County narrows water‑supply options; financial model and Local Government Commission review next

Johnston County commissioners on July 21 received an update on the county’s water‑supply options study and were told staff and consultants will complete a coordinated financial model with the Town of Clayton and seek Local Government Commission (LGC) concurrence before advancing the long‑term project.

Project staff said the long‑term solution (a new treatment plant and transmission infrastructure drawing from the Cape Fear basin) remains part of the county’s plan, but interim purchases of treated capacity from nearby utilities would reduce near‑term rate impacts while staff finalizes governance and finance arrangements with Clayton and other partners.

JD Solman, the county’s project lead on the water study, said affordability is the central objective. “Affordability is really what we’re trying to drive at,” Solman said, and he told…