Carroll County PSA outlines $6.5 million Exit 1 wastewater option as capacity concerns grow

Speaker 2 told the Carroll County Public Service Authority that the Exit 1 regional wastewater project — intended to connect to Mount Airy for treatment — now has an estimated cost of about $6.5 million, up from an earlier estimate of roughly $2.8 million. He said the funding agency might consider providing a low‑ or no‑interest loan and that the PSA is considering borrowing to move the work forward.

The project would run sewer from Exit 1 to a connection with Mount Airy; Mount Airy would own and operate the downstream lines and the PSA would pay treatment fees. Speaker 2 said a simple scenario with a truck stop, hotel and fast‑food outlet could yield roughly $159,000 a year in additional local revenue after completion, but he cautioned, "There's no guarantee of those at all." He also said the county would likely need to provide a subsidy of about $100,000 a year or the PSA would need to raise rates to cover debt service and operations.

Why it matters: Exit 1 serves a small plant with intermittent compliance problems; staff reported the plant is currently processing around 14,000 gallons per day out of an approximate 20,000‑gallon capacity and has experienced occasional out‑of‑compliance test results. Board members pressed for a plan because growth near the interstate could increase flows and the system’s ability to absorb commercial customers (truck stop, hotel) is limited without additional infrastructure.

Board members and staff discussed alternatives, including requiring large commercial users to install their own package treatment systems or pretreatment, enlarging or relocating the plant, or pumping flows to another treatment location (Exit 8). Speaker 4 recommended consulting the county attorney and reviewing existing contracts before committing to a direction; Speaker 7 said he had not seen any binding agreement between the PSA and the nearby private operator referenced in discussion.

Speaker 2 said the PSA will wait for its audit to be completed and then submit documentation to the funding agency so the agency can assemble a packet showing the agency’s likely support level and any conditions. The board also asked staff to prepare clearer revenue and expense figures and to invite representatives of the private operator the board referenced to speak at a future meeting.

The board did not take a formal vote on project authorization at this meeting. Staff listed the audit, a legal review of contracts, and a more detailed cost and revenue estimate as the next steps.

Ending: The PSA requested that staff return with a detailed plan and numbers at a future meeting; the audit and further legal review will determine whether and how the board proceeds.