Economic Development
Utilities and Infrastructure
Water and Sewer System
The City of Gastonia operates its own Water and Sewer Utility, consisting of two wastewater treatment plants, one water treatment plant, 485 miles of sewer lines, 20 sewer pump stations, 645 miles of water lines, 2 raw water pump stations, 2 booster pump station, 3 elevated tanks, and associated water and sewer appurtenances. The utility services approximately 80,000 residents of Gastonia, Cramerton, Ranlo, McAdenville, Lowell, Kings Mountain, Bessemer City, and Clover, S.C. with water, sewer or both.
The Gastonia Utilities Department is a nationally recognized leader in the field of providing utilities services to its customers. The Wastewater Treatment Division was the second municipally owned wastewater treatment plant in the US and the first in North Carolina to achieve third party certification to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. The Long Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant was the first municipal facility in the State of North Carolina to be designated as an Environmental Steward. The Water Treatment Division has met the requirements of the Area Wide Optimization Program and received recognition for meeting the lower level turbidity requirements of less than or equal to 0.1 NTUs (represents the clairty of the water) in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
Our Mission
We continually strive toward excellence in the delivery of municipal services to our citizens and customers in the areas of Water Distribution and Treatment, Wastewater Collection and Treatment, and other Utility Programs.
Water and Sewer Service Needs
The City can meet all of your water and sewer needs from residential household service to commercial and industrial. The City has excess capacity at each of its three plants and would be happy to provide water and sewer to meet your needs and to help your business grow.
Plant |
Capacity |
Average Daily |
Excess Capacity |
Water Treatment Plant |
27.3 |
13.5 |
13.8 |
Crowders Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant |
6 |
2.3 |
3.7 |
Long Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant |
16 |
6.5 |
9.5 |
Industrial Customers
The Wastewater Treatment Division operates a Pretreatment Program according to EPA and NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources guidelines. This program is designed to protect the collection system, the treatment plants, the employees, and the waters where the plants discharge the effluent. To find out if the discharge from your industry falls within the pretreatment program regulations, please contact David Shellenbarger at 704-842-5106 or Email: Utilities
Commercial Customers
The City of Gastonia operates its collection system within the guidelines of a Collection System permit (permit #: WQCS00017) issued by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This permit requires the City to operate a Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) program. As part of this program, the City provides educational information for all of its customers. The City also inspects and permits commercial kitchens. For more information on the FOG program, please contact Stephanie Scheringer at 704-854-6669 or Email: Utilities
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