Operating Permits and Fees
Please see updated fee schedule below implemented July 1, 2025.
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Overview
General Statute 130A-328 requires that all community and non-transient non-community water systems have a permit to operate. This permit is valid from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 each year. A community water system is defined as a public water system that serves 15 or more service connections or regularly serves 25 or more year-round residents. A non-transient non-community system is a public water system that is not a community water system and that regularly serves at least 25 of the same persons over six months per year.
An invoice with renewal application is mailed and/or emailed to the water system owner in September of each year. The completed application with check or money order payable to the Department of Environmental Quality is due on or before early November (please see the invoice). Mail payment and completed application to Operating Permits and Fee Collection, Public Water Supply Section, 1634 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1634 or pay using the online portal.
If payment is not received by Dec. 31, an administrative penalty letter is mailed to the water system notifying the owner that the permit fee is due along with an additional penalty amount (the penalty amount is one half of the fee plus $10.00 per day until paid).
Water systems having unpaid penalties are referred to the Attorney General's Office for collection. See 15A NCAC 18C .2101, .2102, .2103, .2104, and .2105 for specific regulatory requirements. If payment is not received by Jan. 31, an additional administrative fee of $150.00 is due.
The following fees are required for the issuance or renewal of a permit to operate a community water system. The fees are based on the number of persons served by the system.
| System Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non transient non-community | $201 |
| Community Water Systems (Number of Persons Served) | |
| 50 or fewer | $338 |
| More than 50 but no more than 100 | $359 |
| More than 100 but no more than 200 | $433 |
| More than 200 but no more than 300 | $454 |
| More than 300 but no more than 400 | $507 |
| More than 400 but no more than 500 | $549 |
| More than 500 but no more than 750 | $1,024 |
| More than 750 but no more than 1,000 | $1,067 |
| More than 1,000 but no more than 2,000 | $1,109 |
| More than 2,000 but no more than 3,000 | $1,151 |
| More than 3,000 but no more than 4,000 | $1,785 |
| More than 4,000 but no more than 5,000 | $1,932 |
| More than 5,000 but no more than 7,500 | $2,545 |
| More than 7,500 but no more than 10,000 | $2,724 |
| More than 10,000 but no more than 25,000 | $3,432 |
| More than 25,000 but no more than 50,000 | $3,865 |
| More than 50,000 but no more than 75,000 | $5,607 |
| More than 75,000 but no more than 100,000 | $6,167 |
| More than 100,000 but no more than 250,000 | $6,737 |
| More than 250,000 but no more than 500,000 | $7,297 |
| More than 500,000 | $7,857 |
If you have questions or need additional information regarding operating permits or the permit fees, please contact watersystempermits@deq.nc.gov or call 919-707-9100.