Gastonia-Scurry Special Utility District offers a wide variety of convenient payment options for our customers. Simply choose the option that best suits your needs.
Are you tired of figuring out how to pay your Gastonia utility bills each month? I’ve been there too! After moving to Gastonia last year I spent way too much time trying to understand all the different payment methods. That’s why I decided to create this comprehensive guide to help fellow residents navigate the sometimes confusing world of utility payments in our city.
What Payment Options Does Gastonia Offer?
The City of Gastonia and Two Rivers Utilities provide several convenient ways to pay your monthly utility bill. I’ve tried most of these methods myself and I’ll share the pros and cons of each option based on my personal experience.
No-Cost Payment Options
Let’s start with the good news – there are several ways to pay your Gastonia utilities bill without any extra fees!
Automatic Bank Draft
This is honestly my favorite method because it’s completely hassle-free. Here’s how it works:
- The city automatically withdraws your payment from your checking account
- You still receive a monthly bill showing your charges
- The draft typically occurs 14 days after your bill date
- No more writing checks, buying stamps, or worrying about late fees
- Zero convenience fees!
To sign up for automatic bank draft you can enroll online through the City of Gastonia website. The form is submitted securely to Utility Customer Service. I switched to this method six months ago and haven’t had to think about my utility bill since!
Payment by Mail
If you’re old-school like my dad, you might prefer mailing in your payment. Each monthly bill comes with a blue window envelope specifically for this purpose.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Tear off the lower bill stub portion
- Make sure the return address shows through the envelope window
- Include your account number on your check or money order
Lost your envelope? No problem! Just mail your payment to:
City of GastoniaPO Box 580068Charlotte NC 28258-006824-Hour Dropbox Locations
Sometimes you might need to drop off a payment after business hours. Gastonia offers 24-hour payment drop boxes at:
- Behind the Garland Business Center on York Street
- Outside Cramerton Town Hall
Important notes for dropbox payments:
- Use check or money order only (no cash!)
- Include the payment remittance portion of your bill
- Make sure your name, address and account number are noted
- Be aware of cut-off times posted at each location for same-day processing
I’ve used the dropbox near Garland Business Center a couple times when I was running late, and it was super convenient!
Cash Payment Kiosks
Prefer to pay in cash? Gastonia has five Automated Bill Payment Centers (Kiosks) that function similar to bank ATMs.
Kiosk locations:
- Food Lion – 2601 S. New Hope Rd (Open 7:00 am until 11:00 pm)
- Food Lion – 1024 W. Hudson Blvd (Open 7:00 am until 10:00 pm)
- Food Lion – 111 W. Garrison Blvd (Open 7:00 am until 10:00 pm)
- WOW Supermarket – 2557 W. Franklin Blvd (Open 8:00 am until 9:00 pm)
- Garland Business Center – 150 S York St. (outside)
Just remember – you’ll need your 8-digit City of Gastonia account number and address information to make a payment at these kiosks. Also, payments made after 5:00 pm, on weekends, or holidays will be posted the next business day.
Other Payment Options (With Fees)
While the methods above are free, the following options charge convenience fees:
Pay By Phone
This is perfect when you’re traveling or away from home. Just call 1-888-484-9465 to pay using:
- MasterCard
- VISA
- Discover
- Electronic check
You’ll need your account number and billing zip code handy. Remember that payments made after 5:00 pm, on weekends or holidays post on the next business day.
Important fee update: Starting July 1, 2024, convenience fees are changing to $2.95 for each $400 increment. So if your bill is $399, the fee is $2.95. If it’s $401, the fee becomes $5.90. I found this out the hard way last month!
Pay Online
This is my backup method when I forget to mail my payment. You can pay 24/7 at www.gastonianc.gov using:
- Debit card
- Credit card
- Bank account
Just like phone payments, online transactions after 5:00 pm, weekends or holidays post the next business day, and the same fee structure applies – $2.95 per $400 increment as of July 1, 2024.
Debit/Credit/E-check at Kiosks
The five payment kiosks mentioned earlier also accept debit cards, credit cards and electronic checks. You’ll need your account number and address info, and the same convenience fee of $2.95 per $400 increment applies.
In-Person Payments
If you prefer face-to-face transactions, you can pay at:
- Ace Cash Express – 2597 W. Franklin Blvd
There’s a $1.00 convenience fee for this option, which is cheaper than the other fee-based methods if your bill is under $400. Just remember the same rules about payments after hours being processed the next business day.
