2026 Elizabethtown NC Utilities Guide: Water, Electric, Trash, and How to Set Up Service

2026 Elizabethtown NC Utilities Guide: Water, Electric, Trash, and How to Set Up Service

Moving to Elizabethtown or just trying to get a handle on your utility bills? This guide covers every major utility service in Elizabethtown, Bladen County, NC — water, sewer, electric, trash and recycling collection, and bill payment options. Services differ depending on whether your address falls inside town limits or in the surrounding county area, so we flag those distinctions throughout.

Last checked: July 8, 2026. Utility rates, policies, and contact details change. Always confirm with the official provider before starting service or making a payment decision.

Quick Answer: Who Handles What in Elizabethtown NC?

Service	Provider	Phone	Notes
Water & Sewer	Town of Elizabethtown Utility Department	(910) 862-3979	Inside town limits only
Trash & Recycling	Town of Elizabethtown Public Works	(910) 862-2035	Inside town limits; Schedule A or B
Electric (co-op area)	Four County Electric Membership Corporation	(888) 368-7289	Verify by address
Electric (Duke area)	Duke Energy Progress	(800) 452-2777	Verify by address
County Disposal Sites	Bladen County Solid Waste	(910) 645-4279	1522 Mercer Mill Rd Ext
Town Hall (utility billing)	Town of Elizabethtown	(910) 862-2066	805 W. Broad St, PO Box 700

ZIP code: 28337. County: Bladen.

Water & Sewer Service — Town of Elizabethtown Utility Department

The Town of Elizabethtown operates the municipal water and sewer system. If you live inside town limits, your water and wastewater service comes from the town, not from a private company or the county. The Utility Department handles new connections, billing, meter readings, and service terminations.

Service Area

The town's water and sewer network serves properties within Elizabethtown's municipal boundaries. If your address is in an unincorporated part of Bladen County — even one with an Elizabethtown mailing address — you may be on a well and septic system or served by a different arrangement. The only way to know for sure is to call the Utility Department at (910) 862-3979 with your exact street address. If you need Elizabethtown sewer service or Elizabethtown water bill details, the Utility Department is your first point of contact.

Starting Water & Sewer Service

New residents need to set up utilities in Elizabethtown before moving in. Here is the process based on information from the town's website:

1. Call the Utility Department at (910) 862-3979 or visit Town Hall in person at 805 W. Broad Street.
2. Complete an application with proof of residence. Renters must provide a rental agreement or landlord contact information.
3. Pay the required deposit (see below).
4. Schedule the turn-on — the town will let you know the lead time when you call.

The town's office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Deposit Requirements

The Town of Elizabethtown requires a deposit before activating water and sewer service. The Elizabethtown NC water deposit amounts as of 2026 are based on account type:

• Residential: $200
• Commercial: $400
• Industrial: $1,350

Deposits may be refunded or credited after a period of on-time payments. Contact the Utility Department to ask about the refund policy for your specific account type.

Billing Cycle

Water and sewer bills are issued monthly. The town reads meters on a regular cycle, and you will receive a bill covering both water usage and sewer charges on a single statement.

Water Bill Due Dates, Late Fees, and Reconnection

The Town of Elizabethtown enforces a strict payment schedule:

• Due date: The 5th of each month.
• Late fee: $30 if payment is not received by 5:00 PM on the due date.
• Termination notice: If the bill remains unpaid by the 19th, service is scheduled for disconnection.
• Reconnect fee: $100 to restore service after disconnection.
• After-hours reconnect: An additional $125 on top of the standard reconnect fee.

Paying a few days early each month can save you from the late fee — especially around holidays when mail delivery may be slower.

Trash & Recycling Collection

The Town of Elizabethtown Public Works Department handles residential trash and recycling collection for properties inside town limits. The department publishes annual collection schedules that divide the town into two routes.

2025 Collection Schedules

The town uses Schedule A and Schedule B for trash and recycling pickup. Your schedule letter depends on your street address. The Public Works Department at (910) 862-2035 can tell you which schedule applies to your property. For Elizabethtown NC trash pickup or Elizabethtown NC garbage collection questions, contact Public Works directly.

