Delinquency research · dataset 2026.08
Shut-off and delinquency information for Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA)
Only provider-specific public findings are stated as policy. A missing field is not replaced with a rule borrowed from another utility.
Provider-specific findings
Delinquency research for this provider
The notes below may document a rule or explain a specific public-information limit. Any active notice and direct provider confirmation remain controlling.
- Grace period
- Payment is due 25 days after CFPUA bills the account. If payment is not received by that due date, CFPUA applies the delinquency process; the customer has no additional universal grace period stated after the due date before the 5% late fee applies.
- Late-fee rules
- CFPUA applies a late fee equal to 5% of current CFPUA service charges when payment is not received by the due date. The current FY2027 fee schedule also lists a $25 returned-check or dishonored-bank-draft fee, $5 check-stop-payment fee, $60 delinquency fee, $60 meter/premise visit fee, and $1 printed-paper-bill fee. A card payment adds the separate $3 per up-to-$300 convenience fee.
- Shut-off timeline
- CFPUA bills monthly and sets payment due 25 days after billing. If the due date is missed, a 5% late fee is added; a delinquency letter is sent 14 days after the due date; and the account becomes eligible for disconnection 14 days after the delinquency letter. In the ordinary sequence, eligibility can therefore occur about 53 days after the billing date, subject to posting, weather, payment arrangements, assistance, disputes, and account-specific restrictions. Reconnection calls before 2:30 p.m. are scheduled the same day; later requests generally move to the next business day unless the after-hours fee is paid.
- Warning and notice protocol
- CFPUA sends a delinquency letter 14 days after the missed due date and does not make the account eligible for disconnection until 14 days after that letter. The current materials do not promise a universal colored notice, text keyword, automated-call sequence, or door hanger, but customers can request a short-term extension, interest-free payment plan, financial assistance, or billing appeal before disconnection. Third-party payment delays do not stop the process until CFPUA receives and posts the funds.
- Reconnection costs
- The FY2027 fee schedule lists a $60 reconnection fee after disconnection, a $60 late-day reconnection fee for same-day service requested after 2:30 p.m., and a $120 emergency reconnection fee. After paying the delinquent balance and fees, customers call 910-332-6550; requests taken before 2:30 p.m. are scheduled the same day, while later normal requests are scheduled the next business day unless the late-day or emergency option applies. A deposit may also be required after repeated disconnections.
Documentation context
5 of 5 fields found
This is a record-completeness measure, not a customer-protection grade.
North Carolina
27%
records with any shut-off detail
National
34%
records with any shut-off detail
Research record
Broad public detail found
5 of 5 fields in this section contain provider-specific public detail in dataset August 1, 2026.
Documented
100%
Primary verification routes
- Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) public website ↗
Provider-controlled destination used to confirm current customer instructions.
- EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System ↗
Federal background on public water-system records and their limitations.