NC awarded more than $200 million for drinking water, wastewater infrastructure projects

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects across North Carolina received state funding totaling more than $200 million, Gov. Josh Stein said Wednesday.

According to the governor’s office, 48 projects in 27 counties were awarded a portion of the funding. The funding will seek to improve the infrastructure of drinking water and wastewater and their resiliency after storms. It also intends to address forever chemicals, including PFAS, and identify and replace lead pipes.

The governor’s office said some of the notable projects awarded in central North Carolina include:

• $20.5 million to the Fayetteville Public Works Commission for funding of the P.O. Hoffer / Glenville Lake Water Treatment Plant Granulated Activated Carbon facility
• $10.7 million to the City of Henderson for the Sandy Creek Pump Station and Force Main project
• $10 million to the Town of Warrentown for the fourth phase of the Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements project
• $7.3 million to the City of Sanford for the Dry Creek Basin Sewer Rehabilitation project
• $1 million each to the City of Sanford for the Sanford/TriRiver Water/Chatham County and Sanford/TriRiver Water/Siler City Lead Service Line Inventory projects
• $5.5 million to Carolina Water Service, Inc. for six projects in Cumberland, Gaston, Moore, and Pender counties that will involve PFAS/forever chemicals, lead service line identification, or water line-related funding

A full list of the projects that received funding can be viewed on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Website.

The funding was provided by the State Revolving Funds, including funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, according to the governor’s office.

“When you turn on the faucet in your home, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether that water is safe for your family,” Stein said in a statement. “These investments will help ensure North Carolinians have access to clean drinking water and will help keep people safe when disaster strikes.”

NCDEQ Secretary Reid Wilson said in a statement, “At DEQ, we’re committed to ensuring everyone in North Carolina has access to clean water. This funding will address aging infrastructure and improve public health for communities large and small.”

Cumberland County received a total of $34.6 million in funding, according to officials.

“I want to thank Gov. Stein, Secretary Wilson, and the State Water Infrastructure Authority for this $34.6 million investment—making Cumberland County one of the largest recipients statewide,” Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chair Kirk deViere said in a statement. “We are deeply grateful for the state’s unwavering commitment to ensuring all our residents have access to clean, safe drinking water.

“This investment brings us a significant step closer to ensuring that no Cumberland County family has to worry about the safety of their water when they turn on the tap,” he continued in his statement.