Waynesville council moves to strengthen wastewater plant and approves sewer‑main work to serve affordable housing

The Town of Waynesville council approved multiple infrastructure steps intended to improve wastewater resilience and to move forward on a sewer connection that will serve an affordable‑housing project.

Staff asked for permission to apply for April SRF funding that would provide principal forgiveness to raise critical process equipment above flood levels, install UV disinfection to replace chlorine, rehabilitate clarifiers for flow equalization, and create a septic‑hauler receiving station that measures truck flows so the town can charge by gallons rather than by truck. Rob said the grant round could fund up to $14,990,000 for these types of improvements and staff recommended amending the water/sewer capital‑improvement plan to include the project.

On a related item, Laura (engineer) and staff presented bids to install an 8‑inch sewer main to serve the Balsam Edge subdivision, a project intended to support affordable housing. Council authorized award to the selected contractor (Chanty) at the quoted amount ($258,740) and approved the corresponding budget amendment transferring those funds from the sewer‑fund balance. Staff said some work (directional bores beneath state roads and driveways) requires a permit and third‑party contractors with specialized equipment.

What council approved: (1) Resolution authorizing application for SRF funds to improve flood resiliency and septic receiving capabilities at the wastewater plant; (2) Amendment of the town's water and sewer capital‑improvement plan to reflect the project; and (3) Award and budget amendment to authorize the 8‑inch sewer main installation to serve low‑income housing.

— Direct quotes in the article are taken from the meeting transcript and attributed to staff who spoke on the record.