You don’t need to be a plumbing pro to stop wasting money on your water bill in Winston‑Salem. I’ll walk you through how the bill is put together, what changed recently, and the exact, budget-friendly moves that actually lower your monthly total. No scare tactics. No jargon without explanation. Just practical steps you can do this weekend — and a few ideas worth investing in if you want bigger savings.
Why your Winston‑Salem bill feels higher (and what the city changed)
Two parts make most utility bills sting: the base charge (the fee for having a connection) and the consumption charge (what you pay for each unit of water you use). Recently, the utility approved a modest rate increase that nudged the average residential bill up by only a few dollars a month. At the same time, the utility has been installing modern smart meters and rolling out tools to help customers spot leaks and track usage more easily.
How your bill is built — in plain language
Think of the bill like a phone plan with a line fee and per-minute charges:
- Base charge (readiness‑to‑serve): a small fixed fee for maintaining your connection.
- Consumption charge: a tiered price based on how much water you use during the billing period (measured in cubic feet or gallons).
- Sewer and stormwater fees: often billed alongside water and can add significantly to the total.
Because the utility has smart metering underway, more customers will be billed monthly instead of every two months. Monthly billing makes it easier to spot sudden spikes — which is great if you want to budget or catch leaks early.
A realistic example — how a small household bill is calculated
To make numbers useful, here’s a simple example using city rate structure (base + consumption). This is an illustration — your exact bill depends on meter size and exact consumption.
| Item | Monthly amount (example) |
|---|---|
| Base charge (5/8″ meter) | $7.82 |
| Water consumption (≈4,000 gallons / month) | ≈$16.35 |
| Sewer charge (same usage) | ≈$25.56 |
| Total water + sewer (approx.) | $49.73 |
This shows how consumption often dominates. Cut your gallons and you directly shrink a big piece of the bill.
Cheap wins — fixes that cost little or nothing
Start here. These are low-effort and usually the fastest way to see savings.
- Check for leaks: turn off all water in the house and watch the meter for a few minutes. If it moves, you’ve got a leak. Use the little dial on the meter or the smart‑meter portal if you have access.
- Fix running toilets: a constantly running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons a day. Most replacements for flappers or fill-valves are under $20 and you can swap them in 15 minutes.
- Shorten showers by 1–2 minutes and swap to a low‑flow showerhead. You’ll save gallons per shower without giving up comfort.
- Run full loads for dishwasher and washing machine. One full load uses far less water per dish or per pound of laundry than half loads.
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving. It’s free and often ignored.
Bigger, cheap investments that pay back quickly
If you can spare $20–200, these moves are worth it:
- Install aerators on bathroom and kitchen faucets. They cut flow but keep the pressure you like.
- Replace an old toilet with a modern low‑flow model or retrofit with a dual‑flush conversion kit.
- Consider a more efficient washing machine when the old one dies — water‑saving models use much less water per load.
Outdoors and irrigation — big bills hide here
Garden hoses and automatic irrigation systems are silent bill blowers. If you water your lawn or plants from the tap, those gallons show up on your bill unless you have a separate irrigation meter.
Tips: water early in the morning, reduce frequency, and swap to drip irrigation for flower beds. If you use a programmable controller, dial it back by even one cycle per week during the shoulder seasons.
How to catch leaks fast (and proof you have one)
Use the meter test: stop all water use, go to your meter, and watch the small sweep hand or digital readout. If it moves, you have flow somewhere. Smart meters and customer portals can send leak alerts so you don’t wait for the bill to find out.
What the utility can do for you
Winston‑Salem has programs and customer service options to help with high bills or payment trouble. You can enroll in payment plans, sign up for paperless billing or autopay, and use the utility’s online tools to monitor consumption. If you’re struggling financially, local assistance programs and nonprofit agencies sometimes help with past‑due balances — contact CityLink to learn what’s available.
When to call a pro
If you find a leak you can’t access, see unexpected high water under the house, or have a recurring spike you can’t trace, call a licensed plumber. Some leaks (hidden pipe breaks, slab leaks) need quick, professional attention — they also waste the most water.
Simple monthly checklist to keep your bill low
Do this once a month and you’ll avoid surprise bills:
- Quick leak check at the meter (one minute).
- Run full loads only and check toilet flappers.
- Scan the bill or portal for unusual upticks compared with the same month last year.
Case: How I cut a roommate house bill by a third (real steps, anonymous)
We were three adults. Bills kept shooting up in summer. First, I checked the meter and found a slow leak at a leaking hose bib — fixed with a $6 washer. I then swapped showerheads and aerators across the house. We shifted lawn watering to twice a week instead of daily. Finally, we set the utility portal alerts to flag sudden jumps. Over two months the water portion dropped by about 30% — the savings were immediate and the changes stuck because they were low-effort.
