Belmont council requests 500,000 gpd from Charlotte Water, approves pump‑station design

Belmont’s City Council voted unanimously on July 2 to request an additional 500,000 gallons per day (gpd) of wastewater transmission capacity from Charlotte Water and to authorize Charlotte Water to resume design work on the pump station and force mains that will send Belmont flows to Charlotte’s regional plant.

Public works director Jonathan Wilson told the council the city’s wastewater treatment plant is “permitted for 5 million gallons of treatment today” but has had long-term deferred maintenance. Staff presented current and projected flow figures showing Belmont’s average daily flow near 1.998 million gallons and existing allocations and proposals that, if fully built, could push demand close to 4.996 million gpd. Under the existing interlocal agreement executed Nov. 7, 2019, Belmont had a base allocation of 3.0 million gpd with options to purchase additional 100,000‑gpd increments up to 5.0 million gpd.

The staff recommendation approved by council would amend that agreement to add 500,000 gpd (bringing Belmont’s contractual allocation to 3.8 MGD) so Belmont can apply for financing and accommodate projects currently under review. Jonathan Wilson said the amendment would allow the city to pursue a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan and other financing paths, and he estimated the near‑term additional construction funding need at roughly $42.7 million under current assumptions. Charlotte Water provided a unit construction figure of $31.73 per gallon used to estimate the cost of purchased capacity.

Angela Charles, director of Charlotte Water, said regional treatment “is how it’s done” for smaller municipalities facing stringent regulatory and capital demands, and she emphasized that treating wastewater “is highly expensive and it is gold in our region.” Charlotte Water staff explained the $31.73 per gallon figure reflects recent bids and regional comparables and noted Charlotte Water could also offer loan financing (staff mentioned the utility could fund $16 million at treasury rates, with negotiable terms).

Council members pressed staff for historical and comparative context, asking why Belmont’s earlier agreement requested less capacity than the town’s plant rated for and why earlier deals (for example, a Mount Holly agreement discussed by council) appeared to carry different price and scope terms. City staff and Charlotte Water explained agreements vary based on nutrient allocation, which party paid for pipelines, and local conditions; staff also said Belmont had conveyed certain nutrient allocation as part of regional permitting, which informed the structure of the 2019 deal.

Staff emphasized a phased approach: buy only the 500,000 gpd needed now and reserve future increases in 100,000‑gpd increments as demand materializes (staff projected the larger 1.2 MGD need could be 10–15 years away). Financing payback options the council discussed included SRF loans, a possible Charlotte Water loan, grants, rate adjustments and system development fees. Charlotte Water and staff said construction activity is expected to span several years and that debt service would typically begin after construction and SRF drawdown and reimbursement processes conclude.

Councilmember Jason moved and Councilmember Catherine seconded the motion to request the additional 500,000 gpd and to allow Charlotte Water to proceed with the pump‑station design; the motion passed unanimously. Staff will draft a written amendment to the interlocal agreement to reflect the increased allocation and will pursue the optimal financing path, including SRF application timing.

The council also recorded that alternatives — renovating Belmont’s existing plant to full capacity — were discussed but judged far more expensive and operationally complex given deferred maintenance, evolving regulatory standards, and the regional nutrient and permitting context. The city will return with written amendment language and financing details as the SRF application and design work proceed.