At its Dec. 1 meeting, the Johnston County Board of Commissioners approved several utilities actions intended to move forward water‑quality studies and infrastructure work.

PFAS funding and study: Utilities Director "Miss Farmer" reported the county’s PFAS and disinfection‑byproduct (DBP) reduction study is underway and asked the board to accept a $330,000 principal‑forgiveness funding offer from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Division of Water Infrastructure. Farmer also asked the board to recognize and budget funds the county will receive from the 3M/DuPont drinking‑water settlement (the total to the county is described as "just over $3,500,000"). The board voted to accept the DEQ offer and revise the capital project budget. Farmer explained that a principal‑forgiveness loan means the county is not required to repay principal and that the loan’s only immediate fee is a closing fee of $6,660.

US‑70 water main: Farmer also presented a proposed capital project to fund technical services and easement acquisition for a 24‑inch water main along US Highway 70 from near St. Anne's Catholic Church north to the Bethesda elevated water tank. Full construction funding would come from water system development fees; the board approved the capital budget ordinance and the use of development fee reserves to proceed with design and easement work.

Water and sewer policy revisions: Staff presented interim revisions to the county’s water and sewer policy to formalize earlier internal guidance: mandatory connection to public water will apply to major subdivisions and multi‑unit residential developments (defined as more than three lots), while new single‑family houses of up to three lots may pursue private wells instead of mandatory public connection. The revision also formalized an internal process for upsized water meters and other administrative clarifications. Commissioners approved the interim revision by voice vote; staff noted further alignment may follow adoption of the county’s updated UDO.

What’s next: Staff will accept and allocate DEQ and settlement funds into the capital project, move forward with technical design and easement work for the US‑70 main, and implement the interim water and sewer policy changes while preparing any additional revisions after UDO adoption.