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Board accepts DEQ principal forgiveness offer for PFAS study, approves US‑70 water planning and interim water/sewer policy revisions
Summary
Johnston County accepted a $330,000 DEQ principal forgiveness offer and budgeted over $3.5 million in drinking-water settlement proceeds for a PFAS/DBP reduction study, authorized design/easement budgeting for a 24-inch US‑70 transmission main, and approved interim water and sewer policy changes clarifying mandatory connection rules.
During the Dec. 1 meeting the board approved several utilities items presented by the utilities director (referred to in the record as Miss Farmer).
PFAS/DBP reduction study funding: Director Farmer said the county began a water treatment optimization study last year to evaluate treatment options for PFAS and disinfection byproducts. Staff requested acceptance of a principal-forgiveness funding offer from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Division of Water Infrastructure for $330,000 and requested recognition and appropriation of proceeds received from a drinking-water settlement related in the transcript to 3M and DuPont (described as "just over $3,500,000"). The board moved and approved acceptance of the DEQ offer, the revised project budget and the capital project ordinance; staff said any remaining settlement proceeds would be applied to future construction projects once pilot study results identify a preferred treatment.
US‑70 water transmission improvements: The board approved a capital authorization to fund technical services and easement acquisition for a proposed 24-inch water main along U.S. Highway 70 from the vicinity of St. Anne's Catholic Church to the Bethesda elevated water tank, with full construction funding anticipated from water system development fees.
Water and sewer policy revisions: Staff presented formal revisions to the county Water and Sewer Policy to codify an interim change adopted last month: isolated new single-family homes (not part of a larger common development) would not be required to connect to public water and may pursue private wells; mandatory connection will continue to apply for major subdivisions and multiunit residential developments (defined as more than three lots). The board moved and approved the interim policy revision.
Utility director quoted: "Any proceeds from the settlement and any leftover from the study from this principal forgiveness loan would all go towards any future project that we fully identify."
