Harnett Regional Water presents Saint Matthews line bid, PFAS pilot loan acceptance and Fuquay Varina interlocal transfer plan

Harnett Regional Water (HRW) staff asked the board to add several utility items to the consent agenda: an award recommendation for the Saint Matthews Road waterline project, acceptance of a state drinking water revolving fund principal forgiveness loan to pay for a PFAS pilot study, and an interlocal agreement to transfer system assets in the Fuquay Varina urban service area to the town.

Sean Byrd, interim director of Harnett Regional Water, presented the Saint Matthews Road Waterline Project, a Fiscal Year 2025 capital-improvement-project item. Byrd said the work covers about 2,030 linear feet of 8-inch waterline (with appurtenances) and a 12-inch casing; three bids were received and the apparent low bid was $229,283. Byrd recommended a 5 percent contingency of $11,464 and an additional $75,000 for engineering and design work to support planned sewer improvements. He said the water and sewer work is funded with a $1,000,000 ARPA grant and HRW reserves. Byrd said the engineer estimates sewer bid opening for the sewer improvements around August 2025.

"This project is in the FY25 CIP. It involves 2,030 linear feet of 8-inch waterline ... Winning bid was 229, uh,283. We're requesting a 5% contingency in the amount of $11,464 and a $75,000 in additional engineering and design services for sewer improvements," Byrd said.

On the PFAS pilot study, Byrd said the county received an offer from the State Revolving Fund for an "emerging contaminants principal forgiveness loan" that would pay 100 percent of a PFAS pilot study at the water treatment plant. Byrd explained that the study will determine the treatment structures and equipment needed to comply with forthcoming EPA drinking-water standards for PFAS; Byrd said all facilities must comply by 2029.

For the interlocal agreement, staff described a 2003 agreement that sets terms for annexation and transfer of Northwest Water and Sewer District assets within the Fuquay Varina urban service area. Staff said Fuquay Varina will not purchase the county's water meters, which are incompatible with the towns system, and will assume responsibility for distribution assets after transfer day. The presentation, citing an engineering valuation by Hazen and Sawyer, indicated Fuquay Varina will pay Harnett County (as the district representative) an amount listed in the packet; the transcript lists the dollar figure as "2,795,000,000," which staff did not clarify during the presentation. Staff said the transfer is expected to occur no later than January 2027; current customers in the Fuquay Varina urban service area number about 600 and will begin paying Fuquay Varina after the transfer.

Staff told the board that a separate water and sewer district meeting will be convened next week to approve the transfer from the district's side and that a later district resolution will adjust the districts boundary lines.

Commissioners asked several clarifying questions about town involvement, ownership, and the operational impact of the transfer; staff said HRW will continue to supply capacity under existing supply agreements but that once the lines pass the county line they will be the town's maintenance responsibility. Each item was added to the consent agenda for later formal consideration.