers with an after-hours emergency related to water service to call 911 so on-call Water Department personnel can be dispatched.
Water leak
A significant water-system leak requiring after-hours attention.
Loss of water service
An unexpected loss of water requiring system assessment.
The County’s 911 instruction is specifically for after-hours water-service emergencies such as leaks or loss of service. Billing, deposits, online payments and account questions should wait for Water Administration.
Three Water Department functions
Who Handles Your Richmond County Water Issue?
Billing & Customer Accounts
- Service availability
- Customer accounts
- Billing records
- Payments
- Service inquiries
- Account collections
Drinking Water Production
- Water treatment
- Drinking-water standards
- Treatment operations
- Water-quality monitoring
- Annual quality reporting
Distribution System
- Water mains
- Valves
- Hydrants
- Main breaks
- Service leaks
- Maintenance repairs
Department leadership contact
Richmond County Public Works Water Contact
Jerry Austin
191 Walter Kelly Road
P.O. Box 368
Rockingham, NC 28380
The current Water Services page also lists Chrissy Smith-Hudson, Administrative Assistant II, at 910-997-8338 and chrissy.smith-hudson@richmondnc.com.
Online account access
Richmond County Water Customer Portal
The County says both numbers are shown at the top right of the water bill and are required for portal registration/payment.
- 1Find the account number on your bill.
- 2Find the separate customer number.
- 3Open the County-linked customer portal.
- 4Register or enter the requested account information.
- 5Review the account before submitting payment.
Online credit/debit payments are subject to a convenience fee according to the County’s current Water Services page.
Drinking-water information
Richmond County Annual Drinking Water Report
Richmond County publishes an annual drinking-water quality report through the Water Services page. The current page links a 2025 Annual Drinking Water Report along with prior-year reports.
Explains drinking-water monitoring and regulatory information.
Available from the official Richmond County Water Services page.
The County also keeps multiple earlier annual reports linked for customers.
Avoid a common mistake
Richmond County Water vs. City of Rockingham Water
Richmond County Water Department
Richmond County GovernmentUse the County numbers in this article only when your property is a Richmond County Water customer.
City Utility Service
May have different billing/contact routesA Rockingham mailing address alone does not prove which utility account serves a property.
Check the utility name printed on the existing bill, ask the property owner, or call Richmond County Water Billing with the exact service address.
Before driving to Rockingham
Richmond County Water Office Visit Checklist
Call first
Confirm the correct division and counter availability.
Bring the water bill
It contains the customer and account numbers needed for many transactions.
Know the service address
Use the exact address attached to the water account.
Bring payment documentation
Avoid cash in the after-hours drop box.
Bank draft?
Bring a voided check or qualifying financial-institution documentation.
New service?
Ask which application and current fees apply before arriving.
One-minute contact finder
Which Richmond County Water Number Should You Call?
| Your Question | Best Contact | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Water bill amount | Billing & Collections | 910-997-8202 |
| Start or stop water service | Water Administration | 910-997-8201 / 8202 |
| Online account problem | Water Billing | 910-997-8202 |
| Automated card payment | Payment system | 910-997-8283 |
| Water-main leak | Water Maintenance | 910-997-8338 |
| Hydrant damage | Water Maintenance | 910-997-8338 |
| After-hours water leak | County-directed emergency dispatch | 911 |
| After-hours loss of water | County-directed emergency dispatch | 911 |
Primary sources
Official Richmond County Water Links
Understand your water account
Richmond County Water Terms
- Water Administration
- The Water Department division handling customer accounts, billing records, service availability, collections and related customer inquiries.
- Water Maintenance
- The division responsible for water mains, valves, hydrants, system leaks and distribution-system maintenance.
- Customer Number
- A customer identifier shown on the water bill and used with the account number for online and automated payment services.
- Account Number
- The identifier associated with the water-service account or service location.
- Bank Draft
- An authorized automatic payment withdrawn from the customer’s checking account on the water-bill due date.
- Water Tap
- The physical connection linking a service line to the County’s water-distribution infrastructure.
- Convenience Fee
- An additional transaction charge the County states applies to credit/debit card payments made in person, online or by phone.
- Annual Drinking Water Report
- The annual customer report providing information about the public water system and drinking-water quality monitoring.
Frequently asked questions
Richmond County Water Department FAQs
What is the Richmond County Water Department phone number?
For water billing and customer accounts, call 910-997-8201 or 910-997-8202. For Water Maintenance, including water-main, hydrant and maintenance issues, call 910-997-8338.
Where is the Richmond County Water Department located?
The customer-facing Richmond County Water billing office accepts in-person payments at the Richmond County Administration Building, 1401 Fayetteville Road, Rockingham, NC 28379.
What are the Richmond County Water Department hours?
The Richmond County Administration Building publishes normal weekday business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Water Services page does not separately publish dedicated billing-counter hours, so call 910-997-8201 or 910-997-8202 before a time-sensitive visit or around holidays.
How do I pay my Richmond County water bill by phone?
Call the automated water-payment number at 910-997-8283. Richmond County says you will need both the account number and customer number from the top-right portion of your water bill.
Can I pay my Richmond County water bill online?
Yes. Richmond County links customers to its Municipal Online Payments portal. Registration/payment requires the water-account number and customer number. The County states that credit and debit card payments are subject to a convenience fee.
What is the Richmond County Water Department mailing address?
For mailed water payments, the County instructs customers to use Richmond County Water Department, P.O. Box 127, Rockingham, NC 28380.
How do I start Richmond County water service?
Call Water Billing & Collections at 910-997-8201 or 910-997-8202 to verify service availability for the property. The County Water Services page provides an official Water Service Application and a Residential Tap Application Checklist for qualifying connection situations.
Who do I call about a Richmond County water leak?
For Water Maintenance questions, call 910-997-8338. The County says its Maintenance Division handles water mains, valves, hydrants, main breaks and service leaks.
What do I do for a Richmond County water emergency after hours?
The official Water Services page instructs customers with an after-hours water emergency to call 911 so on-call personnel can be dispatched. The County identifies a water leak or loss of water service as qualifying examples. Do not use 911 for routine billing or payment questions.
Who is the Richmond County Public Works Director?
The current Richmond County Water Services page lists Jerry Austin as Public Works Director. His office phone is 910-997-8338 and his published email address is jerry.austin@richmondnc.com.
Billing Question? Call 910-997-8202.
Use 910-997-8201/8202 for accounts and billing, 910-997-8338 for Water Maintenance and 910-997-8283 for automated payments. The customer office is at 1401 Fayetteville Road in Rockingham.