Construction kickoff set for Ivanhoe water project after $13.3 million state grant; completion required by Dec. 31, 2026

Sampson County staff and consultants told commissioners the long-planned Ivanhoe potable water extension is entering construction after state funding and permit approvals, with a county-commissioned timeline that requires building to finish by Dec. 31, 2026.

David Ralph of Dewberry provided the update and said the project received a $13,300,000 grant from the Division of Water Infrastructure on Aug. 24, 2022. The grant was prepared with assistance from the county’s public works department and ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding was noted as an enabling funding source that made a previously non-feasible project economically viable.

Ralph described the project components as water main extensions tying Ivanhoe into the existing Sampson County water system near Ingold, a booster pump station and a backup generator. He said survey work covered “40 some odd miles” of water main, the project followed a traditional design–bid–build delivery, and that multiple permitting agencies reviewed the project, with final permit approvals granted in August 2024.

Ralph told the board that the state requires a minimum of three bids for the project; the initial two advertisements produced two bids and required re-advertisement. Bids were opened Oct. 17, 2024; a tentative award was recommended to contractor Herring Robinbark and the Division of Water Infrastructure provided authority to award on Feb. 12, 2025. Ralph said the project held a preconstruction kickoff meeting the prior week and that initial construction activity would focus on material procurement, laydown yard selection and limited site work before full work is underway.

Ralph said construction must be complete by Dec. 31, 2026, per funding conditions. He said he or county staff (Emma, Jean, and others) will return with monthly construction updates for the board and that project maps, videos and updates are being posted to the Sampson County website.

Ralph also briefly updated other water projects: a landfill-area water-main extension with survey completed and permits anticipated to be submitted by April 1, 2025, and emerging-contaminant (PFAS/PFOA) projects in the Old Warsaw Road and Mince Highway areas for which the state’s DEQ funding cycle was opening and applications are due April 30, 2025. Ralph said DEQ conducted much of the PFAS testing in the county and that residents wishing to have wells tested could contact DEQ for testing.

During public comment and follow-up, residents from Roseboro and Lakewood School Road raised continued concern about PFAS contamination and the durability and cost of point-of-use filtration systems, saying filters had required replacement far sooner than expected and that state supports for filters and bottled water appeared to be running out. County staff acknowledged the concerns and said staff would return with updates on funding applications and project timing.

Clarifying details from the briefing included the grant award date (Aug. 24, 2022), permit approval timeline (approved Aug. 2024), bid-opening date (Oct. 17, 2024), authority to award date (Feb. 12, 2025), contractor tentative award (Herring Robinbark) and construction completion deadline (Dec. 31, 2026). Ralph said he will provide monthly construction progress reports to the board while work is underway.