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County tables $695,000 reclaimed‑water consultant contract after questions on cost and timing
Summary
A proposed $695,000 two‑phase professional services agreement with Arcadis (ordinance rewrite + master plan) was presented; commissioners raised concerns about price, 600‑day timetable and who would pay infrastructure costs. The board voted to table the item until its next meeting for additional information.
Brunswick County staff on July 21 asked the Board of Commissioners to authorize a $695,000 professional‑services agreement with Arcadis of North Carolina to (1) draft a revised reclaimed‑water ordinance and (2) produce a reclaimed‑water master plan to guide residential and other non‑potable reuse applications.
Utilities staff described reclaimed water as highly treated wastewater suitable for non‑potable irrigation and industrial uses and said expanded reuse could reduce potable‑water demand and lessen the need for large effluent‑disposal spray fields. “One major opportunity of this revision in the ordinance will give us the chance to investigate the use of reclaimed water for residential irrigation,” Utilities Director Lakhami said.
Commissioners pressed staff on cost, implementation, who would pay for transmission and whether new builds or existing neighborhoods would be covered. Commissioner Thompson pointed out the contract timeline in the packet (about 600 days total) and questioned why the work would take that long and cost nearly $700,000. Several commissioners asked for legal review and comparisons with other North Carolina counties that have reuse programs.
Staff said the proposed two‑phase contract divides ordinance and study work (approximately $395,000) from the full master plan ($300,000) and that the consultant would include public‑education and funding scenarios in the master plan. Staff also said they would not proceed with master‑plan work unless the board approved the ordinance recommendations.
Outcome: The board voted to table the Arcadis professional‑services agreement until the next meeting so staff could provide additional details about cost, scope, legal issues and whether the approach is feasible for new development and existing neighborhoods.
Why it matters: Reclaimed‑water systems can reduce potable‑water demand, ease wastewater‑disposal needs and reduce the footprint of spray fields, but they require up‑front engineering, distribution infrastructure and clear funding rules; commissioners wanted more detail before committing consultant funds.