Final word — prioritize the easy wins, then invest
Start with leak detection and behavior changes. Those are cheap and fast. If you want extra savings, invest in efficient fixtures and smarter irrigation. Use the utility’s monitoring tools once your smart meter is active. They make tracking usage simple and keep surprises off your budget. You don’t have to be perfect. Small changes add up fast.
FAQ
How often am I billed and can I change it?
Bills are commonly issued every two months, though the utility is upgrading meters and customer tools that allow monthly billing. Contact CityLink to ask about billing frequency options for your account.
What exactly is the base charge on my bill?
The base charge (readiness‑to‑serve) is a fixed monthly fee that covers maintaining the meter and supply connection. It applies even if you use no water.
Why are rates listed in cubic feet and not gallons?
The utility measures water in cubic feet at the meter. Most customer portals show gallons to make it easier, and you can convert between the two if needed.
How can I quickly check for a leak?
Turn off all water, go to the meter, and watch the small dial or digital readout for movement. If it moves, you have a leak somewhere.
My bill spiked — what should I do first?
Do the meter test for leaks, check toilets for running, and review recent irrigation or guests. If nothing shows, call the utility to ask for an account review.
Can the utility waive fees or help with high bills?
The utility offers payment plans and has guidance for customers in hardship. They can’t usually waive fees, but they can spread payments over time and point you to local assistance programs.
Do smart meters help reduce my bill?
Yes. Smart meters provide faster leak detection and customer access to detailed usage data, which helps you find and fix waste sooner.
What is WaterSavvy and how does it help?
WaterSavvy is the smart meter program that gives customers better data and alerts. It makes it easier to spot leaks and understand your consumption patterns.
How much water does a running toilet waste?
A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons per day depending on the leak. Fixing it quickly is one of the highest-impact actions you can take.
Will switching to low‑flow fixtures feel like a downgrade?
Modern low‑flow showerheads and aerators are designed to keep pressure while reducing flow. Most people don’t notice a loss once installed.
Should I collect rainwater for the garden?
Yes, when allowed. Rain barrels are an easy way to water plants without tapping the city supply. Check local rules for restrictions before installing.
How can I estimate my bill before moving into a house?
Ask the seller or landlord for recent bills and look at meter size. Use typical household usage (showers, laundry, irrigation) and the rate structure to estimate monthly water + sewer costs.
What parts of an outdoor irrigation system cause the biggest bills?
Long run times, multiple daily cycles, or leaks in buried lines are the usual culprits. Switching to fewer cycles and checking the system for leaks typically cuts costs fast.
Is irrigation metered separately?
Not usually. If you rely heavily on irrigation, ask about separate irrigation meters or dedicated accounts — they exist in some situations and can affect billing.
How do seasonal changes affect my bill?
Summer lawn watering and longer showers can raise usage substantially. Compare bills to the same month last year to see seasonal patterns rather than month‑to‑month noise.
Can a neighbor’s water use affect my bill?
No — each property has its own meter. However, shared lines or faulty common meters in multi‑unit buildings can cause confusion; if you suspect this, ask the utility to investigate.
How do I read the leak indicator on my meter?
Many meters have a small triangular dial or digital indicator that spins with tiny flows. If it moves when everything is off, there’s a leak.
Why did my sewer charge change separately from water?
Sewer charges are often tied to water consumption but use a different rate. Changes in one part of the rate schedule or in stormwater policy can shift totals even if water use stays flat.
Are there rebates for high‑efficiency appliances?
Sometimes utilities or regional programs offer rebates. Contact the utility or local conservation groups to learn about current incentives.
What if my meter is wrong?
If you suspect a meter error, request a meter test from the utility. They can test accuracy and advise on next steps.
How do I sign up for usage alerts?
When the smart meter portal is available for your account, sign up to get alerts for abnormal usage or potential leaks. If you’re not yet enrolled, contact customer service for options.
Does the utility charge a deposit when I start service?
Yes, a deposit may be required based on credit and account history. The amount varies by account type and meter size.
What happens if I can’t pay my bill on time?
The utility offers payment arrangements and customer service can help you set up interest‑free installments to avoid disconnection. Contact CityLink as soon as you foresee trouble.
How do I compare my usage to similar homes?
Smart portals and benchmarking tools let you compare usage to similar homes. They’re handy for spotting outliers and for setting realistic targets.
Can I reduce my bill without changing daily habits?
Yes — fix leaks and install low‑flow devices. Those changes don’t require lifestyle sacrifices but still cut usage significantly.
Who should I call for more help with my bill?
Contact CityLink for account questions and payment options. If you need one‑on‑one help with assistance programs, local community agencies can sometimes provide direct aid for past‑due balances.