NC Communities Awarded $282 Million for Water and Sewer Improvement Projects

RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper announced today $282 million in loans and grants to help pay for 94 drinking water and wastewater projects statewide. 

The project funding was approved at the State Water Infrastructure Authority’s Feb. 10 meeting. The 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.

 “North Carolina’s communities need resilient, viable water infrastructure systems to support economic development. Funding these projects helps counties and towns with aging water infrastructure deliver clean, safe water to attract new jobs and keep people healthy,” said Governor Cooper. 

Notable projects in the latest funding round include:

• Brunswick County will receive a $2,852,818 State Reserve grant to pay for extensive rehabilitation of the sewer system in Navassa. Brunswick County will also receive $2,218,967 through a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan, with 100 percent principal forgiveness, for extensive rehabilitation of Navassa’s drinking water system. Navassa recently consolidated with Brunswick County.
• Lumberton, in Robeson County, will receive $2,316,900 through Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (ASADRA) principal forgiveness loan funding to construct three wells outside the flood plain, replacing three wells in the flood plain that are subject to flooding. 
• Davie County will receive $21,123,807 in funding to expand its Cooleemee Water Treatment Plant, promoting regionalization and replacing Mocksville’s Hugh A. Lagle Water Treatment Plant.
• Goldsboro, in Wayne County, will receive $1,268,000 in ASADRA principal forgiveness loan funding to consolidate the Big Cherry Pump Station and relocate the Little Cherry Pump Station out of the 100-year flood plain. 

A list of all projects funded statewide by town and/or county is available at Feb. 2021 State Water Infrastructure Authority Funding Award Summary.

The grants and loans are funded through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan program, Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program, the Drinking Water and Wastewater State Reserve programs, and through the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (or ASADRA). ASADRA funding provides for resilience-focused projects at drinking water facilities and wastewater treatment works impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Michael. The state provided more than $17 million in required matching funds. Awards this round also include asset inventory and…