Cumberland County directs manager to study deep-water wells for Grays Creek schools

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 10 voted unanimously to direct the county manager to study installing deep-water wells at Grays Creek Elementary and Alderman Road Elementary and to return estimates of total cost and a timeline to the board at the January 2025 agenda session.

Commissioner Patel moved the directive, asking the manager to “revisit the deepwater well infrastructure at Grays Creek Elementary and Alderman Road Elementary specifically to see what the total cost for those 2 wells would be and the timeline.” The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

The request grew from commissioner concern that the timetable for Cumberland County Public Works Commission (PWC) to run bulk water lines to the schools may take longer than acceptable. “The concern is the amount of time it's going to take for PWC to get the water to those schools and the timetable that has been quoted as unacceptable,” Commissioner Tyson said. Tyson said the board is seeking a possible temporary solution to get clean water to students sooner.

Vice Chairwoman Jones said she supports pursuing both options in parallel: pursuing PWC connections while exploring county-managed deep wells. “There's no reason why we can't do both,” she said.

Commissioner Adams asked for clarification about the difference between PWC’s planned water line work and a county-installed deep well system; commissioners and staff clarified the motion is to investigate deep wells to service the schools in parallel with the PWC work, not to cancel the PWC plan.

The county manager was directed to return a report that includes total cost estimates, timelines and any impacts or constraints at the board’s second agenda session in January 2025.