Both schedules follow a consistent weekly pattern:

• Trash pickup: Weekly on your designated collection day.
• Recycling pickup: Every other week on the same day as trash.
• Recycling week designation: The town designates collection weeks as "Wednesday Recycling Week" and "Wednesday Non-Recycling Week" on the printed schedule — your recycling pickup happens every other Wednesday, and the schedule tells you which Wednesdays are recycling weeks.

Holiday Schedule

Collection is suspended on certain holidays. When a holiday falls on your regular pickup day, service is typically delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. The Public Works Department posts the annual holiday schedule on the town's website and at Town Hall.

County Disposal Sites (Bladen County Solid Waste)

If you live outside Elizabethtown town limits, you are not covered by the town's collection service. Bladen County operates solid waste disposal sites for county residents. The main facility is located at 1522 Mercer Mill Road Ext, Elizabethtown, NC 28337. Contact Bladen County Solid Waste at (910) 645-4279 for hours, accepted materials, and any permit requirements. County residents rely on Bladen County utilities services like these for waste disposal.

Electric Service — Four County Electric & Duke Energy

Elizabethtown does not have a single electric provider. Which company serves your home depends on your exact address. Two utilities serve the Elizabethtown area.

Four County Electric Membership Corporation

Four County Electric is a member-owned electric cooperative serving much of Bladen County and surrounding areas. It is the most common provider for properties both inside and just outside Elizabethtown town limits. If you are searching for Four County Electric Elizabethtown NC contact information, here it is:

• Elizabethtown office: 2668 NC-242 South, Elizabethtown, NC 28337
• Customer service: (888) 368-7289 (toll-free) or (910) 862-3551
• Website: fourcty.org
• Outage reporting: Call the customer service number — the co-op has 24-hour outage reporting.
• Start/stop service: Contact Four County Electric directly to set up a new account or transfer existing service to a new address. You will need the service address, your identification, and possibly a deposit (deposit amounts vary — ask when you call).

As a member-owned cooperative, Four County Electric is governed by its members, who elect a board of directors. Members may receive capital credits (patronage refunds) in years when the co-op's revenues exceed expenses.

Duke Energy Progress

Duke Energy Progress also serves parts of the Elizabethtown area, particularly properties that are on the edge of or outside the Four County Electric service territory. Duke Energy is an investor-owned utility serving much of eastern North Carolina. If you are looking for Duke Energy Elizabethtown NC contact details:

• Customer service: (800) 452-2777
• Website: duke-energy.com
• Outage reporting: Report online through the Duke Energy website or by calling the customer service number.
• Start/stop service: Duke Energy allows new customers to set up an account online or by phone. You will need your address, move-in date, and identification.

How to Find Your Electric Provider

If you are buying or renting a home in Elizabethtown and do not know which Elizabethtown NC electric company serves the property, here are three ways to check:

1. Call the seller or landlord — they already pay the bill and can tell you.
2. Visit each provider's website — both Four County Electric and Duke Energy have address lookup tools.
3. Call the Town of Elizabethtown — the utility department may know which provider serves a given street.

Important: Do not assume that because your neighbor across the street has Four County Electric, you will too. The service territory boundary can run down the middle of a road.

Online Bill Pay & Payment Options

The Town of Elizabethtown offers several ways to pay your water and sewer bill. For Elizabethtown utility bill pay, here are your options:

Online

You can pay utility bills through the "Pay Utility Bill" link on the town's website at elizabethtownnc.org. The online portal is a third-party service, so the specific URL and accepted payment methods (credit card, debit card, e-check) may change over time. Log in to the portal from the town website to see current options and any convenience fees.

By Mail

Send your payment to:

Town of Elizabethtown
PO Box 700
Elizabethtown, NC 28337

Allow at least 5 to 7 business days for mailed payments to arrive. If the due date is approaching, consider using online payment or the night depository instead.

In Person

Visit Town Hall at 805 W. Broad Street, Elizabethtown, NC 28337 during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM). You can pay by cash, check, or money order at the utility billing counter.

Night Depository

Town Hall has a night depository box for after-hours payments. You can drop off a check or money order in the secure drop box. Cash payments should not be placed in the night depository.

