Towns net share of $789M in water, sewer grants

“Clean drinking water is necessary for healthy families and thriving communities and businesses,” Cooper said. “The historic level of investment provided by the American Rescue Plan will help increase resiliency, support economic growth in our state and improve access to clean water in the communities that need it most.”

The town of Mount Olive has been approved to receive $6.6 million in funding, including a $6.1 million loan and $500,000 in principal forgiveness for improvements to the town’s wastewater treatment plant.

The town of Fremont will receive nearly $4.5 million in grant funds for a pump station and sewer rehabilitation. Pikeville will receive a $506,025 grant for a sewer asset inventory and assessment and a $74,500 grant for a water asset inventory and assessment.

Water asset inventory and assessment grants have also been awarded to the Fork Township Sanitary District, $400,000; Belfast-Patetown Sanitary District, $360,000; Southeastern Wayne Sanitary District, $380,000; Southwestern Wayne Sanitary District, $120,000; Eastern Wayne Sanitary District, $400,000; and Northwestern Wayne Sanitary District, $280,000.

The city of Goldsboro was approved to receive a $300,200 study grant for design fees from the state Drinking Water Reserve Project, according to the governor’s office.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure received more than 700 applications from 94 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, requesting more than $3.1 billion.

Several projects will provide water connections in underserved or disadvantaged communities, including Sampson County, which will receive nearly $13.3 million to provide water system connections for the community of Ivanhoe; Nash County, which will receive nearly $12.8 million to extend water lines to connect Nash County Area II and Northern Nash water systems; and Edgecombe County, which will receive more than $1.1 million to install water lines and 20 new services to disadvantaged areas.

“These funds will replace aging infrastructure and help utilities remain viable, which benefits the health and economic well-being of communities across our state,” said DEQ Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser.

The State Water Infrastructure Authority approved the awards during its July 14 meeting.

In addition to ARP funding, the grants and loans also came from the Viable Utility Reserve, the Drinking Water and Wastewater State Reserves and the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds.

Projects funded from the Viable Utility Reserve are conditional upon approval by the Local Government Commission.

The Fremont pump station and sewer rehabilitation grant and Pikeville sewer asset inventory and assessment grants are from the Viable Utility Reserve.

The State Water Infrastructure Authority is an independent body with primary responsibility for awarding federal and state funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Other responsibilities include developing a state water infrastructure master plan, recommending ways to maximize the use of available loan and grant funding resources, and examining best and emerging practices.

The application period for the next round of funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, which will include the first ARPA stormwater funding, ends Sept. 30.