Water & Sewer

Two Rivers Utilities: Regional Water & Wastewater Services

For more than 30 years, Gastonia has provided wholesale water and wastewater services to surrounding municipalities. In 2011, the merger of Gastonia’s and Cramerton’s wastewater systems created Two Rivers Utilities (TRU)—a regional utility serving about 100,000 residents across Gastonia, Cramerton, Bessemer City, McAdenville, High Shoals, Ranlo, Stanley, Clover (SC), and parts of Lowell, Belmont, Dallas, and Kings Mountain.

TRU operates a water treatment plant that processes roughly 5 billion gallons of drinking water each year and manages three wastewater treatment facilities: Long Creek, Crowders Creek, and Eagle Road. All TRU facilities have been recognized by North Carolina as Environmental Stewards for their commitment to sustainability.

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Wastewater Services for Residents & Businesses

TRU maintains over 20,000 sewer connections and 485 miles of sewer lines, providing reliable wastewater service throughout the region. The Division follows a certified ISO 14001 environmental management system, making it the first public agency in North Carolina to earn this certification and placing it among the nation’s top wastewater operations.

To protect local waterways and infrastructure, TRU manages a federally required pretreatment program for industrial and commercial customers. The City also operates a Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) program for commercial kitchens, automotive shops, and carwash facilities to prevent blockages and maintain system performance.

Staff members regularly conduct school programs, facility tours, and community outreach to promote environmental awareness.

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Water Supply & Treatment Division

The Water Supply & Treatment Division is committed to delivering high-quality drinking water at a reasonable cost while protecting public health.

Raw water is drawn primarily from Mountain Island Lake, using the Samuel L. Wilkins Raw Water Pumping Facility, with back up supply from the South Fork River. The water treatment plant—built in the 1920s and expanded multiple times—treats 10 to 24 million gallons per day and performs over 27 million tests annually to ensure safety and quality. About 60% of treated water supports local industries and businesses.

From the plant, water enters a distribution system with 531 miles of water lines, 3,075 fire hydrants, and 12.5 million gallons of storage across the plant and three citywide tanks.