Public Works

Report a problem online: use the Report a Problem form for water, sewer, street and trash problems. For a gas smell, leave the area and call 911.

The Public Works Department consists of three (3) divisions:

• Streets/Maintenance Division– debris pickup, right-of-way maintenance, street repairs and maintenance, water/sewer line repairs, street signs
• Water Division– water/sewer line maintenance, water plant operations, pump station maintenance, meter reading
• Natural Gas Division– natural gas system maintenance and operations, safety protocols and regulation monitoring

These divisions work together to provide dependable services in a safe manner to citizens and business of Bessemer City.

Natural Gas

For natural gas emergencies or other problems call:

• After 5pm and Weekends: (704) 866-3300
• M-F, 8AM-5PM: (704) 629-5542

Natural Gas Service Line Safety Device Availability Customer Notification

Natural Gas Public Awareness Survey- CLICK HERE

Bessemer City Natural Gas Customer:

Based on the requirements of a new regulation issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PMHSA), the City of Bessemer is providing notification to all of its customers about the availability of the retrofit installation of an excess flow valve (EFV) on your natural gas service line. The following information is provided to help you decide if the installation of this safety device on your natural gas service line is desired.

What is EFV?

An EFV is a mechanical safety device that is installed on a natural gas distribution service line between the street and residential meter. If there is a significant increase in the flow of gas (e.g., due to a damaged line), the EFV will “trip” or close to stop of minimize the flow of gas through the line thus, decreasing the amount of escaping into the atmosphere. During normal use, the valve is kept pushed open against oncoming gas flow by a spring. EFV’s are designed so that general usage, such as turning on appliances, will not shut the valve. However, during a significant increase in the flow of gas (e.g., due to a damaged line), the spring cannot overcome the force of gas, and the valve will closed and stay closed until the correct pressure is restored. When the correct pressure is restored (e.g., following repair of the damage), the EFV automatically resets itself.

How much does the installation of the EFV cost?

The cost of the EFV and the installation is $450.00. This cost will include the materials (valve)  and installation of the valve by qualified City of Bessemer City Gas Department employees. The installation of the EFV will require excavation of your natural gas service line in or near the street, disconnecting of your service line to install the valve and restoration of the excavation and surrounding area. Following the installation of the EFV, the City of Bessemer City will accept all responsibility for maintaining, repairing, and replacing the EFV as required.

How do I request the installation of the EFV?

If you would like to have an EFV installed on your natural gas service line, visit City Hall and complete an application or visit the Finance and Customer Service page on the City’s website to download a copy of the application. All applications and fees must be submitted at City Hall.

Once the application is complete and fee is paid, the installation will be scheduled by Finance and Customer Service Representative.

 If you have additional questions concerning the EFV’s, please contact Finance and Customer Service at 704-629-5542.

Public Awareness Program: Working Together for Safety

The Bessemer City Natural Gas Department personnel strive to operate the gas system with an emphasis on safety. As one of the many people who live or work near our natural gas system, you can help us keep the gas system operating safely. The following information will be useful to you, and also help you keep us informed of safety issues:

• Recognize and react to a gas leak
• Know the gas leak instructions
• Know the dangers of Carbon Monoxide gas
• Know the dangers of using flexible gas connectors
• Know the reason for pipeline markers
• Know how to recognize a Pipeline emergency
• Know why we should protect gas meters

Never try to locate a pipeline yourself, always contact the North Carolina One Call Center at 811 or 1-800-632-4949. Give them the information as they request and they will notify everyone with utility in the area of your planned excavation. The only requirement is that you give us 72 hours notice to allow time to respond to the locate request and mark our utility. There is no charge for this service.

Department Responsibilities:

The Bessemer City Natural Gas Department first responsibilities is to keep the public safety first and making sure that our employees are working in safe environment. The Bessemer City Natural Gas Department works closely with other municipal groups that provide natural gas to their customers.

Our other main adjective is our Public Awareness Program. This program is to educate both our customers and non-customers who live or work near our pipelines, how to recognize the odor of natural gas and how to respond if they detect possible gas odors. Early recognize of a gas odor and proper response can save lives.

