Utilities
Water
Burke County, Morganton, Drexel, Valdese and several water corporations supply fresh water for industrial and commercial needs.
The Morganton and Valdese treatment plants provide abundant water and sewer capacities. Morganton’s water treatment plant has a capacity of 18 MGD. The Valdese treatment plant has a capacity of 12 MGD. In 2009 Morganton had an excess capacity of 7 MGD and Valdese had an excess capacity of 5 MGD. Water is also supplied to the eastern portion of Burke County by Valdese and the City of Hickory.
Sanitary Sewer
Morganton, Drexel, Valdese and Burke County provide sanitary sewer for industrial and commercial expansions. Morganton’s waste treatment facility has a capacity of 10.5 to 13 MGD with an excess capacity in 2009 of 5.4 MGD. The Valdese waste treatment facility has a capacity of 7.5 MGD and a surplus of 0.5 MGD in 2009. The City of Hickory treats sanitary sewer from a portion of eastern Burke County.
Electricity
Duke Energy, Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation, Morganton and Drexel supply electricity to Burke County.
Duke Energy is an investor owned electric utility company with rates regulated by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. With innovative rates such as Time of Day, industrial rates are among the lowest in the Southeast. Duke Power, rated as the number one utility in the country by Edison Electric Institute, serves over 1.4 million customers in Piedmont North and South Carolina.
Rutherford Electric Membership is owned by the members it serves. Primarily serving the rural areas of Burke County, REA has approximately 12,000 customers. The Board of Directors sets rates.
Morganton and Drexel’s electric systems are owned by their respective local governmental units where their legislative bodies set rates.
Natural Gas
Natural gas service is available throughout the majority of the Interstate 40 corridor from Piedmont Natural Gas Company.
The Burke Economic Development Council can provide rate information from the above utility suppliers or rate information can be obtained directly by contacting the appropriate utility.