Biosolids are treated sewage sludge. Biosolids are carefully treated and monitored and must be used in accordance with regulatory requirements.

The application of biosolids reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. As more wastewater plants become capable of producing high quality biosolids, there is an even greater opportunity to make use of this valuable resource.

Back flow prevention assemblies ensure that water flows only in one direction - from the main line in the street, through the individual service line, and into the home or business. Without these assemblies, loss of pressure in the main line could allow water in the property owner's lines to drain back into the system.

Each outage is different. As our crews ride the lines, they may encounter varying factors that will affect the time it takes to isolate the problem and make the necessary repairs.

If your neighbor has power, check your fuses or breakers inside your home, and outside at the meter. If you still don’t have any power, it is possible you are on a different circuit or line than your neighbor, or there could be another cause for the outage.

The restoration process begins at the substation where power is supplied into the electric system. Once we have checked and verified our substations are operational, our crews will begin working on the distribution lines serving the greatest number of members. If possible, power is first restored to critical infrastructure such as the hospital, nursing facilities, etc. Crews will then move to the tap lines (lines on each street), and finally the service lines feeding individual customers. If a utility crew passes by your home or business and does not stop, they may be going to a location that will restore as large of an area as safely as possible, or they may be responding to an emergency situation, such as poles and/or lines down.

No, but you can have a separate irrigation meter installed which has no charge for sewer. Call Customer Services at 704-484-6866 or visit the Customer Service website.

You may also purchase bulk water at the City's Operations Center. Call the Operations Center at 704-484-6840 for more information.

We are required by law to mark city owned utility lines any time a contractor will be excavating near them. Flags or paint marks show the location of utility lines in the area.

Shelby has one water treatment plant located at 801 West Grover Street. Water is transferred from the river into a series of three on-site reservoirs at the water treatment plant. These reservoirs hold a three-day supply of raw water. The water treatment plant, built in 1953 and upgraded in 1994, has a production capacity of 12 MGD.

Once at the plant, raw water is mixed with caustic soda to adjust the pH and aluminum sulfate (alum) to cause dirt particles to coagulate (clump) together. After mixing, the water flows into settling basins where heavy particles are removed through settling. The water then flows through filters, which traps and removes the remaining smaller particles. We add chlorine to prevent bacterial growth and fluoride is added to promote dental health.

We then distribute water to our customers through a distribution system which consists of 220 miles of lines and three (3) above ground storage tanks. The staff at the water treatment plant is continually conducting tests at the plant and throughout the City's distribution system to assure high water quality.

If drinking water is too acidic, it will begin to dissolve the pipes that bring the water to your house. The pH scale goes from 0-14. If the pH of a solution is less than 7, the solution is an acid. If the pH is greater than 7, the solution is a base.

• Examples of acids: lemon juice and vinegar
• Examples of bases: baking soda and soapy water.

The pH of our water is maintained between 7.8 and 9.2. It is a base.

Taste and odor changes in your water can occur for many reasons. They do not always indicate a change in the safety of your water. Water taste is affected by mineral content as well as the presence of chlorine. Sometimes a metallic flavor can be caused by your plumbing, especially if the water tap has not been turned on for several hours. Newer homes with PVC (plastic) pipes may also experience temporarily altered taste or odor.

If you experience a problem with the taste or odor of your water, let the COLD water (through bathtub spout) run for a few minutes to clear the lines, or fill a pitcher and allow it to sit for several hours.

If you only notice an odor in hot water, your water heater may need to be checked by a plumber. Some water heaters have magnesium anodes to prevent corrosion that can cause an odor in tap water. Other odor sources may include food or a blockage in the garbage disposal or a drain.

If the problem persists, call Customer Services at 704-484-6866.

Water that customers usually refer to as 'muddy' water may look like mud but is actually rust or iron oxides. Most of the City of Shelby's distribution system is comprised of ductile iron pipes. When water stand in public water main or in a customer's galvanized service line or internal plumbing, it may naturally dissolve the iron. If your water suddenly becomes rusty, it may be caused by fire hydrant flushing or construction in the area.

