NEW HANOVER COUNTY — A report quantity of state funding was divvied up between 86 counties for water and wastewater infrastructure tasks late final month.

Of the $789.four million doled out, New Hanover County obtained $1.1 million for tasks in its three seaside cities.

Cape Worry Public Utility Authority and Wrightsville Seashore obtained $400,000. CFPUA utilized for a feasibility mission grant in April to cowl prices of a merger examine with Wrightsville Seashore.

Following points with the seaside city’s water provide and capability starting in 2019, the city discontinued use of effectively No. 11. CFPUA gave Wrightsville Seashore a three-year discounted deal to switch roughly 20% of city water sourced from the closed down supply.

READ MORE: Wrightsville Seashore and CFPUA arrive at deal to bolster city’s water provide

A part of that settlement included the consideration of the 2 entities becoming a member of forces.

“The chance for a merger of the City’s water and sewer utility with CFPUA has been mentioned on and off for a lot of years,” City Supervisor Tim Owens mentioned.

The collaboration would finally put CFPUA accountable for Wrightsville Seashore’s water operations, which it at present receives from wells. It might take a couple of years for the method to be full.

The awarded grant cash will look at all elements from financials and debt service to infrastructure and capital enchancment wants.

On the southern finish of the county on Pleasure Island, Carolina Seashore was additionally awarded $400,000 for its water and sewer resiliency evaluation mission.

The city plans to make use of the funds towards bills for the wastewater therapy plant’s new headworks, to cut back pollution to a stage allowable for discharge right into a waterway. The cash additionally would bankroll an engineering examine for water system upgrades. In keeping with the city’s finances, each tasks are essential to the long-term well being of the city’s water and sewer infrastructure.

Additionally situated on Pleasure Island, Kure Seashore was awarded $300,000.

As famous throughout a February council assembly, Kure wants to switch and improve its raise station management panels, rehab sewer mains and manholes, take away sludge from the wastewater lagoon for cleaner wastewater processing, exchange water traces in resident’s again yards, exchange water valves at present not operable and full a stormwater mission.

In keeping with finance and finances officer Arlen Copenhaver, the cash might be used for evaluation and a systemwide asset stock.

“This may allow the city to raised determine and prioritize vital water and sewer capital tasks and strategically and effectively direct funds to implement these tasks,” she mentioned.

Grant funds cowl inspections of wells, distribution traces, valves and storage tanks, in addition to air-release manholes, raise station, waste administration services. It additionally funds GIS mapping and growing a water system asset database, and capital enchancment plan for each water and sewer programs.

The Division of Environmental High quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure obtained greater than 700 purposes from 94 of North Carolina’s 100 counties for the grants. The requests exceeded greater than $3.1 billion.

In whole, the grant cash launched in late July will assist pay for 385 tasks, together with 140 building tasks and serve 86 counties. The subsequent spherical of funding, totaling $119 million, is open for purposes till Sept. 30.

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