WILMINGTON — The local water authority has received millions from water and wastewater infrastructure funding and stormwater planning loans, as announced by the governor Wednesday.
READ MORE: CFPUA: Costs rise for construction of new wastewater treatment facility, now topping $250M
Gov. Roy Cooper announced $238 million from Drinking Water (DWSRF) and Clean Water (CWSRF) State Revolving Funds, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The money will help more than a hundred projects in 52 counties statewide, including 28 construction projects, come to fruition.
One is for Cape Fear Public Utility Authority’s new Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant, which received $35,000,000. It was the largest sum given out among the 114 funded projects.
“This funding will help communities across the state access clean drinking water and set up critical infrastructures to better prepare for the future,” Cooper said in a press release. “We have seen the positive impact these grants have made, and it is important for us to continue to provide more aid, especially for communities dealing with the impacts of forever chemicals.”
CFPUA’s Southside plant, which is 51 years old and has undergone numerous uplifts and repairs in the last five decades, needs replacement in order to expand treatment capacity from 12 million gallons of wastewater per day to 16 MGD. This plant takes in most of the wastewater from the city proper and southern portions of the community.
Construction of a new plant has been estimated to come in at $239 million; engineering costs will be $7.3 million additionally.
According to CFPUA, the rate schedule has risen by 4.6% — roughly $3 — since last July due to the costs associated with the Southside Plant replacement.
Its construction, located at 3436 River Road, should begin sometime this year or early 2025 and will include new infrastructure and technology. Existing service will not be impacted by the build-out.
The Southside project was also the recipient of $35 million in state funds last year.
Also receiving funding from the loans are the Bald Head Island SW LASII Planning in Brunswick County, which received $350,000. In Pender County, Rocky Point Topsail Water and Sewer District received $400,00 to conduct a PFAS treatment alternatives study.
[The piece has been updated to clarify the Drinking Water (DWSRF) and Clean Water (CWSRF) State Revolving Funds are loans, not grants. PCD regrets the error.]
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