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Residents press for faster fixes as council seeks SRF money for water-system repairs
Summary
Multiple residents told council they have low water pressure and questioned contractor licensing; council approved a resolution to apply to the State Revolving Fund for water-system improvements and directed staff to pursue engineering scope and funding.
Several Black Mountain residents used the Oct. 13 public-comment period to press the Town Council for faster action on persistent low water pressure and concerns about contractor oversight.
Resident Gary Bartlett told council he recorded household pressure as low as 4 psi during high-demand periods and said the town's contracted operator offered to install pumps but was not licensed to operate a public water system, based on Bartlett’s checks of the North Carolina licensing board and DEQ. “Are we paying a contractor $70,000 a year for a service they can't provide?” Bartlett asked. Another resident, John Collins, reported ongoing low pressure and requested updated timetables for repairs.
Council later approved a resolution to apply to the North Carolina State Revolving Fund (SRF) for water-system improvements. Town staff and consulting engineer McGill Engineering described a preliminary scope that could include watershed work, new or relocated municipal wells and relocation of vulnerable water lines; engineering estimates discussed in the meeting suggested multi‑million‑dollar needs, though final amounts will depend on detailed site work and studies.
Town staff said the SRF application is time-sensitive and that McGill — which prepared multiple successful SRF applicants in the region — will prepare the town’s submission. Council members asked staff to prioritize dispersal of water sources and to avoid concentrating new wells in the existing watershed; staff said site selection and feasibility are subject to professional hydrogeologic review. The council approved the SRF resolution and asked staff to return with application materials.
Ending: The town intends to pursue SRF and other hazard-mitigation grant opportunities while addressing short-term operational problems. Residents who spoke asked for clearer timelines and stronger contractor oversight; staff pledged follow-up and engineering studies to define projects and costs.
