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County hears update on generational water plan; consultant flags affordability squeeze by 2030
Summary
Consultant JD Solomon and Utility Director Chandra Farmer briefed commissioners on a long‑range Lower Neuse water supply project, a proposed treatment plant and major pipelines estimated at roughly $700 million, and near‑term options to bridge an anticipated supply gap around 2030.
Commissioners received an update March 17 on a multi‑decade plan to develop a new water treatment facility and transmission system intended to provide Johnston County’s water supply through mid‑century.
JD Solomon, the county’s independent consultant on short‑term options, described the long‑term program as “generational,” saying it “will give us water supply through 2050, and it comes with a price tag of about $700,000,000 right now.” Solomon said his immediate task is to re‑examine the business case and highlight affordability and timing options so the county and its municipal partners can make informed choices.
Solomon and county staff told the board the county faces a potential supply shortfall in the early 2030s. Solomon said some intermediate — lower‑cost or temporary — options identified in earlier planning could buy time, but staff must confirm what wholesale capacity municipal partners can guarantee for specific years.
Chandra Farmer, the county’s utility director, outlined project work already underway: hydraulic modeling; owner’s project criteria development with HDR; preliminary permitting including an anticipated NPDES discharge permit; and financial modeling with Willdan and Davenport. Farmer said the county has regulatory approval for a proposed withdrawal point from the Neuse River at Richardson Bridge Road and that the rate‑modeling work will separate cost drivers tied to a new supply project from ongoing system costs such as labor, chemicals and inflation.
Farmer summarized the timeline: the county projects it needs roughly 5 million gallons per day of additional capacity by 2030 and that a new treatment plant built starting this summer would likely take five to six years to bring online. She emphasized water and sewer are enterprise (utility) funds, not general‑fund projects, and that impacts will fall on water customers, both retail and municipal bulk customers. “This is not general fund money here,” a county official said during discussion.
Commissioners asked about legislative options and whether changes at the General Assembly could alter funding or regulatory constraints. Solomon said there are possible legislative fixes but cautioned they are uncertain and may not arrive in time to avoid interim capacity needs.
Staff said the next steps include finishing JD Solomon’s short‑term options memo, completing financial modeling, meeting with municipal wholesale customers to clarify capacity commitments, and returning to the board with a digestible summary for public discussion and rate planning.
No formal action was taken at the March 17 meeting; the presentations were informational and staff scheduled follow‑ups with commissioners and municipal partners.