Bank Draft (Automatic Withdrawal)

The town offers automatic bank draft enrollment. Once enrolled, your water and sewer bill is automatically deducted from your checking or savings account on the due date. You will still receive a bill showing the amount and payment date for your records. The bank draft application form is available on the town's website or at Town Hall.

Gas Service

Natural gas availability in Elizabethtown depends entirely on your specific address. A dominant natural gas provider for Elizabethtown has not been confirmed from official sources at this time. Some homes and businesses in Bladen County use propane delivered by private suppliers rather than piped natural gas.

If natural gas service is important to you — for heating, cooking, or water heating — research your options before signing a lease or closing on a home. Ask the current property owner or agent which fuel sources serve the house. Local propane suppliers in Bladen County can provide quotes for tank installation and delivery.

Internet, TV & Phone

Private telecommunications providers serve the Elizabethtown area. Options typically include cable, DSL, fiber, and satellite providers, but availability varies by street. Because internet provider availability changes frequently and differs by address, we cover this in a dedicated guide:

See the full guide: Elizabethtown NC Internet Providers

For TV and phone service, bundle options are often available from the same providers. Check availability at your specific address before choosing a plan.

Utility Assistance Programs

If you are struggling to pay your utility bills, several assistance programs may help with Elizabethtown NC utility assistance:

LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered through Bladen County that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling costs. The program typically opens for applications in December (for heating assistance) and again in the summer (for cooling assistance). Eligibility is based on household income relative to the federal poverty level. Contact the Bladen County Department of Social Services to learn about current application windows and required documentation.

Four County Electric Payment Assistance

Four County Electric participates in assistance programs for members facing financial hardship. They also offer levelized billing (budget billing) that spreads annual energy costs across twelve equal payments, which can help avoid seasonal spikes. Call Four County Electric at (888) 368-7289 to ask about available programs.

Duke Energy Assistance Programs

Duke Energy Progress offers payment assistance and flexible payment arrangements for customers experiencing temporary hardship. Options may include payment extensions, installment plans, and energy assistance referrals. Call Duke Energy at (800) 452-2777 or visit their website to discuss your situation.

Bladen County DSS Emergency Assistance

The Bladen County Department of Social Services provides emergency assistance for households in crisis situations, which may include help with utility bills. Contact Bladen County DSS directly to discuss eligibility and the application process.

Town Limits & Address Verification Warning

This is the most important section of this guide.

Utility services in Elizabethtown are not the same for every address in the 28337 ZIP code. Here is why:

• Water and sewer are provided by the Town of Elizabethtown only for properties inside town limits. Outside town limits, you may be on a private well and septic system.
• Trash and recycling collection is a town service for residents inside municipal boundaries. County residents must use Bladen County Solid Waste disposal sites or arrange private haulers.
• Electric service is split between Four County Electric Membership Corporation and Duke Energy Progress, with no clear street-by-street map available from a single source.
• Gas service availability is unconfirmed for much of the area; some properties use propane.
• Internet provider options vary significantly by street.

Always verify by exact street address before assuming which provider serves a property. Call the utility directly with your full address, including the street number, and ask them to check their service records. Do not rely on what a neighbor, real estate listing, or general ZIP code search tells you.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Utilities for a New Elizabethtown Home

Here is the order we recommend for new residents. Follow these steps to set up utilities Elizabethtown NC without missing anything:

1. Set Up Water and Sewer (If Inside Town Limits)

Call the Town of Elizabethtown Utility Department at (910) 862-3979 at least one to two weeks before your move-in date. Ask for the exact deposit amount required for your account type (residential deposit is $200 as of 2026). Have your driver's license, proof of address (closing papers or lease agreement), and payment method ready.

2. Set Up Electric Service

Call both Four County Electric and Duke Energy to check which one serves your address. Four County Electric: (888) 368-7289. Duke Energy: (800) 452-2777. Ask about deposits, same-day connection availability, and whether they need a landlord authorization letter if you are renting.

