What a connection fee covers
When a property connects to the City of Morganton water or sewer system, the City charges a connection fee for the tap at the main and, for water, the meter setup. The FY 2026-27 schedule lists base fees for residential 3/4-inch and 1-inch lines, inside and outside the city, and notes that the City charges actual cost if it is more than the base. Lines larger than 1 inch and commercial or industrial connections are done at actual cost.
The connection fee is separate from the plumber's work on your side. The plumber runs the service line from the meter to the house, or the building sewer from the house to the city's sewer connection, under a plumbing permit.
| Connection | Inside city | Outside city | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water connection, 3/4-inch line | $1,500.00 | $2,250.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Water connection, 1-inch line | $1,800.00 | $2,700.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Sprinkler (irrigation) tap, 3/4-inch line | $1,500.00 | $2,250.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Sprinkler (irrigation) tap, 1-inch line | $1,800.00 | $2,700.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Sewer connection, 3/4-inch line | $1,500.00 | $2,250.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Sewer connection, 1-inch line | $1,800.00 | $2,700.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
Inside or outside the city
Connection fees outside the city limits are about one and a half times the inside figures, and monthly rates outside the city are higher too. Check whether service is available at your address before you plan around it; the City lists a fee for a water and sewer availability letter, which is also useful when buying land.
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Meter moved at the customer's request (actual cost if more) | $100.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Damaged meter (actual cost if more) | $100.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Water and sewer tap inspection, per tap | $50.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
| Water and sewer availability letter | $50.00 | Morganton FY 2026-27 fee schedule |
Know what the city and county charge, then let an independent local plumber price the repair.
Call (828) 604-6266Irrigation taps
A separate sprinkler tap lets irrigation water be metered on its own. The City's schedule lists sprinkler tap fees at the same base amounts as residential water connections. Whether a separate irrigation meter saves money depends on how much you water and how your account is billed; ask City customer service how sewer charges apply to an irrigation meter before you decide.
Irrigation connections need backflow protection to keep irrigation water from being drawn back into the drinking water system. Ask your plumber or irrigation installer what device is required and who tests it.
Switching from a well or septic
Homes near the city's lines sometimes switch from a private well or septic system to city service. That means a connection fee, the plumbing work to tie in, and properly abandoning the old system. A septic tank that is taken out of use has to be pumped and abandoned according to state rules; Burke County Environmental Health can tell you what it requires.
A well can sometimes be kept for irrigation, but it must not be cross-connected with the city supply. Discuss the plan with the City and with your plumber before you start.
The plumbing side
On the house side, the plumber installs the service line from the meter, typically with a shut-off valve where the line enters the house, and the building sewer with cleanouts. Both trenches need an NC811 locate request before digging. Inside the city, the plumbing permit comes from the City of Morganton; outside, from Burke County.
Ask for a quote that lists the trench length, pipe material and size, valves and cleanouts, permit and inspections, and surface restoration. Driveway and sidewalk crossings add cost.
Timeline for a new connection
For a new house inside the city, the usual order is: confirm water and sewer availability with the City, apply for the building and trade permits, pay the connection fees, and have the City set the tap and meter. The plumber then runs the service line and building sewer, which are inspected before the trenches are backfilled. Ask the City how long the tap and meter installation takes at the time you apply, because it can set the pace for the rest of the project.
For an existing house switching from a well, the steps are similar but shorter. The key decisions are where the new service line will run, whether the old well will be kept for irrigation with no connection to the house plumbing, and how the old system will be disconnected.
Costs beyond the city fee
The City's connection fee is only part of the cost. Trenching, pipe, fittings, a new house valve, backflow devices where required, the plumbing permit and inspection, and restoring lawn, driveway or sidewalk all add to it. Long runs from the street, rock in the trench and driveway crossings add the most. Ask for a quote that separates each of these so you can compare plumbers fairly.
If the house sits well back from the road or uphill from the main, ask whether pressure or a sewer pump will be needed. A house below the sewer main may need a grinder pump to lift wastewater to the city line, and that pump becomes the owner's to maintain. Knowing that before you commit avoids an expensive surprise.
Questions to ask the City before you commit
Ask whether water and sewer mains run along your frontage, how far the tap will be from the house, whether any extension of the main is needed, and whether a cost recovery fee applies to your street. The fee schedule lists additional cost recovery fees for certain water extension projects, so it is worth asking before you budget. Ask too how long the City currently takes to set a new meter after the fee is paid, and whether the meter box location can be chosen to keep it clear of the driveway.
Getting quotes
When you request quotes, include the address, whether it is inside the city, what you are connecting, and the distance from the street to the house. The Free Quote Request form on this page lets independent plumbers who work in Burke County follow up.
Figures on this page come from: City of Morganton: Schedule of Fees and Charges, FY 2026-2027 (PDF); City of Morganton Finance: Schedule of Fees and Charges; NC811: North Carolina One-Call Center; Burke County, NC: Septic (Environmental Health applications and forms). Checked 2026-10-29.
Describe the problem once. Independent plumbers who work in Burke County can follow up.
Call (828) 604-6266Quick answers for Morganton homeowners
How much is a water tap in Morganton, NC?
A residential 3/4-inch water connection is $1,500.00 inside city limits and $2,250.00 outside, or actual cost if more, under the FY 2026-27 schedule.
Is the sewer connection the same price?
Yes, the residential 3/4-inch sewer connection base is $1,500.00 inside and $2,250.00 outside.
What is a tap inspection?
A $50.00 per-tap inspection listed in the City's development fees.
Do I need a separate irrigation meter?
It is optional; sprinkler taps use the same base fees as water connections.