If at any time the water is deemed unsafe to drink, you will be notified immediately by the City of Shelby for guidance. Although harmless, discolored water may leave stains when washing clothes. If you are experiencing discolored water, you may want to postpone doing laundry for a short time until the water becomes clear. Even though discolored water is harmless, if you don't feel comfortable using it during short periods of discoloration, we certainly understand.

If discolored water is noticed at your tap, turn your cold water on and run it for a few minutes to see if it clears up. If allowing the tap to run doesn't correct the problem within five to ten minutes, call Customer Services at 704-484-6866.

Several private companies hang surveys and small sample bottles on residential doors with the offer to conduct water quality tests. These tests are not associated with the City of Shelby. If you have any questions about or issues with your water quality, call Customer Services at 704-484-6866.

You may also look at the Water Quality Report for more information.

On average, each person in the U.S. contributes 50-100 gallons of wastewater daily. It comes from:

• Homes - human and household wastes from toilets, sinks, baths, and drains.
• Industry, Schools, and Businesses - chemicals and other wastes from factories, food-service operations, airports, shopping centers, etc.

Treatment plants remove impurities contained in wastewater so that the treated wastewater can be safely returned to the environment. This same stabilization process occurs in nature to break down wastewater into its most basic components of carbon dioxide and water. Common methods of treatment include physical, biological and chemical treatment steps to stabilize the wastewater. Wastewater treatment plants are designed to accelerate and control nature's process to insure proper treatment is provided.

A wastewater treatment plant:

• Removes Solids - This includes everything from rags and sticks to sand and smaller particles found in wastewater.
• Reduces Organic Matter and Pollutants - Helpful bacteria and other microorganisms are used to consume organic matter in wastewater. The bacteria and microorganisms are then separated from the water.
• Restores oxygen - Treatment facilities help ensure the water put back into our lakes or rivers has enough oxygen to support life.

Wastewater treatment usually takes place in two steps:

• Primary treatment removes 40-50% of the solids. Sanitary sewers carry wastewater from homes and businesses to the treatment plant. Bar screens let water pass, but not trash. The trash is collected and properly disposed. A grit chamber is a large tank that slows down the flow of water. This allows sand, grit, and other heavy solids to settle at the bottom for removal later.
• Secondary treatment completes the process, so that 85-90% of the pollutants are removed. A secondary sedimentation tank allows the microorganisms and solid wastes to form clumps and settle. Some of this mixture, called "activated sludge," can be mixed with air again and reused in the aeration tank. A disinfectant, such as chlorine, is usually added to the wastewater before it leaves the treatment plant. The disinfectant kills disease-causing organisms in the water. After treatment, the water can be returned to nearby waterways. It can also be used on land for agriculture and other purposes.

Sludge can be a useful byproduct of treated wastewater. Sludge may be treated (thickened) to remove some of its water, then further processed by stabilization. Raw sludge is allowed to decompose in digester tanks. In some cases, special chemicals are used for stabilization. Stabilized sludge has no odor and is free of disease-causing organisms.

Some nontoxic sludge can be safely used as:

• Soil conditioner to improve the soil for crops in some areas of the nation. Sludge can also improve the soil for lawns, fields, and parks.
• Fuel. Using certain processes, sludge can also be used to produce methane gas. The methane can then be burned to supply energy for a small power plant or for other purposes.

If it can't be safely used, sludge must be buried in approved landfills or burned using special technology to prevent air pollution.

The daily treatment plant operation is conducted by highly trained and certified operators. It requires:

• A plant manager/superintendent to ensure the plant has enough money, trained personnel, and equipment to conduct business.
• Maintenance personnel to prevent mechanical failures and solve equipment problems.
• Plant operators who know how to treat wastewater properly before discharging it into the environment. After a thorough training and exam process, operators are licensed through State standards.

Nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and other chemical nutrients found in wastewater can damage lakes and rivers. These nutrients need to be changed into less harmful substances or removed before being released into the environment.

Sometimes wastewater contains hazardous chemicals from industry, pesticides, etc. Controlling these chemicals may require pretreatment of wastewater by industries and the use of advanced (tertiary) treatment methods at the wastewater treatment plant.

Water entering the treatment system through cracks or joints in sewer lines or storm drains places an extra burden on a facility.

The amount and kind of wastewater entering a treatment plant can change quickly. Plant operators must be ready to respond to these changing conditions.

Dispose of household products safely. Don't pour solvents, pesticides, paint thinners, engine oil, or household cleaning products with hazardous chemicals down the drain or into a storm sewer. Take them to a recycling center or hazardous waste collection site. Cooking oils and grease should be collected in a container, covered, and disposed of as solid waste. Fats, oils, and grease collect in the sewer system and are a major cause of blockages and sewage back-ups.

Use fertilizers and pesticides carefully—and only as directed.

Try to find safe alternatives to products that can harm water supplies. If you wish to dispose of old mercury thermometers, please call the Wastewater Treatment Plant at 704-484-6850 and we will make arrangements to collect your old thermometers and will then dispose of them properly.

Be informed. Learn about your local water supplies and any possible threats the water supply faces. Know what your community is doing to protect your water supply. Help other citizens be aware of the importance of clean water in your community.

Support your local treatment plant. Be aware of your treatment plant's effort to provide clean water. Help make sure the plant has the money, equipment, and personnel to ensure the water's safety. Visit your local treatment plant. Learn what special problems it must solve and what you can do to help. Use water wisely.

Practice water conservation at home and at work. Fix leaks and install water-saving devices and appliances. Be aware of how much water you use in your household. Don't take this valuable resource for granted.

FOG stands for Fats, Oils and Grease and is generated as a byproduct of cooking. FOG includes (but is not limited to):

• Meat
• Fats
• Lard/Shortening
• Butter/Margarine
• Food Scraps
• Dairy Products
• Batters
• Dressings
• Icing
• Sauces
• Soups
• Oil

• Put used oil and grease in a collection container and dispose of in trash.
• Use a paper towel to remove oil and grease from kitchen pan and utensils before washing Use drain strainers to prevent food scraps from going down the drain.
• Do not use hot water to rinse grease off surfaces.

Used cooking grease should be disposed of in the trash with the rest of your household trash items.

Another option would be to recycle the used cooking oil. Contact the Cleveland County/City of Shelby Recycling Center at 704-480-5516 to see if they will accept your quantity.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, electricity was slowly making its way to North Carolina's cities and towns. Often, electricity was brought into the area by the city and used primarily to power streetlights to brighten the downtown after dark. Power was generated by coal-fired generators and was produced only during the evening and night hours. Originally, the cities built small generators in their hometowns. In some cases, the municipalities set up their own systems when other power suppliers refused to serve these communities.

As demand for lighting grew, electricity was brought into citizens' homes. Soon after, new appliances such as the sewing machine, clothes washer, and refrigerator were invented to simplify daily chores. At the same time, industry was becoming modernized, and industrial demand for electricity grew accordingly. Cities began to see their electric load grow.

What started as a novelty was becoming a full-fledged utility service. During the early 1900s, North Carolina cities were growing quickly. Areas that were little more than a crossroads developed into towns with citizens who needed electric service. North Carolina's investor-owned utilities were sometimes unwilling to invest in infrastructure to run power lines to outlying areas, so North Carolina's cities and towns stepped in and began to invest in electric transmission to serve North Carolina citizens.

Today, there are over 70 public power communities across the state, serving 500,000 North Carolinians. To them, owning their own power system means local control; fast, neighborly service; and economic benefits for their residents.

