Meters, Water Usage, Savings and Bill Adjustments Was my bill calculated using an actual or an estimated meter reading?

On rare occasions (less than 1 percent of the time), a meter reading used to calculate a monthly utility bill is an estimated reading. If your reading was estimated, it will be indicated on your bill with an "E" printed next to the meter reading.

Tiered billing is a method of billing that rewards customers for lower consumption. Rates are calculated using average consumption figures across the service area and customers are charged based on consumption, as they move from tier to tier.

Yes, it is quite possible. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that most leaks within homes go undetected.

Fixing a leak can be quick and easy, and often doesn’t cost much. For example, a leaky toilet flapper can cost less than $5 to fix, but can save more than 200 gallons per day. For more information about pinpointing and fixing household leaks, read the Fix-a-Leak information section. 

If you find and fix a leak, you may be eligible for a leak adjustment to your bill. Review the Leak Adjustment guidelines to determine if you may qualify, and how to submit a leak adjustment request to Customer Care and Billing.

Yes, under certain conditions water leak adjustments may be made for leaks that have been repaired or for exceptional unexplained increases in consumption that have been validated by a plumber and/or Public Utilities Meter Operations staff. A leak adjustment may occur only after a leak has been repaired and may require a verified meter read by the City of Raleigh's Public Utilities Department. Administrative fees will not be adjusted. Leak adjustments will cover no more than a two-month consecutive period. Only one financial adjustment associated to billed usage will be allowed each year per customer per premise.

Water leak adjustments must be requested by contacting the Utility Billing Division and be accompanied by a plumber's receipt or other proof of repair (as applicable).  An exceptional unexplained increase in usage must be verified. A determination will be made and a letter will be sent to the mailing address on file within the billing system stating approval or disapproval of the leak adjustment request and the details.

Contact Customer Care and Billing to determine if you qualify for a leak adjustment.

No adjustments will be granted where the following situations exist:

Usage above the customer's average monthly consumption is due to seasonal usage such as watering of sod, gardening, washing vehicles, etc.

Leak was caused by a third party from whom the customer is able to recover their costs, or it is covered by insurance.

Leak continues for three or more months.

Contact Customer Care and Billing to determine if you qualify for a leak adjustment.

No. The first four CCF's are billed at the Tier 1 rate and the fifth CCF is billed at the Tier 2 rate.

Utility Bill Explained

No. All consumption on irrigation meters is billed at Tier 3 rates.

The billing system automatically bills consumption at the proper tiers if there is additional consumption due to a bill cycle greater than 33 days.

The system will adjust the tiers and prorate the calculations accordingly.

Yes. The City of Raleigh is now offering Budget Billing to its customers. This plan allows customers to budget for their water bill in advance which helps to eliminate higher payments in peak usage seasons. You must have 12 months of continuous metered services at your residential home to be eligible for this program. There will be at least an annual review to check if usage has changed significantly, if so, your budgeted amount may be subject to change. Learn more about budget billing.