North Carolina will invest more than $244 million in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure through grants and low-interest loans supporting 45 applications across the state, with funding directed toward modernizing aging systems, improving water quality and strengthening utility infrastructure.
The State Water Infrastructure Authority (SWIA) approved the investment during its July 15 meeting. Funding will be administered through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Infrastructure. This round’s funding comes from the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure program, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding, the IIJA Emerging Contaminants (PFAS) Fund and the IIJA Lead Service Line Replacement Fund.
The approvals will support a variety of water projects, including drinking water improvements, water and sewer line replacements, wastewater treatment plant upgrades and lead service line replacements. Other projects support PFAS treatment, resiliency improvements and system modernization.
About $44 million of the funding will support drinking water and wastewater projects in western North Carolina as communities continue recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Among the largest awards were:
- $35 million to the City of Hendersonville for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Flood Mitigation project in Henderson County.
- $26.6 million to the City of Graham for the Graham-Mebane Water Treatment Plant Reliability project in Alamance County.
- $25 million to TriRiver Water for the Sanford-Pittsboro Water Transmission project in Lee County.
- $16.5 million to the Fayetteville Public Works Commission for Rockfish Creek Water Reclamation Facility Expansion Phase 3 in Cumberland County.
- $14.4 million to the Fayetteville Public Works Commission for Lift Station Electrical Upgrades in Cumberland County.
- $13.7 million to Nash County for Northern Nash Water System Phase 3.
- $13.4 million to the Town of Newport for Water Treatment Plant Improvements and Replacement Water Plant in Carteret County.
- $10.1 million to the Village of Simpson for Wastewater Collection System Improvements in Pitt County.
The SWIA was created by state statute in 2013 as an independent body that reviews applications and awards federal and state funding for water infrastructure projects. The SWIA’s nine members are also tasked with creating a state water infrastructure master plan.
The authority generally makes its primary drinking water and wastewater funding awards through spring and fall application rounds. Applications are reviewed by the DEQ’s Division of Water Infrastructure before funding recommendations are presented to the authority for approval.
A fall 2026 funding round will begin Aug. 4, with applications due by Sept. 30.
Photo by Orhan Akbaba from Pexels
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