Notice and timing
How delinquency is handled
Grace period after the due date
Charlotte City Code and the current revenue methodology describe a six-day post-due-date period before the late-payment charge is assessed. The account becomes delinquent according to the billing date and due date shown on the bill; customers should initiate electronic payments at least four business days ahead because payment receipt, not the instruction date, determines timeliness.
Late-fee calculation
Charlotte’s revenue methodology states that a late charge is assessed on unpaid water, sewer, and stormwater balances when payment has not been received within six days after the due date; the current percentage is described as 1.5% under City Code Section 23-5 and is added to the next water-services bill. The City may also assess a delinquency-notification fee calculated to recover the cost of the notice, a returned-check fee under North Carolina law, and the published $32 disconnection/reconnection field fee. KUBRA convenience fees are separate from delinquency charges.
Disconnection timeline
The City Code progression is: the account is delinquent after the billing-period rule, a 1.5% late charge is added after the six-day post-due-date period, and a delinquent notice is enclosed with the next bill when an unpaid balance remains. If the customer does not contact the Revenue Division about a disputed bill and does not pay within 10 days from the most recent billing date after notice of intent to terminate, water service may be cut off. Current Charlotte Water pages also state that customers typically receive a notice on the bill and a telephone call before disconnection. A $32 disconnection fee and $32 reconnection fee apply under the current rate schedule, with any additional account charges required before restoration.