Sampson County updates water projects; discounted tap signups, DEQ review slow Old Warsaw Road timeline

Sampson County public works staff briefed commissioners on Jan. 5 about the status of several ongoing water projects and near‑term opportunities for residents.

Staff said pressure testing of main lines at the Ivanhoe project will begin the following day and that the booster pump needed to bring the system online is due in March. On the GFL project (Marion Amas Road, White Woods Road, Lakewood School Road and portions of NC‑242 and other local streets), county staff will begin recruiting residents on Jan. 12 for a 60‑day signup period; households that sign up during that window can purchase a 3/4‑inch tap for $600 and a 1‑inch tap for $850 — roughly half the normal fees — because contractor installation will be coordinated with construction work.

Clement Phase 2 remains in the permitting stage while the county awaits approvals from the Public Water Supply and the Department of Transportation. An engineering report for Old Warsaw Road was expected to be submitted but staff said the Department of Environmental Quality has requested an environmental study, likely delaying work by one to two months.

On the iron and manganese treatment plant on Fason Highway, staff said there had been little contractor activity for over a month and that a conference call was scheduled to review outstanding punch‑list items; the county has engaged a second engineering firm to help close out the project.

Staff asked residents to watch county communications—public information officers will post signup details online for the discounted taps—and invited questions at subsequent project meetings.