Columbus County approves memorandum with International Paper for 5 million gallons per day from Cape Fear River

The Columbus County Board of Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with International Paper that would allow the county to pursue a regional water treatment plant using up to 5,000,000 gallons per day of International Paper’s licensed withdrawal capacity from the Cape Fear River.

County staff told commissioners that wells in the county’s east end yield low production and that groundwater options are expensive; sinking a well can cost approximately $1 million. International Paper has a significant licensed allocation from the river and reportedly uses about half of its licensed capacity. The company has indicated willingness to make up to 5 million gallons per day available to the county under an MOU.

County staff said a regional surface-water treatment plant would enable the county to treat river water and distribute potable water throughout the east end, support future growth, and potentially sell potable water back to International Paper — staff mentioned International Paper could be interested in buying about 200,000 gallons per day from a county-operated plant.

Commissioners asked about legacy water-quality issues in some distribution systems and county staff said the problems were largely due to aged distribution pipes in the historic Village area; replacements and meter upgrades are underway. Staff said a treatment plant, particularly one using reverse osmosis or similar advanced treatment, would reduce particulate and mineral content and could lessen future sedimentation issues in distribution lines, although it would not retroactively remove decades of buildup in old pipes.

The board approved the MOU to advance joint planning and feasibility work on the proposed plant.