North Carolina Wastewater Project Funding: $223M Approved, More Available

Communities across North Carolina are receiving $223M for drinking water and North Carolina wastewater projects.

The funding, which Governor Roy Cooper announced earlier this year, will support 60 projects in 40 counties, including 41 construction projects. In total, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure reviewed 338 applications submitted by 83 of the 100 counties in North Carolina.

Among the recipients of the funding are:

• Aqua North Carolina, Inc., an investor-owned public water utility will receive up to approximately $3.4 million in loans to install PFAS treatment units at their Brookwood, Wyntree, and Willow Hill water systems.
• Cape Fear Public Utility Authority will receive up to $35 million in loans for a project to replace and expand its Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant, including the addition of a new activated sludge treatment process. 
• Town of Beech Mountain in Watauga County will receive up to $3 million in loans to rehabilitate and replace a major portion of its sewer collection system that has caused sanitary sewer overflows at the Pond Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and in watersheds that are classified as water supply sources.

Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth S. Bisner said, “With each funding round, we continue to see that the need for infrastructure funding is far greater than the funding available. DEQ is focused on providing funding to the communities that need it most to address aging infrastructure, PFAS contamination, and access to affordable clean water and sewer service.”

Over the past two years, the state has invested approximately $2.8 B in water and North Carolina wastewater infrastructure. Funding sources include State Revolving Funds (SRF) to provide low-interest loans and Principal Forgiveness loans. Funding from the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure program also provides grants to fund wastewater and drinking water projects in areas that meet the U.S. Housing and Urban Development low-to-moderate income threshold. In addition to the SRF funds typically available, this summer’s funding announcement included $58.9 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) general supplemental funds.

Deadline for Fall Funding Applications Approaches

With low-interest loans and grants available for local governments and certain other non-profit entities to support water infrastructure needs, applications are again being accepted through October 2, 2023. Information to apply for funding can be found on the North Carolina Environmental Quality website: DEQ

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.