The Natural Gas Department sends out a brochure twice a year to our customers and non-customers to help them understand and be aware of the natural gas distribution system.

Department Mission:

The Natural Gas Department is always trying to keep up the new technology in the gas field, and making sure that our Natural Gas Distribution system is up to date with the requirements of the Pipeline Safety Federal Regulations of the 191 and 192. To stay in compliance with the Pipeline Safety Federal Regulations of the 191 and 192 the Gas Department employees are trained in the field and are update with their OQ – Operator Qualifications Testing.

Our main mission is to keep our customers and non-customer safe and for them to have knowledge of Natural Gas and keep our employees trained and qualified to work in a safe in environment.

General Information About Services:

• Installing gas service to home
• Install gas mains
• Install gas meter or change out gas meter
• Gas Technician on call 24hrs
• Check for gas leaks and CO
• Repair broke gas mains and services

• Do monthly maintenances on Natural Gas Distribution System
• Once a year proofing gas meter
• Once a year leak survey
• Once a week check low and high pressure readings.

Solid Waste

The City contracts with Waste Pro for solid waste collection.  Everyone within the city limits is required to have garbage collection. In the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Budget, roll out cans are $16 per can per month.

Garbage collection occurs four times per month.  Check out your collection route below.  Note– to confirm your collection day, please contact Customer Service at (704) 629-5542.  The map is for demonstration purposes only and may not be exact is some areas.

Roll-Out Carts

• Place carts with wheels facing your home.
• Keep carts 2 feet from one another and 2 feet from parked cars, mailboxes, etc.
• Do not block sidewalks with cart(s).

Churches, non-profits and some commercial sites may be required to have a dumpster. Those customers will need to contract with a waste removal service. The City will decide when dumpster service is required. If you have problems with the collection or the container, please call Customer Service at (704) 629-5542.

Waste Pro-Tection is a community awareness initiative in partnership with local law enforcement in an effort to better serve municipalities. The concept is simple, Waste Pro employees, who perform waste collection duties, report unusual or suspicious activity to the local law enforcement for follow up. Training is provided by law enforcement to our employees on how to handle potential evidence and what kind of activities to look for in the neighborhoods they are servicing.  Contact the Bessemer City Police Department for more information.

Garbage

• Bag all garbage before placing in cart (this prevents litter).
• Only bags placed inside garbage cart will be picked up.
• Most routes will remain the same, some minor changes will occur.

Bulk Items

• Items too large to fit inside your garbage cart are bulky items (such as furniture, mattresses, etc.).
• Call Waste Pro at (980) 255-3800 to schedule bulk pickup
• $35 for up to three (3) items; each additional item $15; maximum of five (5) items per resident, per week.
• NO electronics or appliances.

Rental Truck Program

The City provides the “rental truck” program to help citizens deal with removing bulk waste. With this program, residents can reserve a city truck to load the materials at their residence. The city will take the debris to the landfill the following day. The cost to reserve the truck is $75 which is put towards the landfill disposal fee. Following disposal, additional fees may apply if the amount exceeds the standard load. The truck can be reserved by visiting the City Annex at 125 E. Virginia Ave.

Yard Waste Collection

• The City will pick up yard waste weekly on your normal service day.
• Branches must be no more than 6 inches in diameter and less than 5 feet long.
• Do not mix other debris with leaves.
• Loose leaves will be collected from October 1 – March 1.
• Bagged leaves will be collected March 2 – September 30.

Limb Collection Reminder – City Ordinances require that limbs be no longer than 5ft. in length, and no larger than 6 inches in diameter. We cannot collect limbs if other debris is mixed with them, or if they exceed the required length & size. We are seeing an increase in contracted work being placed at curbside for collection. We do not collect yard waste resulting from any type of contracted work.

Leaf Collection – During the spring/summer months, the City will collect bagged leaves. The Leaf Vacuum Program begins in October of 2006. After that date, no bagged leaves will be collected. Also, leaves mixed with other debris cannot be vacuumed. Burning permits are not issued during the leaf vacuum season.

