Of the more than $265 million that will go to fund 99 drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in 45 counties, about $60 million will go to the coast, the governor’s office announced last Friday.
“When we invest in our infrastructure, we build a stronger and safer state for every North Carolinian,” Gov. Josh Stein stated in a release. “This funding will help ensure more North Carolinians have access to safe and clean drinking water and will strengthen our communities for decades to come.”
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The awards that are to fund projects include $500,000 to Nags Head to finance repairs and replacements for about 400 malfunctioning residential septic systems. This is the first award from the Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System Pilot Program.
“We’re excited to be the first recipient of funding from the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System Pilot Program,” officials said on social media. “This funding aligns with our Todd D. Krafft Septic Health Initiative, which has helped Nags Head residents maintain their septic systems for over 20 years. By offering free septic inspections, low-interest pump-out loans, and financial assistance for system repairs, this initiative plays a vital role in protecting our water quality.”
New Hanover County will receive $3 million in funding to install 1.3 miles of water lines and connect 50 occupied residential units to the water system.
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, also in New Hanover County, will receive $35 million for the ongoing southside wastewater treatment plant replacement project.
Opened in 1972, “much of the Southside Plant’s infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life,” according to the the public utility that provides drinking water for the Wilmington area and New Hanover County.
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This is the fourth low-interest loan of $35 million the utility has been approved for through the state since summer 2023, totaling $140 million. The project is expected to be around $450 million, according to the utility’s website.
River Bend in Craven County will receive $10.4 million to complete improvements to water treatment systems and water supply wells.
Murfreesboro in Hertford County will receive $3.8 for townwide lift station improvements.
Plymouth will receive close to $2.5 million to inventory and replace lead and copper service lines, and $1.87 million for lift station improvements.
Bay River Metropolitan Sewage District in Pamlico County will receive $2.6 million for wastewater treatment plant Improvements.
Elizabeth City will receive $300,000 for sewer and water management plan updates.
Askewville, First Craven Sanitary District, Windsor and Winfall will each receive $150,000 for asset and inventory assessment projects.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure reviewed 203 eligible applications, totaling a request of $1.63 billion. The State Water Infrastructure Authority approved the awards during its Feb. 19 meeting.
“Every family expects and deserves clean water when they turn on the tap,” NCDEQ Secretary Reid Wilson said in the release. “These investments will provide critical infrastructure to help improve public health and quality of life for North Carolinians in communities large and small across our state.”
Funding came from the drinking water and clean water state revolving loan funds, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emerging Contaminants funds, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement fund, the Drinking Water and Wastewater State Reserves, the Viable Utilities Reserve, and the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure program.
The State Water Infrastructure Authority is an independent body with primary responsibility for awarding federal and state funding for water infrastructure projects.
