Our application process is now online. Program participants must complete a new application each year; the program year runs July 1-June 30. 

Submit an Application for the 2025-2026 Program Year

If you would prefer a paper application, please email us at hydrantusage@unioncountync.gov or call Customer Service at 704-296-4210. 

Vessel inspections are conducted weekly on Wednesdays from 8-9 a.m. at the Union County Water Operations Center, 4600 Goldmine Road, Monroe, NC 28110.

Inspections are conducted on a first come basis.

A valid Union County Water permit is required before attaching a vessel to a Union County Water hydrant. The vessel meter must be mounted to the vessel, and the meter and air gap must pass inspection to receive a permit sticker.

A permit allows you to draw water from bulk hydrants, which are easily identified by their blue tops. See a map of authorized hydrants here.

A permit does not give you permission to draw water from every hydrant in Union County - only the hydrants that appear on this map.

An annual bulk water permit is valid July 1-June 30 and costs $650 per vehicle. This cost remains the same throughout the entire year and cannot be prorated.

Rates and fees associated with the Bulk Water Program are listed in our annual Rates & Fees.

Customers will need to use the hydrant meter with every use, even if a meter is installed on their own vessel. The meter is covered in a green sleeve, with a connection point visible at the end for customer use.

All usage must be reported by the fifth day of each month on our monthly reporting form, including months without water usage. A monthly base charge is billed per meter, even if there is no usage.

When registering your hydrant account in the Customer Portal, the system will use a customer's physical address information to validate your account. Because our Bulk Water Program is a little different than typical water service to a home or business, program participants should follow these guidelines for enrolling in our Customer Portal:

If your hydrant account has a Service Address:
The portal will automatically use your service address to validate your account. Enter your service address as it appears on your billing statement or account record.

If there is no Service Address associated with the hydrant:
The portal will use your mailing address instead, specifically the street number and ZIP code for your mailing address. Be sure to enter these exactly as they appear on your account.

If your Mailing Address is a PO Box address:
The portal will use your PO Box for validation.
• Enter your PO Box number as the street number.
• Use “PO Box” as the street name.
• Enter the ZIP code associated with your PO Box.

If you encounter any difficulty, please contact us at hydrantusage@unioncountync.gov.