My Personal Experience with Gastonia Utilities Bill Pay
When I first moved to Gastonia, I was paying online every month because that’s what I was used to in my previous city. I was shocked when I realized I was paying nearly $3 extra each time! After a few months, I switched to automatic bank draft and have been much happier.
However, there was one time when I had an unusually high bill due to a water leak. I wanted to check my balance before the draft hit my account, so I used the Customer Self Service (CSS) online portal. It was actually pretty easy to use and showed me exactly how much would be withdrawn and when.
Common Questions About Gastonia Utilities Bill Pay
What services are included in my Gastonia utilities bill?
Depending on where you live in Gastonia, your bill might include:
- Electric
- Water
- Sewer
- Stormwater fees
- Garbage collection
What if I can’t pay my full bill?
If you’re having trouble paying your bill, I’d recommend calling Utility Customer Service at 704-866-6714 before your due date. In my experience, they’re willing to work with you on payment arrangements, especially if you’ve been a good customer in the past.
How can I reduce my utility bills?
The City of Gastonia offers several programs to help lower your bills:
- Budget Billing – This averages your bills throughout the year so you pay the same amount each month
- Water & Sewer Rebate Program – Offers rebates for water-efficient appliances
- TRU+E Alerts – Sign up for notifications about your usage or potential leaks
What if I have a water leak?
If you discover a water leak that caused a high bill, you can request a leak adjustment. There’s a specific form for this on the city website. My neighbor had a toilet that was constantly running, and she was able to get a partial adjustment after fixing the problem.
Tips for Efficient Bill Management
Based on my experience with Gastonia utilities, here are some tips that might help you:
-
Sign up for paperless billing – Get your bill by email instead of snail mail
-
Enroll in automatic bank draft – Never worry about late payments again
-
Use the CSS portal – Check your usage patterns to identify ways to save
-
Pay attention to due dates – They can vary slightly from month to month
-
Keep your account number handy – You’ll need it for most payment methods
Making the Right Choice for Your Situation
Everyone’s circumstances are different, so the best payment method depends on your preferences:
| If You… | Best Payment Option |
|---|---|
| Want the simplest solution | Automatic Bank Draft |
| Prefer to pay in cash | Payment Kiosk |
| Like to pay bills all at once | Online or By Phone |
| Want to avoid all fees | Mail, Dropbox, or Bank Draft |
| Need a receipt | In-Person at Ace Cash Express |
Final Thoughts
Paying your Gastonia utilities bill doesn’t have to be complicated. With so many options available, you can choose what works best for your lifestyle and budget. I personally recommend automatic bank draft for hassle-free payments, but any of these methods will get the job done.
If you have questions about your bill or payment options, don’t hesitate to contact Gastonia Utility Customer Service at 704-866-6714. They’re generally helpful and can provide guidance specific to your account.
Have you found another convenient way to pay your Gastonia utilities bill? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Remember, staying on top of your utility payments helps avoid late fees and disconnection. Choose the method that works best for you and set reminders if needed. With this guide, you’ll never be confused about how to pay your Gastonia utility bill again!
Online Account and Bill Payment
If paying Online just click the green “View My Account or Pay My Bill ” button. Have your account number handy and follow the prompts to setup an account or log in to an existing account. Dont want an account? No problem. Just click the green “View My Account or Pay My Bill” button and select “Quick Pay” at the log in screen.
Once your account is setup, you can customize your invoice delivery method (E-Mail is preferred), setup automatic payments on your credit card, see your acount history and manage your profile.
If paying by check or money order through the mail, please send all payments with your payment coupon. To avoid late fees, please mail your payment at least five to seven business days before the due date specified on your bill.
The worry-free way to pay your water bill. With this service, the amount of your monthly bill is automatically deducted from your bank account and credited to your utility account. There is no set-up fee or charge associated with this method of payment. To set up Automated Bank Draft, simply download and fill out the ACH Recurring Debit Form (if available) located in the Forms & Reports Section and drop it off or mail it to our office, along with a voided check.
You may pay your bill in person at our office address. We accept cash, check, or money orders. To avoid longer wait times, please note that Mondays, Fridays and the first day after a holiday are normally very busy.