North Carolina's public power communities continue to be strong vibrant areas in which to work and live. Public power customers benefit from utility policy established by officials who live and work where they do. Local control benefits customers by allowing electric revenue to stay in the community, enabling public power cities to grow and prosper.

Revenues from electricity sales in Public Power communities go toward operating the electric system, providing better community services, and improving the quality of life for residents. A municipally owned utility does not have to pay a dividend to shareholders. In a Public Power community, 'stockholders' are all those who benefit from municipal services ' the citizens of the community.

Customers have a voice in the activities of their electric systems. Since each municipality sets its own policies, customers can speak out on electric power issues at their city and town council meetings. Public Power is the public's business.

ElectriCities of North Carolina is a not-for-profit government service organization representing cities, towns and universities that own electric distribution systems. Today, ElectriCities represents members in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Formed in 1965 to protect the interests of Public Power customers and to provide a unified voice to speak out in the North Carolina legislature, ElectriCities continues today to serve Public Power communities.

ElectriCities provides customer service and safety training, emergency and technical assistance, communications, government affairs and legal services. Through consolidation of these services, members save their customers the expense of administering these functions locally. ElectriCities also provides management services to the state's two municipal Power Agencies, North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1 (NCMPA1) and North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA). Fifty-one of its members receive their electricity from their participation in one of these two agencies. Other members purchase power from investor-owned utilities such as Duke Power and Progress Energy Carolinas or from other power suppliers like the cooperatives. The average ElectriCities member has more than 75 years of experience operating an electric distribution system. Many member cities have been in the electric business for 100 years or more.

During the energy crisis of the mid-70s, the investor-owned utilities feared shortages and were unable to guarantee future power supply. The state needed additional power plants, but the investor-owned utilities were having difficulty raising the necessary capital for construction. After considering concerns about reliability, cost, and long-term supply of electricity, the North Carolina Legislature enacted legislation to enable cities to join together to form Municipal Power Agencies, paving the way for cities to enter the generation business. Fifty-one cities in North Carolina chose to form two Municipal Power Agencies and issued electric revenue bonds. Combined, the Power Agencies own portions of five nuclear and two coal-fired plants totaling more than 1450 megawatts of generation capacity.

In 1965, the battle for territory between private utilities (investor-owned utilities), electric cooperatives, and the cities intensified statewide. The result was the 1965 Electric Act, promising to resolve many of the disputes between the investor-owned utilities and co-ops. The 1965 Act, however, created new difficulties for municipal systems, which were left out of the legislation by restricting their right to serve customers in areas annexed in the future.

ElectriCities was organized to provide the municipal systems a unified voice to speak out in the legislature against the bill. The group was unable to stop passage of the bill but decided to form a permanent alliance to help Public Power become a stronger voice for its customers statewide. In 1983, at the request of the cities, the Legislature expanded this voluntary association with the passage of Chapter 159B of the North Carolina General Statutes allowing North Carolina's "electric cities" to form a joint municipal assistance agency to provide aid and assistance to municipalities in the construction, ownership, maintenance, expansion, and operation of their electric systems.

Since then, ElectriCities has been a powerful force for Public Power in North Carolina and now has grown to reach cities in Virginia and South Carolina. Based in Raleigh, ElectriCities' staff members watch legislative issues closely to ensure its members have a voice in any legislation that may affect electricity issues. ElectriCities members are currently preparing for future competition. They want to make sure Public Power helps shape any legislation that could restructure the electric utility industry.

ElectriCities provides customer service and safety training, emergency and technical assistance, communications, government affairs and legal services. ElectriCities also provides management services to the state's two municipal Power Agencies, North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1 (NCMPA1) and North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA).

With the strength of its membership, ElectriCities is able to provide consolidated technical, administrative, and management services to its members. By using services offered at group rates, member cities are able to maintain their electric systems and equipment better. Services including aerial device (bucket truck) testing, infrared scanning and substation maintenance costs are significantly less through ElectriCities' contracts than if the cities contracted the services themselves, demonstrating collective strength.