Yard Waste Collection Codes

Tree, hedge, and shrubbery trimmings shall be placed at the curb for collection in accordance with the following guidelines:

1. No tree trunks, branches, limbs, and the like, larger than six inches in diameter, longer than five feet in length shall be collected by the city.
2. Tree and shrubbery limbs shall have protruding branches or limbs of a size not to be blown about and scattered by the elements, they shall be effectively tied so as to avoid wind driven debris and unsightly litter conditions. Thorny vegetation shall be placed near the curb in small, neat piles.
3. Collection of tree and shrubbery trimmings shall be limited to six yards, uncompacted per week per residence, but additional service may be approved by the Public Works Director upon request.
4. Tree limbs shall be separated from smaller shrubbery trimmings to allow for chipping, all brush shall be put in separate piles from other general debris.
5. Limbs and cuttings must be placed with butt or cut end toward the street or public alley and must be of the size that can be handled by one person.
6. The city shall not collect tree and shrubbery trimmings resulting from contracted work, as defined in § 54.01 of this chapter, nor shall the city collect, remove, or assist in the removal of tree stumps, small rocks, tree trunks, heavy grass, or dirt resulting from the clearing of any property of any kind. It shall be unlawful for any person to place or deposit any such item at curbside at any time. (Ord. passed 2/10/92) Penalty, see § 54.99

Stormwater

City Hall
132 W. Virginia Ave.
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 629-5542

What is Stormwater?

Bessemer City is working to protect our local streams from being damaged by stormwater pollution.

When it rains, pollutants such as fertilizer, oil, grease and pet waste are picked up from the ground and carried into the nearest storm drain down the street. The storm drains are not connected to a treatment system, so everything that flows down the drain goes directly to the nearest water body.

Make a Difference

You can make a difference and help us keep our local waters clean.

As a visitor to this site you’ve already taken the first step – getting informed.
Step two – get involved by doing one or more of the following:

• Adopt a couple of clean water habits to reduce pollution from your home.
• Adopt a couple of clean water habits to reduce pollution from your business.
• Get involved with local projects and volunteer opportunities.
• Report stormwater problems.

Prevent Stormwater Pollution

While citizens, businesses and industry are working to prevent stormwater pollution, Bessemer City is busy doing the same.

In 2005, we received a Phase II Stormwater permit that requires that we develop and implement a stormwater management program that includes the following measures:

• Teach citizens and business owners about how they can prevent and reduce stormwater pollution.
• Involve citizens in developing and implementing our local stormwater program.
• Look for and remove unlawful discharges to the stormwater sewer system.
• Regulate new development activities to ensure that they provide appropriate treatment for stormwater before it reaches local waterways.
• Reduce and eliminate pollution resulting from our activities.

Stormwater Pollution

There are many sources of stormwater pollution, including:

• Automotive fluids
• Pet waste
• Brake dust
• Cigarette butts
• Leaves
• Soil and garbage
• Grass clippings

These materials are generated everyday and combine to create a sticky, stinky, unhealthy mess that contaminates our local waters.

Where Does Stormwater Go?

When it rains, or when water is used, pollutants are picked-up from the ground and carried into the nearest storm drain down the street. The storm drains are not connected to a treatment system, so everything that flows down the drain goes directly to the nearest water body, ultimately flowing into the ocean.

Streets & Maintenance

The Street and Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department is responsible for:

• street maintenance
• bulk debris pickup and yard waste collection
• right-of-way maintenance
• water/sewer line repairs
• holiday and seasonal decoration installation
• fleet management

Rental Truck Program

The City provides the “rental truck” program to help citizens deal with removing bulk waste. With this program, residents can reserve a city truck to load the materials at their residence. The city will take the debris to the landfill the following day. The cost to reserve the truck is $50, which is put towards the landfill disposal fee. Following disposal, any amount over the $50 will be billed to the resident. The truck can be reserved by coming to City Hall, completing an application and paying the $50 fee.

Yard Waste Collection

• The City will pick up yard waste weekly on your normal service day.
• Branches must be no more than 6 inches in diameter and less than 5 feet long.
• Do not mix other debris with leaves.
• Loose leaves will be collected from October 1 – March 1.
• Bagged leaves will be collected March 2 – September 30.

