FAQ's - Utility Service Cut Off for Non-Payment

Listed below are most common questions and answers about the process of disconnection for non-payment and the reconnection process.

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FAQ's
Why does the date for cutoff change each month?

Deadline for payment is the 12th of the month before 5:00pm. 

As a courtesy to customers, when the 12th falls at the end of a week, on a weekend, or on a holiday we extend the deadline so customers will not be without water during a weekend or holiday.

A chart with dates is provided on the back of each bill and automated information is available each month via an option on our telephone system.

 It is safest to always pay before 5:00pm on the 12th.

If I do not have the money to pay my bill, can I get an extension of time or make a partial payment to avoid disconnection of service?

No, a bill becomes delinquent (late) on the 5th of the month following the bill date.

The account goes into cutoff status on the 12th of the subsequent month (45+ days after the bill date).  Because the customer has at least 2 bills outstanding when the account goes into cutoff status, no extensions or payment arrangements are allowed.

If I am assessed a fee, can the fee be waived or reversed?

No, fees will not be waived or reversed unless assessed in error by SGWASA.

Why was my service disconnected?

Your service was disconnected due to non-payment of all or part of a previous bill that has been delinquent (late) for at least 30 days.  You normally receive a subsequent bill showing a past due balance.

I mailed my payment before the deadline, but you did not receive the payment in time. Why do I have to pay the fee since it was not my fault?

You are responsible for getting the payment to our office on time by the due date.  We cannot control or anticipate mailing delays.  We offer direct draft, online payment, and payment at our office.  If the cutoff deadline is soon, we do not recommend mailing the payment.  Additionally, we do not reverse the late fee or cutoff fee due to USPS delays.

Your best solution to avoid this situation, and late fees, is to set up direct draft from your checking account. Thus, a payment can be made automatically each month without interruption.   

My service was disconnected but I never received a bill in the mail. How is this fair?

Not receiving a bill or mail is not justification for non-payment.

When you established service with SGWASA, we provided a copy of your Application with instructions on the back about when and how you will be billed.  If you do not receive a bill in the mail, it is your responsibility to call us to let us know.  We will verify you billing address via the USPS website and check to see if the mail was returned to us for some reason.  If not, you should check with your local post office.  When you contact us, we can provide a duplicate bill and inform you of any amounts due.

Your best solution to avoid this situation, and late fees, is to set up direct draft from your checking account. Thus, a payment can be made automatically each month without interruption.   

Why is there a “Non-Payment Fee for Delinquent Accounts" fee assessed?

The purpose of this fee is to offset the costs of special handling of delinquent accounts, which may include but is not limited to, the disconnection and reconnection of service due to nonpayment of the customer's bill. This charge applies to all accounts scheduled for disconnection for nonpayment and is applicable on or after the specified non-payment date, regardless of whether service was disconnected or not.  

Bills are due upon receipt of the bill and generally are deemed to be in non-payment status and eligible for disconnection on the 12th day of the month following the month in which the bill became delinquent.  

If the 12th falls on a weekend or holiday, the bill becomes delinquent the next business day.  Bills are deemed to be in non-payment status at 5:00pm on non-payment date (not 12:00 midnight).  Non-payment dates are printed on the back of each SGWASA bill and included on the SGWASA website.  A Non-Payment Fee will be applied to the customer's account when the account is deemed to be in non-payment status.   

Reconnection resulting from disconnection due to nonpayment will be made within 24 hours of receipt of full payment of the balance due plus the delinquency charge and applicable security deposit.  

Non-Payment Fee:  $75.00 per event, during SGWASA’s normal business hours.

I paid overnight before my water was turned off. Why do I still have to pay the fee?

After 5:00pm, the fee becomes part of the payment required to be paid to avoid service interruption.

Your best solution to avoid this situation, and late fees, is to pay your bill on time. 

Why can’t you call your crew and tell them not to turn me off when I pay?

Unfortunately, our cut off's range between 150-200 customers per monthly event. We are working on ways to improve our mobile workforce technologies to minimize unnecessary cut off's after a customer pays. 

You can help us lower this number by paying your bill on time.  

I paid the required balance, when will my water be turned back on?

Unfortunately, there is no way we can provide a specific time or window of time when your service will be restored.  It depends on numerous variables such as how many customers were on the cutoff list, how spread out the addresses are, the timing of your payment, and primarily how quickly the disconnection process is completed.

Payments received by 3:00pm on cutoff day will be reconnected the same day. 

Payments received after 3:00pm on cutoff day will be reconnected the next business day.  

Please do not call our office repeatedly asking when you will be turned back on.

I paid before 3:00pm but my service was not restored. Who should I call?

After hours, you can call the on-call telephone number 919-690-0444 or 919-690-0445.  You will be routed to the non-emergency 911 dispatcher who will pass along your message to our on-call staff.  The on-call staff will have a control list of customers who paid and were approved for reconnection and should return your call soon. 

Please note:  If the administrative office has not verified payment or approved you for reconnection on the list, the on-call staff cannot reconnect your water overnight.

I could not pay before 3:00pm, but I paid later. Who should I call?

Call our admin office at 919-575-3367 the following morning to ensure we received sufficient payment to turn your water back on.  We will initiate reconnection.

I paid after 3:00pm, will my services be restored overnight?

No, your service will not be restored until the following day during normal business hours (8:30am-4:30pm). 

Please do not contact our emergency numbers because they cannot reconnect service.

Where is SGWASA located? How can I reach you?

SGWASA’s offices are in the same building as Butner Town Hall in Butner, NC.

South Granville Water & Sewer Authority (SGWASA)

415 Central Avenue, Suite B

Butner, NC 27509

Phone (919) 575-3367 

Fax (919) 575- 4547

Hours: (M-F) 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.