ElectriCities schools and workshops keep utility personnel up-to-date on safely handling hazardous substances, customer service, utility credit and collections, load conservation marketing and other aspects of the business. Comparable schools elsewhere cost two to three times more. Training programs encourage safe work habits and reduce potential liability. Lineman training and municipal transformer schools teach member city employees' systematic safety measures to use in their daily duties. Retail rate assistance helps municipalities establish effective rate schedules.

Communications, legislative and legal services present a unified message for Public Power across the state.

Through the Emergency Assistance program, cities help each other in times of disaster. For the electricity industry, the forces of Mother Nature present regular challenges and can be particularly hard in North Carolina. Despite the direct hits, municipal crews continue to beat the averages, restoring power to customers, while significant numbers of other utility customers remain in the dark.

The 1965 Electric Act passed by the NC General Assembly governs retail electric service in North Carolina. There are three types of retail electric providers in the state: (i) municipalities, (ii) investor-owned companies, and (iii) electric membership corporations. Within the city limits, the City of Shelby is the primary retail electric supplier and will, in most cases, be the electric supplier for new facilities. In situations where another electric provider has existing electric lines inside the city limits, the 1965 Electric Act created a 300-foot 'corridor' around those secondary electric provider's lines. In these situations, a customer establishing electric service for a new facility may have a choice of electric suppliers within the city limits depending upon the proximity of their new facility to the secondary electric provider's lines. Customers should contact the City of Shelby to review their specific situation for determination of electric service rights. Existing customers will continue to be served by their current provider.

The City of Shelby may also provide electric service outside the city limits to serve new facilities within reasonable limitations, to provide electric service to city-owned facilities, or expand electric lines prior to annexation to provide city services when annexation becomes effective. The City of Shelby will assist customers in establishing electric service for a new facility.

• Electric Systems Load Data Sheet
• Notice to Electric Customer

Leaves, limbs, and grass clippings are picked up on a routine cycle.  Usually the routine is weekly.  However, during heavy season's the routine could take up to three weeks to complete.

Leaves and grass clippings should be raked into two separate piles and left loosely on the curbside.  Please do not bag your leaves or grass clippings and do not rake them into the street, for this is hazardous for traffic and should it rain it clogs the drainage paths.  When utilizing the area between the roadway and a sidewalk, the sidewalk should not be covered at anytime.

After a valid complaint is received by the building inspector, the inspector will make a site visit to perform an inspection. If violations are found, the home owner will be contacted and informed of the violations. The inspector will then perform a re-inspection in a timely manner to see if the violations have been corrected. If the violations have not been corrected, notice of hearing will be sent to the homeowner to appear before the building official. After the hearing, an order will be issued to either "vacate and repair" or "repair or demolish". A time period allowed by the NC General Statutes and the City of Shelby Code of Ordinances will be given to allow for the remedy to take place. After this time, if the violations have not been corrected an ordinance will be proposed to City Council to allow the City to remedy the violations and the associated fees will be assessed as liens towards the property. Contact Minimum Housing for more information at 704-484-6805.

Any defects that violate the Minimum Housing Standards adopted by the City of Shelby Code of Ordinances warrant a minimum housing inspection. Violations can include defects in the electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or structural components of a home. Contact Minimum Housing for more information at 704-484-6805.

The complaint can be made in person in at 315 S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC by a tenant of the property who is currently up to date on their rent or by filing a petition at Planning & Development Services with at least 5 signatures from City of Shelby citizens. A petition can also be filed by a Public Authority or by the building inspector. Contact Minimum Housing for more information at 704-484-6805.

Yes, as long as they are in a pen and not running loose. Contact Code Enforcement for more information at 704-484-6829.

Only one (1), and it must be in the back yard covered up. Contact Code Enforcement for more information at 704-484-6829.

Call Animal Control or the Police. Contact Code Enforcement for more information at 704-484-6829.

