WILMINGTON — Local resistance against a proposed upstream water diversion is intensifying as more than 1,900 public comments were officially forwarded to state regulators Thursday.
The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority delivered the cache of resident feedback to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, signaling a surge in local opposition to Fuquay-Varina’s request to pull millions of gallons of water daily from the Cape Fear River. The 1,900 submissions join 325 comments previously received by the state earlier this month. Public comments are still being accepted through April 1.
READ MORE: ‘Borrow and return’: CFPUA warns Fuquay-Varina water plan threatens Cape Fear River
Fuquay-Varina is seeking an Interbasin Transfer (IBT) certificate to take 6.17 million gallons of water per day from the Cape Fear River. After treatment and use by the town’s residents, the wastewater would be discharged into the Neuse River Basin. This process would permanently remove the volume of water from the flow available to downstream communities from Fayetteville to Wilmington.
According to CFPUA, the 6.17 million gallons requested is enough to provide treated drinking water to more than 27,000 homes. CFPUA and local leaders argue this permanent loss increases the risk of water shortages during droughts and creates a dangerous precedent for other upstream communities looking to satisfy growth at the expense of the Lower Cape Fear.
Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo has been vocal in his opposition, urging residents to speak up for future generations.
“Our community has never backed down when it comes to protecting our water—and we can’t start now,” Saffo said. “The Cape Fear River, which so many of us depend on for reliable drinking water, is facing a decision with long-term consequences for downstream communities.”
Wilmington City Council, along with boards of commissioners in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, and Cumberland counties, have all passed formal resolutions opposing the IBT request. Other municipalities joining the opposition include Southport, Wrightsville Beach, Holden Beach, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, and Oak Island.
CFPUA Board Chairman Wesley P. Corder echoed the sentiment, stating the state must reject the plan.
“The State must say ‘NO’ to Fuquay-Varina’s plan to satisfy its growing water needs as cheaply as possibly by permanently taking more than six million gallons of water every day from our primary drinking water source,” Corder said.
Public comments on the plan are being accepted until April 1. Residents can submit feedback via CFPUA’s online form.
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