Public Water Authority
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA)
Serving Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, and much of New Hanover County
Population served
Approximately 200,000 people served each day across the CFPUA community and more than 82,000 homes and businesses
State system code
FIPS 37
Billing frequency
Monthly, generally every 27–35 days. The bill's due date is 25 days after the account is billed, and weekends, holidays, and severe weather can shift the actual schedule and posting date.
Provider briefing
How this utility’s billing works
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) operates as a public water authority serving Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, and much of New Hanover County. Customers should use the provider’s current account-specific bill and official customer-service instructions as the final authority for deadlines, balances, and service requests.
The published water-rate framework is described as Monthly fixed base charge by meter size plus a uniform residential volumetric water charge per thousand gallons, with separate irrigation, fire-line, bulk, wholesale, and larger-meter schedules. FY2027 rates effective July 1, 2026 are $20.17 monthly for a 5/8-inch meter and $5.95 per 1,000 gallons for a single-family domestic meter. Separately metered irrigation is $8.92 per 1,000 gallons and is not assessed corresponding sewer consumption charges.. Bills are generated monthly, generally every 27–35 days. the bill's due date is 25 days after the account is billed, and weekends, holidays, and severe weather can shift the actual schedule and posting date., and a typical residential cost reference is Using the FY2027 5/8-inch single-family schedule, 5,000 gallons is approximately $49.92 for water ($20.17 base plus $29.75 consumption) and $46.97 for sewer ($18.12 sewer base plus $28.85 consumption), for an indicative combined CFPUA water/sewer total of $96.89 before a $1 paper-bill fee, City of Wilmington stormwater or solid-waste charges, grinder-pump charges, or other fees. At 7,000 gallons, the same calculation is approximately $61.82 water plus $58.51 sewer, or $120.33 combined. Sewer consumption is capped at 15,000 gallons per monthly residential billing period.. These descriptions are useful planning benchmarks; actual charges can change with meter size, usage, sewer averaging, local taxes, drought stages, or account-specific fees.
Wastewater and sewer calculation
CFPUA sewer usage is based on the water meter reading and is billed monthly as a fixed sewer base plus $5.77 per 1,000 gallons under the FY2027 residential schedule. Single-family residential sewer consumption is capped at 15,000 gallons per monthly billing. A customer receiving sewer only is billed a $41.78 residential flat sewer charge based on the 5/8-inch sewer base plus assumed average residential consumption. Separately metered irrigation is excluded from corresponding sewer consumption, and CFPUA's leak policy can credit sewer charges when leaked water did not enter the system.
Meter and infrastructure notes
CFPUA staff reads water meters monthly and the bill displays the reading date, current reading, prior reading, and monthly consumption in thousands of gallons. Customers can view a five-month usage graph through the online account. The reviewed current FY2027 pages identify monthly staff meter reading but do not identify one universal AMI vendor, radio network, or hourly customer-data interval; individual meter technology may therefore vary by installation and service area.
Emergency water support
Report a leak or water emergency
910-332-6565, CFPUA's day-or-night water and sewer emergency line for major leaks, sewer spills, pump-station alarms, and situations endangering life, public health, or property. General billing and account service uses 910-332-6550; water conservation questions use 910-332-6566.
Official starting point
Choose the right next step
Reading this profile
A practical reference for Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, and much of New Hanover County
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) is listed here as a public water authority. The profile separates account actions—such as paying a bill or requesting service—from explanatory material about rates, meters, wastewater, leaks, and delinquency.
Because utility rules can vary by account class, meter size, service address, billing date, and local ordinance, treat the published bill and current provider website as the final authority. Use this profile to locate the correct channel and prepare better questions for customer service.
If your issue is urgent, start with the provider’s emergency number or official payment route rather than waiting for an email response. Keep a written record of calls, confirmation numbers, notice dates, and documents you submit.