Pender County Utilities offers COVID-19 Hardship Payment Plan

BURGAW – Pender County Utilities (PCU) customers may take advantage of a COVID-19 Hardship Payment Plan. The plan provides an affordable schedule of payment for unpaid residential water bill balances accrued from March 31 through July 29, 2020.

“Some of our residential property owners have been adversely impacted by COVID-19,” said Kenny Keel, Pender County Utilities Director. “We are committed to doing the right thing for our customers and the communities we serve.”

Pender County Utilities implemented special crisis policies in mid-March. The department immediately suspended water disconnections, offered payment extensions, and waived late fees.

“We are carefully and thoughtfully transitioning back to standard operations by July 29,” said Keel. “We will work with customers on a one-on-one basis. If you are experiencing a financial hardship, we urge you to work with us now to make a payment plan while available.”

PCU’s goal is to do everything possible to support residential customers who are impacted by the pandemic.   Turning off water due to non-payment remains a last resort. Water service cut-offs will resume in mid-August for any account past-due which has not already set up a payment plan.

Under the Hardship Payment Plan, residential customers will be allowed to pay their outstanding balance from this period over a six-month period if they contact PCU to establish a payment plan.

Customers should call PCU’s Customer Service Desk at 910-259-1570 to set up payments.  The Hardship Payment Plan document is available online at pendercountync.gov/utl/.

“We understand these are difficult times and we know everyone’s situation is different,” said George Brown, Pender County Board of Commissioners Chairman. “We are committed to working closely with our customers to responsibly pay their water bill balance.

The hardship payment plan follows Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Orders 124 and 142.