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Sampson County accepts $1.255 million state grant to drill test wells, hears progress on 10 water projects
Summary
The county commissioners voted to accept a $1,255,000 Directed Projects grant for test and production wells and received an update on ten ongoing water projects, including a near-complete treatment plant and plans to buy additional capacity from Dunn.
The Sampson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept a $1,255,000 grant offer under the 2023 appropriation act to drill a test well and production well as part of a project to expand the county’s public water supply.
The grant acceptance, moved and seconded during the meeting and described in staff comments as part of a larger $6 million package obtained with assistance from state Sen. Brent Jackson, authorizes the county manager to execute related documents and directs the county to give assurances to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality that grant conditions will be met.
The board heard a detailed update on multiple water projects. County staff said 10 projects are active in various phases: some are under construction, some in permitting and design, and some at the grant-application stage. A water treatment plant near NC 403 is near completion, with staff estimating startup within two weeks after contractors finish leak repairs. A Midway booster pump and tank were placed into service in early July and remain on a short punch list. The Bonnetsville booster pump project still requires a fence, electrical work and SCADA installation; staff expect startup per contract this month. The Roseburg tank is built and is scheduled for disinfection and put into service on July 28.
Work on the Ivanhoe project was described as “the smoothest running project” with roughly half the main line installed and multiple pipe-laying crews ahead of schedule. Two other projects, described as GFA (Lakewood School Road/landfill area) and Clement Phase 2, remain in design and permitting, with GFA said to be about 95% designed. Staff reported they expect to bid the next project soon.
Staff also said the county will purchase water from the town of Dunn to add roughly 9 million gallons per month of capacity beginning in August; officials said the additional supply is needed to meet regulatory capacity and pressure requirements for the county’s growing projects. Commissioners emphasized that the Dunn purchase is a short-term step to ensure capacity while county infrastructure is completed.
During the presentation staff noted one bid opening required re-advertising after only a single bid was received; that bid opening was scheduled for the 15th. Commissioners and staff also discussed grant application timing, with awards expected by August or September according to the presentation.
No dissent was recorded during the resolution vote. The board’s action was recorded as carrying after a motion and second.
The county presentation included a recommendation to approve the project, accept the grant offer, provide required assurances to NCDEQ, and authorize the county manager to sign necessary documents. The board approved that recommendation.