3. Arrange Trash Service

If you are inside town limits, trash pickup is automatic with your water account. Ask the Utility Department about cart delivery and your schedule letter (A or B). If you are outside town limits, contact Bladen County Solid Waste at (910) 645-4279 to learn about county disposal options.

4. Set Up Internet and Phone

Check availability with providers serving the Elizabethtown area. Some providers require a 1- to 2-week installation lead time, so call early.

5. Confirm Mailing Address with the Post Office

Elizabethtown uses PO Boxes for mail delivery in some areas. Confirm whether your physical address receives mail delivery or if you need a PO Box at the Elizabethtown Post Office.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Assuming your electric provider based on location. Four County Electric and Duke Energy territories overlap in Elizabethtown. Always check both before signing up with one — switching after you have moved in can mean restart fees and delays.

2. Mailing your payment too close to the due date. If your check arrives after the 5th, you will be charged a $30 late fee regardless of when you dropped it in the mail. Use online payment or the night depository for last-minute payments.

3. Not asking about the deposit refund. Many residents forget to follow up on their $200 deposit after a year of on-time payments. Ask the Utility Department at setup when and how the deposit is refunded.

4. Assuming trash service works the same outside town limits. If you buy a home with an Elizabethtown address but outside the corporate limits, the town will not pick up your trash. You need to arrange county disposal or a private hauler yourself.

5. Ignoring the holiday schedule. If your pickup day falls on a holiday and you set your cart out as usual, it may sit out for an extra day or two. Check the town's holiday schedule at the start of each year.

6. Forgetting to notify both the town and the electric provider when moving out. Water/sewer and electric are separate accounts with separate companies. You must call each one to close your account or transfer service to your new address, or you will continue to be billed.

Resident Scenarios

The New Homeowner Buying Inside Town Limits

Sarah buys a house on West Broad Street in downtown Elizabethtown. She calls the Utility Department at (910) 862-3979 a week before closing and learns she needs a $200 deposit. She also calls Four County Electric at (888) 368-7289 and confirms her address is in the co-op's service territory. She sets up automatic bank draft for both accounts so she never misses a due date. On move-in day, water and power are both on.

The Renter Moving to an Apartment Outside Town Limits

Jake rents a duplex on NC-87 north of Elizabethtown. His mailing address says Elizabethtown, but the property is outside the town limits. He learns that the town does not provide water, sewer, or trash service at his address — the duplex has a private well and septic, and he needs to take trash to the Bladen County disposal site at 1522 Mercer Mill Rd Ext. His electric is served by Duke Energy Progress, not Four County Electric. He calls Duke at (800) 452-2777 to set up his account and learns a $100 deposit is required.

The Longtime Resident Dealing with a Late Fee

Michael has lived in Elizabethtown for eight years. He usually pays his water bill online, but one month he mails a check that arrives on the 7th. The town charges the $30 late fee. He calls the Utility Department to ask about a one-time courtesy waiver — they let him know the policy and suggest he enroll in bank draft to avoid future late payments.

The Family Moving Out of Town

The Martinez family is leaving their rental in town limits and buying a house in Bladen County. They call the Utility Department to close their water account and request their $200 deposit refund. They also call Four County Electric to transfer service to their new address. They confirm their new address is outside town limits and will need to use the county's solid waste disposal site for trash.

Contact Information Summary

Department / Provider	Address	Phone	Website
Town of Elizabethtown Utility Dept.	805 W. Broad St, PO Box 700, Elizabethtown, NC 28337	(910) 862-3979	elizabethtownnc.org
Town Hall (main)	805 W. Broad St, Elizabethtown, NC 28337	(910) 862-2066	elizabethtownnc.org
Public Works (trash/recycling)	—	(910) 862-2035	elizabethtownnc.org
Four County Electric Membership Corp.	2668 NC-242 South, Elizabethtown, NC 28337	(888) 368-7289 / (910) 862-3551	fourcty.org
Duke Energy Progress	—	(800) 452-2777	duke-energy.com
Bladen County Solid Waste	1522 Mercer Mill Rd Ext, Elizabethtown, NC 28337	(910) 645-4279	bladennc.org
Bladen County DSS (assistance)	—	—	bladennc.org

Office hours for Town Hall and Utility Department: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.