No. Contact Code Enforcement for more information at 704-484-6829.

No. Contact Code Enforcement for more information at 704-484-6829.

No. Contact Code Enforcement for more information at 704-484-6829.

The City of Shelby is not considered negligent in these cases.  A trashcan or recycle can is considered a stationary object.  You must maintain a proper lookout to avoid striking these objects.  Please contact Safety and Risk Management for more information, 704-484-6470.

The City is not legally liable for damages in these types of cases.  This type of incident is considered a road hazard in the State of North Carolina.  The City of Shelby is not liable unless the City had prior knowledge of the pothole and/or any other hazards existing in the roadway and failed to correct that problem within a reasonable amount of time.  This type of damage is usually covered under the Collision Coverage of your personal automobile policy.  Please contact Safety and Risk Management for more information, 704-484-6470.

The City of Shelby’s Insurance Provider will review the claim and any additional supporting documentation.  After the claim is reviewed, you will be contacted via mail or phone by the City’s Insurance Provider.  A decision will be made as to accept or deny the claim by the City’s Insurance Provider.  Please contact Safety and Risk Management for more information, 704-484-6470.

Visit the City’s Employment Opportunities Portal and click on the “Notify Me” tab on the left to receive notifications when new positions become available.

You can search and apply for available positions with the City of Shelby by clicking here.  If you have any questions email Gracie Freeman, Employment Coordinator , at gracie.plonk@cityofshelby.com.

Occasionally a container may be missed or dispatched to the main office of why we were unable to service your container. Please call 704-484-6846 for a possible dispatched record, if no explanation has been recorded, your container will be serviced as soon as possible, usually by the end of the next business day.

Please review the Solid Waste Department, Info webpage for a color coded, legend map or call 704-484-6846 or search for your garbage collection day click on the Interactive Map link.

Click Here for Interactive Map

To submit a nomination for a property to receive an appearance award. Please contact the Keep Shelby Beautiful Coordinator, Jordan Tubbs, at (704)-484-6829 or jordan.tubbs@cityofshelby.com

Yes, Please remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands before placing your tree at the curbside.  No artificial trees.

Contact the Public Works office for more information at 704-484-6846.

Yes, an electrical permit is required to install a back-up home generator. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

Yes, an electrical permit is required to change out the electrical service. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

Yes, a plumbing permit is required to install gas logs. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

Yes, a sign permit is required for the installation of signs. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

No, a permit is not currently required for these types of projects. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

Yes, a building permit is required for retaining walls. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

No, a permit is not currently required for projects such as these. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

Yes, a mechanical permit is required to replace a heating and air unit. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

No, a permit for reroofing with these materials is not currently required. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

Yes, a plumbing permit is required with the installation of an irrigation system. RPZ backflow prevention installation is also required. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at 704-484-6805.

Yes, a building permit is required for the installation of an in ground pool. RPZ backflow prevention must also be installed. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

Yes, a building permit is required for a manufactured carport, along with anchorage plans from a North Carolina design professional. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

Yes, a building permit is required if any dimension of the storage building is greater than 12 feet. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

Yes, a demolition permit is required before a building can be torn down. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

Yes, a moving permit is required. Contact the Planning & Development Services office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

• The cup clearly displays a logo or some other mark that is unique to the social district in which it will be consumed.
• The cup clearly identifies the permittee from which the alcoholic beverage was purchased.
• The cup displays, in no less than 12-point font the statement, "Drink Responsibly. Be 21."
• The cup shall not hold more than 16 fluid ounces.
• The cup is not comprised of glass.

Yes, a permit is required for manufactured homes. Contact the Building Inspections office for more information at (704)-484-6805.

A single patron may purchase any combination of the following at one time:

1. Two beers, or
2. Two wines, or
3. One wine and one beer, or
4. One mixed drink 
   
   

See N.C. Gen. Stat. 18B-300.1 (e)(3) and 18B-1010.