Residential Customers Questions and Answers

  1. How do I set up my new service with Billing and Collection, if I am renting?

    Answer:
  2. How do I set up my new service with Lincoln County if I am a homeowner?

    Answer:
  3. It is possible for me to fax in my completed new account set up form to set up my new service with Lincoln County?

    Answer: Yes, if you are a homeowner (Establishing Service ). Since we require a rental deposit to be paid for customers who rent, tenants need to come into our office to pay the deposit. (Fee Schedule)

  4. If I want to connect to the County's water/sewer system, what do I need to do?

    Answer:
    • You will need to come to one of our locations (Billing and Collection Office locations) to complete an application and pay the appropriate fees. (Fee Schedule)
    • Bring valid picture identification.

      *Once fees are paid and the application has been submitted, it will be approximately ten (10) working days before your new service will be installed.
  5. If I am going to be out of town for several months, what options do I have to suspend service until I am back?

    Answer:
    We offer our customers the option to make their account inactive at a fee (Fee Schedule). What this means is County personnel comes out and locks the meter which will turn off your water. The office staff will then make the account inactive which suspends the bill until the customer contacts us to unlock the meter and make the account active again; however, there is a fee if activated within twelve months. (Fee Schedule)

    Please remember that an inactive account is not closed, it only has the billing suspended and the customer is still responsible for the account until the account is closed.

  6. If I want to winterize my irrigation system, what option do I have to suspend the service until I am ready to use the irrigation system?

    Answer:
    We offer our customers the option to make their irrigation account inactive at a fee (Fee Schedule). What this means is County Personnel comes out and locks the irrigation meter which will turn off your irrigation water. The office staff will then make the irrigation account inactive which suspends the bill until the customer contacts us to unlock the irrigation meter and make the irrigation account active again. If the customer chooses to inactivate the irrigation meter and reactivates the irrigation meter within a twelve month time period, the customer will be charged the Irrigation Activation Fee at the time of activation.

    Please remember that an inactive account is not closed, it only has the billing suspended and the customer is still responsible for the account until the account is closed.

  7. If I want to make my account inactive, what do I do?

    Answers:
    You must send the Utility Disconnection/Inactivation of Service form to us by either fax (704-736-8499), email the request to billcollect@lincolncounty.org, or come into one of our billing and collections locations.

  8. If I am moving and want to disconnect my service, what do I need to do?

    Answer:
    You must send the Utility Disconnection/Inactivation of Service to us by either fax (704-736-8499), email the request to billcollect@lincolncounty.org, or come into one of our billing and collections locations.

    Please make sure to include your forwarding address and contact information with your request. If we do not receive your forwarding information, we will be unable to process your request. Once we receive your request, personnel will turn off the meter by locking it. The office staff will then final your account and you will receive a final bill.

  9. Can I pay my account online or over the telephone?

    Answer:
    Lincoln County Finance does not accept any payments over the telephone. We do offer the ability to pay ONLINE, by cash, check, money order or credit/debit if you come into either of our office locations or by mail.

  10. How do I set up my utility account to be automatically drafted from my checking account?

    Answer:
    Lincoln County Finance offers its customers the ability to set up their accounts on automatic bank draft. You will need to complete the necessary form, attach a voided check (Bank Draft Forms) and return them to us at either of our office locations (Billing and Collection Office locations).

  11. What option do I have to make a payment after normal business hours?

    Answer:
    You can play ONLINE or use our after hours dropbox. We strongly suggest that you only put checks and money orders in our drop box. Payments will be posted on the next business day.

    We cannot process any credit/debit card payments left in the drop box.

  12. Where does my responsibility for my plumbing begin?

    Answer:
    The homeowner's responsibility begins at the connection at the meter and continues throughout property including any buried pipes and piping in the house.

  13. Where does the County's responsibility begin?

    Answer:
    Lincoln County Public Works is responsible for all main water/sewer lines throughout the system, up to and including the water meter.

  14. How do I determine if I have a leak on my plumbing system?

    Answer:
    Please click on following link. (Utility Services page)

  15. How do I get an adjustment to my account if I have had a leak?

    Answer:
    Once the repair has been made, you will need to complete the necessary form and enclose copies of receipts or invoices showing that the repair has been made (Leak Adjustment Request and Policy). No adjustment will be given on any bill older than the past two billing cycles or on any irrigation accounts.

  16. What is my responsibility concerning gravity sewer?

    Answer:
    The customer is responsible from the sewer main back to the house, including all household plumbing.

  17. Do I need to install a backflow prevention device?

    Answer:
    For more information o who would need a backflow prevention device, please visit our Cross-Connection website at (Cross-Connection page).

  18. What do I do if my water meter is locked due to delinquency of my account?

    Answer:
    If your meter has been locked due to delinquency, the past due balance will need to be paid to have the service restored. (Fee Schedule). Lincoln County does offer an after-hours service for accounts which have been locked due to delinquency for an additional fee (Fee Schedule). To obtain this service, you will need to contact our after-hours number at 704-735-8202. Only checks, money orders or certified checks will be accepted after-hours.

  19. If I see a leak on the County's water or sewer system, how do I report it?

    Answer:
    You can call either of our offices (Billing and Collection Office locations), or come into the office to report any problems that you see on the County's system, or call the after-hours number at 704-735-8202.

  20. Once I report a leak on the County's system, how long before the water leak is repaired?

    Answer:
    Under normal working conditions, it takes approximately five (5) working days to get a leak repaired. Lincoln County Public Works is under regulations that we must call NC One Call to have the area located for any existing buried utilities before we can dig in the area.

  21. If I have concerns that my meter is not working properly, what are my options?

    Answer:
    We do offer to our customers the option to have their meter tested. There is a charge for testing. (Fee Schedule) (Meter Test form)

  22. What does the paint markings in my yard mean?

    Answer:
    Click on the link to see the color chart. (Color Code Chart for locates)

  23. If I am going to dig in my yard, how do I find out where the buried utilities are?

    Answer:
    You will need to call NC One Call at 1-800-632-4949 or 811. They will then send all pertinent utilities out to locate the buried utilities.
*Lincoln County Public Works only locates to the water meter. It is the customer's responsibility
to have any buried water/sewer lines that they are responsible for.


If you have any questions or concerns which have not been answered above, please do not hesitate to contact one of our Customer Service personnel at either of our office locations. (Billing and Collection Office locations)