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Residents, nonprofits press city for testing and fixes after ongoing South Side water complaints
Summary
Public commenters urged the city to address persistent water quality concerns in the South Side neighborhood, called for regular independent testing, and asked the council to coordinate with Southwest Renewal Foundation and other partners on sewer, pipe and cleanup work.
Residents and community leaders asked the High Point City Council to take concrete steps to address persistent tap-water concerns in the South Side neighborhood, urging a coordinated plan that includes regular independent testing and infrastructure repairs.
At the public-comment portion of the meeting, Elma Hairston said she attended a South Side community meeting where residents reported not drinking tap water and urged the city, Southwest Renewal Foundation, Guilford County and regional partners to “come together to rectify this problem.” Hairston also cited pollution from upstream industrial facilities and localized human waste in Richland Creek as community concerns.
“This is family,” Hairston said. “Let's focus on the people of the South Side community and develop a plan that remedies the water problem.”
Joe Barnes, pastor at Victory Chapel, asked the council to treat the water issue as urgent because of vulnerable populations in the neighborhood, including students at nearby Fairview Elementary School and seniors. Barnes described community cleanup efforts and said residents are participating in clean-sweep efforts while asking the city to accelerate repair work and testing.
Representatives of the Southwest Renewal Foundation thanked the council for past cooperation and described ongoing projects addressing water quality, litter abatement, walkability, public art and quality-of-life improvements. Dorothy Darr, executive director of the Southwest Renewal Foundation, and Willa Mayes, chair of the foundation's board, both said the organization is collaborating with city staff and grant partners to speed improvements and requested continued partnership.
The council acknowledged the comments and said the city manager and staff are working to address the issues raised; the transcript records that the director of public services, Robbie Stone, had met with neighborhood leaders to discuss water and debris concerns.
Speakers requested specific actions including: quarterly independent testing and reporting to property owners; formation of an action committee to coordinate sewer and pipe repairs and testing; and continued support for grant-funded projects that can accelerate neighborhood improvements.
