Delinquent Utility Accounts

When your water bill is past due

Cleveland County Water does not accept any payment arrangements.

What will occur if your bill becomes past due?
The bill is for services rendered and is due upon receipt. Accounts not paid by the due date reflected on the remittance portion of your statement will be assessed a late fee of 10% of the balance. A note will be on your bill stating a date that any past due must be paid by to avoid a disconnection of service.

Disconnection for nonpayment
Accounts that become delinquent will be assessed a $35 fee and interruption of water services. Customers must come to our office in Lawndale when service has been interrupted for nonpayment. Payment methods accepted for nonpayment are Cash or Money Order and Credit and Debit cards via Online and Telephone payments.

Reconnection of water services
Reconnection of services will not occur if running water is detected when the meter is turned on. Please make sure that all plumbing fixtures are turned off prior to reconnection. If our service technician detects running water, they will unlock the meter, but will leave it in the off position for you to turn on in order to avoid any potential flooding of property.

For faster methods of payment before your account becomes delinquent:

• Automated Payment line  1-888-648-1684
• Online and Mobile devices at www.clevelandcountywater.com
• Payment Locations: Cleveland County Water Office 439 Casar Lawndale Rd, Lawndale NC 28090

Cleveland County Water offers the ability to set up Bank Draft where customers can have payments withdrawn out of their checking or savings accounts automatically each month to avoid being delinquent and late fee penalties. There is no service fee involved with Bank Draft. Customers still receive a bill every month showing usage and amount that will be deducted from their account. Drafts will occur on or very close to the 9th day of every month.

Reconnection schedule
Weekdays:
Before 4 p.m. – Payments made before 4 p.m. will be connected the same day with no additional fee.
After 4 p.m. – Payment made after 4 p.m. up to 5 p.m. will incur an additional fee of $40 for same day reconnection. If the $40 fee is declined, services will be reconnected on the next business day.

Weekends and holidays: No reconnection will be done on weekends or holidays.

Same day reconnection – All payments must be made before 4 p.m. Payments after 4 p.m. services will be restored the following day.

Meter tampering incurs a fine
Customers are prohibited by law (North Carolina General Statute 14-151) from removing, tampering with, or bypassing the meter. Customers must also provide authorized company representatives access to the meter and the company’s other equipment. The meter must be kept free from obstructions, pets must be restrained, and obstacles must be removed that would prevent the utility worker from accessing or working with the meter. If a meter is found to be tampered with, a tampering fee (see Fee Schedule) will occur for each occurrence.

Return items (checks and credit cards)
Return items to your account will result in the assessment of a $30 return item fee. Reissuance of payment in secure funds will be due within due date of notification of letter in order to avoid interruption of services to your property. Cleveland County Water will attempt to notify their customers via letter. If a customer has 2 returned items within a twelve (12) month period, their account will be placed on a “Cash Only Status” where secure funds will be the only accepted method of payment for 1 full year. If a 3rd occurrence of a returned item is placed on the account, it will result in an “Indefinite Cash Only Status” for the life of the account.