WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Communities statewide are receiving more than $265 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, according to a press release from Governor Josh Stein’s Office.
The funds will pay for 99 projects in 45 counties to combat emerging contaminants like PFAS and replace lead pipes.
“When we invest in our infrastructure, we build a stronger and safer state for every North Carolinian,” Governor Josh Stein stated. “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.”
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) reviewed 203 applications, which amounted to $1.63 billion. The State Water Infrastructure Authority approved the 99 projects chosen on Feb. 19.
“Every family expects and deserves clean water when they turn on the tap,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “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.”
New Hanover County will receive $3 million to install 1.3 miles of water lines and connect 50 occupied units to the water system. The funding is from the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure program.
In Columbus County, the Town of Fair Bluff will receive $1 million to build a well outside the 500-year floodplain to replace a well damaged by Hurricanes Florence and Matthew. Additionally, $15 million will go to install one 250,000-gallon elevated water tank, a booster pump station, a deep-water supply well and extended waterlines for more than 500 homes in the Waccamaw Siouan Tribal Area.
Other projects include the following:
- “Kings Mountain (Gaston County) will receive $2 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Drinking Water funds for a lead and copper service line replacement project.
- “The Town of Nags Head (Dare County) will receive $500,000 in Clean Water State Revolving Loan Funds to finance repairs and replacements to approximately 400 malfunctioning residential septic systems. This is the first award from the Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System Pilot Program.
- “The Town of River Bend (Craven County) will receive $10.4 million in Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds to complete improvements to water treatment systems and water supply wells.
- “Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District (Halifax County) will receive $5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for Emerging Contaminants to begin work on constructing a post-filter granular activated carbon adsorption facility to remove PFAS from its drinking water.
- “Bessemer City (Gaston County) will receive $2.5 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Lead Service Line Replacement funds to replace approximately 150 galvanized water service lines with new water service lines, from the water main to the homes.”
All of the projects selected can be found on NCDEQ’s website.
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