Infrastructure investments play a crucial role in ensuring access to clean drinking water and strengthening communities for the long term. According to DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson, these projects will improve public health and enhance the quality of life for residents statewide.
Key projects include a $2 million investment in Kings Mountain for replacing lead and copper service lines, and a $1 million allocation to the Town of Fair Bluff for constructing a well outside the 500-year floodplain to replace one damaged by hurricanes. In Dare County, Nags Head will receive $500,000 to repair and replace nearly 400 malfunctioning septic systems under the Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System Pilot Program.
New Hanover County will receive $3 million to install water lines and connect 50 residential units to the system, while River Bend in Craven County will secure $10.4 million for improvements to water treatment systems and supply wells. Columbus County Water District IV will benefit from a $15 million investment to install a water tank, booster pump station, deep-water supply well, and extend water lines to serve over 500 residences in the Waccamaw Siouan Tribal Area.
The Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District in Halifax County will receive $5 million to construct a post-filter granular activated carbon adsorption facility designed to remove PFAS from drinking water. Meanwhile, Bessemer City will see $2.5 million allocated to replace approximately 150 galvanized water service lines to ensure safer water distribution.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) reviewed 203 eligible applications requesting a total of $1.63 billion, with the State Water Infrastructure Authority approving the awards in its Feb. 19 meeting.
Funding sources for this round include the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Loan Funds, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emerging Contaminants and Lead Service Line Replacement funds, the Drinking Water and Wastewater State Reserves, the Viable Utilities Reserve, and the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure program. Projects funded through the Viable Utility Reserve require Local Government Commission approval.
Applications for the upcoming Spring 2025 funding cycle for drinking water, wastewater, lead service line, and emerging contaminant projects will open on March 4, and close on April 30 at 5 p.m. Training for this funding round will be offered in person across four statewide locations and via a recorded virtual session.
