Water and Sewer Infrastructure Investments
Summary
The board authorized the $4.3 million grant application for the first phase of bringing treated water to western Pender County, from Highway 11 to the Sampson County line. Residents have waited years and want updates every meeting.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 12
- Last 30 days
- 3
Rising — discussed at 4 meetings since Sep 21, 2026, up from 3 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
A $4.3 million first-phase grant application; multiple phases to follow.
Western Pender residents who have long lacked treated public water.
Residents along Mill Branch fear wetland destruction, forced hookups, and water contamination.
Mentions & discussions (12)
Board of County Commissioners - Nov 2, 2026
A resident revealed a county utilities proposal that would run sewage lines through the middle of Mill Branch and Moore's Creek near Atkinson, and warned it would destroy a heavily timbered wetland basin. He wants the lines placed along existing state right-of-way instead.
Planning Board - Oct 6, 2026
Staff reported the Commissioners approved a new 1.5-million-gallon Pluris wastewater plant, bringing combined capacity to 4.5 million gallons a day, with data showing committed and projected flows near 2 million gallons a day.
Board of County Commissioners - Oct 5, 2026
The board authorized the $4.3 million grant application for the first phase of bringing treated water to western Pender County, from Highway 11 to the Sampson County line. Residents have waited years and want updates every meeting.
Board of County Commissioners - Sep 21, 2026
Several big water and sewer items were on the agenda: a $1.17 million well filtration contract, grant paperwork for the West Pender Water Project, updated system specifications, and Topsail Township sewer facility hearings.
Board of County Commissioners - Aug 3, 2026
Nearly $843,000 in fiscal year 2027 contracts for water treatment chemicals — ferric sulfate, sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, aluminum sulfate, and activated carbon — were scheduled for approval. These keep the county's drinking water systems running.
Board of County Commissioners - Jul 21, 2026
Citizens pressed for more water service and low-income housing. Commissioner Groves said Rep. David Rouzer's office indicated federal funding may be available if the county develops a plan, and he asked the manager a second time to start one.
Board of County Commissioners - Jul 13, 2026
The county committed $900,000 across three suppliers to keep water meters flowing — 800-900 meters are installed or replaced each year.
Board of County Commissioners - Jun 15, 2026
Speaker after speaker pressed for extending water lines to residents without service; Commissioner Groves defended earlier statements that sparse lines can't cover their own cost.
Board of County Commissioners - May 4, 2026
Three public commenters and two commissioners raised water issues — from countywide 'water for all' to low pressure at 280 River Landing Drive in Maple Hill.
Board of County Commissioners - Apr 7, 2026
The county approved a $581,975 budget amendment and an amended agreement raising its year-two payment from $1.5 million to nearly $1.9 million for the 10-mile parallel raw water line. An investigation into the project is ongoing; insurance will cover $250,000.
Board of County Commissioners - Mar 2, 2026
Commissioner Groves pressed for extending water service to Shaw Highway and McCrary Road, and for residents who paid years ago and still have no water.
Board of County Commissioners - Jan 5, 2026
Springer flagged that the county pays LCFWS about $30,000 a month and pressed for a plan to stop buying water from outside sources.
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