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Clinton water plant wins state taste contest; city to dig service lines for lead and copper inventory
Summary
The Clinton water production plant was recognized for winning first place in the North Carolina Rural Water Association taste contest and city staff said a contractor will hydro‑dig roughly 400 service line locations over the next months to complete a state-required lead and copper inventory.
The Clinton water production plant was recognized July 1 after taking first place in the North Carolina Rural Water Association water‑tasting contest, and city staff said a contractor will begin hydro‑digging behind meter boxes over the next months to complete a state lead and copper inventory.
City officials told the council that Travis Anderson, the plant superintendent, and Steve Matthews, a senior operator, helped the plant earn the statewide award. City staff said the win means an invitation in February 2026 to the National Rural Water Association’s national contest in Washington, D.C.
A city presenter said the plant’s practices are frequently cited by state inspectors. “In years past, we’ve had top 3, top 5 finishes, but this year, I’m proud to say that we brought home first place in the state,” the presenter told the council. The speaker also noted that a recent visit by Congressman Murphy included praise for the facility’s water quality.
Separately, Public Works staff told the council that contractors will use hydro‑excavation to inspect service lines “behind meter boxes” as part of a lead and copper inventory required by the state. “Out of [the state] formula they come up with roughly, it’s gonna be for us about 400 that we have to go dig up,” said Mr. Medlin, a city staff member who presented the inventory plan. Staff said they will leave door hangers at affected residences in advance and maintain an alternates list of 50–80 addresses to avoid disturbing landscaping.
City staff said the inventory process stems from federal requirements tied to COVID era funding attestation and later state rules. Staff described the work as an early phase of a larger, multi‑step compliance process and said homeowners will receive advance notice before any excavation work.
The council did not take a vote on the inventory plan; staff presented it as an informational report and asked residents to contact the city with questions.
