Check the records you received when you purchased your property to identify any easements. You may also check your property’s records with the Union County Register of Deeds.

Please contact our Customer Care team to discuss available options.

Call 704-296-4210 or send an email with your name, phone number, address where the easement is located, and question to water@unioncountync.gov.

Trees, fences, structures and other obstructions can hinder our crews from maintaining, repairing, inspecting or replacing our water and sewer infrastructure. Accessible easements allow us to save valuable time in responding to emergencies, such as sanitary sewer overflows and water leaks. This reduces further damage from occurring to the system and the environment. Accessibility to our easements is required by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

It is acceptable to have a temporary structure or object on an easement, as long as it does not prevent or hinder Union County Water's access and the temporary structure may be easily relocated. A few items that could be considered temporary structures allowed within an easement - as long as they can be easily and quickly moved to allow access - include:

• Play set
• Dog house
• Outdoor furniture
• Trampoline

If there is a small, colored flag in your yard, it marks the location of an underground utility. In most cases, the location has been marked because maintenance is needed on the water and sewer system and will require excavation to access the lines.

Union County Water Field Technicians and/or our Customer Care team will attempt to contact you and discuss the actions needed to be taken prior to excavation. However, when work is of an emergency nature, there may not be time to alert you and allow for removal of items that should not be located in the easement or right-of-way.

Yes, Union County Water will ensure the proper restorations are completed to the area affected back to original condition with like materials, including the grass, concrete, asphalt, or gravel driveways. (Fresh concrete will not always match the original color.)

Yes, when you have an easement crossing your property, it is important that access by the County is not restricted. The County must be able to reach the infrastructure for routine maintenance and required repairs.

Union County Water crews will make every attempt to work around any personally-owned underground utilities. However, if damage does occur as a result of UCW activities, UCW will not be held liable for the damage. The County is not responsible for the repair or replacement of any unauthorized items found in, located on, or limiting access to an easement such as:

• Lighting
• Irrigation systems
• Fencing, retaining walls
• Trees, shrubs, landscape materials

Our goal is to address every situation as quickly as possible. However, the amount of time can vary based on the situation. Speak with a staff member to get an idea of how long the work will take to be completed, noting that weather may be a factor.

For grass seed or sod, keep surface soil moist by watering until normal germination takes place in approximately two weeks. Heavier, less frequent watering is sufficient as grass seedlings grow to cutting height.

The area will be restored to its original condition with like materials, with the exception of new taps.

Yes, although it is a relatively small amount, you will be responsible for the water it takes to maintain the newly established seed or sod.

If you choose to fix your yard yourself, you may do so at your expense. Union County Water will not reimburse you for the repairs. Union County Water has contractors and personnel designated to ensure quality landscaping is completed in a timely manner.

If you feel that damage has been done to your property, you may report the damage to Union County Water Customer Care at 704-296-4210. A representative will discuss the situation and possible options with you.