Limb Collection Reminder – City Ordinances require that limbs be no longer than 5ft. in length, and no larger than 6 inches in diameter. We cannot collect limbs if other debris is mixed with them, or if they exceed the required length & size. We are seeing an increase in contracted work being placed at curbside for collection. We do not collect yard waste resulting from any type of contracted work.

Leaf Collection – During the spring/summer months, the City will collect bagged leaves. The Leaf Vacuum Program begins in October of 2006. After that date, no bagged leaves will be collected. Also, leaves mixed with other debris cannot be vacuumed. Burning permits are not issued during the leaf vacuum season.

Yard Waste Collection Codes

Tree, hedge, and shrubbery trimmings shall be placed at the curb for collection in accordance with the following guidelines:

1. No tree trunks, branches, limbs, and the like, larger than six inches in diameter, longer than five feet in length shall be collected by the city.
2. Tree and shrubbery limbs shall have protruding branches or limbs of a size not to be blown about and scattered by the elements, they shall be effectively tied so as to avoid wind driven debris and unsightly litter conditions. Thorny vegetation shall be placed near the curb in small, neat piles.
3. Collection of tree and shrubbery trimmings shall be limited to six yards, uncompacted per week per residence, but additional service may be approved by the Public Works Director upon request.
4. Tree limbs shall be separated from smaller shrubbery trimmings to allow for chipping, all brush shall be put in separate piles from other general debris.
5. Limbs and cuttings must be placed with butt or cut end toward the street or public alley and must be of the size that can be handled by one person.
6. The city shall not collect tree and shrubbery trimmings resulting from contracted work, as defined in § 54.01 of this chapter, nor shall the city collect, remove, or assist in the removal of tree stumps, small rocks, tree trunks, heavy grass, or dirt resulting from the clearing of any property of any kind. It shall be unlawful for any person to place or deposit any such item at curbside at any time. (Ord. passed 2/10/92) Penalty, see § 54.99

Water Division

POSTS
2026 System Development Fee Study DRAFT [link]

2025 CCR Report [link]

Click Here For Public Works – Water Division Forms / Documents2023 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)

Water Treatment Plant

298 Logan Street
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 629-5684

Department Mission:

The mission of the staff of the Bessemer City Water Division of the Public Works Department is to provide customers with a safe and dependable supply of water for drinking, domestic, and recreational purposes. We continually strive to provide you dependable and high quality service. We are committed to protecting the environment and following all Local, State, and Federal regulations. 

Triple Redundancy System:
Bessemer City provides a triple redundancy system for residents and businesses making the community ideal for growth and business operation uses.

• The City controls and manages two (2) public water sources, Arrowood Lake, located off of Sunset Drive (primary) and Webber Lake, located off of Old Mill Road (secondary).  These reservoirs are fed from Long Creek, located north west of the City.
• Bessemer City is connected with the City of Kings Mountain’s water system as an emergency backup.  Water is only purchased from the City of Kings Mountain during emergencies.
• Bessemer City is also connected with the City of Gastonia (Two Rivers Utilities) for water service.  This connection is only used in emergency situations.

Water Customer Service:
Visit the Customer Service & Finance page for water/sewer tap applications and information about billing, deposits and fees. 

Department Responsibilities:
It is the responsibility of the Water Division to ensure the water delivered to your homes and or businesses is treated properly to provide you and your family with safe, tasteful, potable water.

General Information About Services:
Should you have a problem with your water please call someone at the above phone numbers. We will do everything possible to locate a problem with your water including flushing water lines and having a staff member collect and analyze a water sample from your home or business and notify you of the results.

Wastewater Services:
Bessemer City contracts with Two Rivers Utilities (TRU)(City of Gastonia) for wastewater treatment services. 

Bessemer City recently came in 3rd place in the North Carolina Rural Water Association Water Taste Contest!  A sample of water was taken from the Bessemer City Water System and submitted to be evaluated on 1) Taste, 2) Color, 3) Odor and 4) Clarity.

Visit the North Carolina Rural Water Association for more information!

Water Notices:

Click Here to access public water notices.

Natural gas safety: Help us by taking the Natural Gas Safety Survey.