Customers of the Chatham County Water Utility will see late fees and cutoffs resume in the coming weeks, according to the local government.

A release from Chatham County on Tuesday alerted the community of the change, shifting the local government back to normal billing operations that were altered during the aftermath of a cyberattack. The local government said late fees will resume in April, with water service cutoffs for customers with unpaid bills beginning in May.

Chatham County Water Utility began sending bills to customers at the end of February for the period after the local government fell victim to a ransomware attack in October. After a “phishing” email allowed a criminal organization to access county files, officials shut down the county’s phone, email and internet networks. Rebuilding the networks took the county months, with staff recently reporting the local government is nearing a full recovery.

The bills covered billing cycles from November 2020 from February 2021 and will be due March 25.

Chatham County utility shutoffs were also suspended during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, due to a moratorium enacted by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Shutoffs resumed throughout the community in September.

The county government said it charged customers at the “lowest tiered rate” to reduce the impact of receiving the multi-month bills. Tuesday’s release said if customers have difficulty paying their bills, they can discuss payment plan options by calling 919-542-8270. Chatham County recommends water bills are paid through their online portal or at 192 West Street in Pittsboro.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

 

 

Related Stories
‹
Chatham County Nearing Full Recovery from 'Cyber Incident', Cause Still Unclear
While the U.S. government is beginning to uncover and react to an expansive cybersecurity breach into branches and departments, one local government is close to recovery from a similar attack. Chatham County is nearing the point where it was before October 28, when a cyber incident disrupted the government’s phone lines, email networks and other […]
Chatham County Sheriff's Office Rescues Raleigh Man Missing Since Monday
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office says it located a missing Raleigh man Thursday morning. Preston Scott Hill, 35, was found injured in the Haw River near Pittsboro, “in an area of difficult terrain,” according to a release. A helicopter was used to access Hill’s location, and he was then transported to UNC Hospitals in Chapel […]
'So Much Potential': Local Entrepreneur Chris Ehrenfeld Purchases Chatham Mills Property
Chris Ehrenfeld — the owner of BOLD Companies — purchased the Chatham Mills property on September 3, as well as a 3-acre parcel to its north.
100 Years of Kenan Stadium: Dancing the Night Away
Chatham County Public Information Officer Kara Lusk remembers her first Kenan Stadium performance with the UNC Dance Team in the 1990s.
Orange and Chatham County School Districts Celebrate Performance Milestones for 2025-26 Year
The Orange County, Chatham County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City school districts are celebrating positive performance trends demonstrated in the latest accountability report from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. All 13 Orange County Schools earned a performance grade of “C” or higher for the 2025-26 school year, marking the first time since 2017 that […]
60 Years Apart, Bowman Relatives Lead Through Tennis and Student Body Presidency
Seaforth High women’s tennis is hosting Orange High on Wednesday. There will be a story unfolding in the stands as well as on the court.
Chatham County Roundup: Commissioner Karen Howard on Master Aging Plan, More
Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 1, discussing county news and events. She gave details on the county's recently passed 5 Year Master Aging Plan, looked at how the start to the school year is playing out in the community, and more. She also looked ahead to priorities for the County Commissioners as we turn the corner into fall.
Longtime Chatham County Educator Wins $10 Million Lottery Prize
The North Carolina Education Lottery office revealed that Jean Johnson, who teaches in Chatham County, is the winner of a $10 million prize.
Chatham County Roundup: Librarian Rita Van Duinen on How She Can Help Small Business Owners (Aug. 26, 2026)
Rita Van Duinen — the branch manager of Pittsboro's Chatham Community Library — joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, August 26.
Sheriff's Office Charges, Seeks Pittsboro Man and Goldston Woman over Debit Card Fraud
A pair of Chatham County residents face fraud charges after stealing a debit card from the mail and making cash withdrawals from its account.
›