Randolph County backs regional wastewater planning and approves interlocal with Asheboro

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to support regional wastewater planning through the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority (PTRWA) and adopted an interlocal agreement with the City of Asheboro to extend water service into eastern Randolph County and address failing systems in Seagrove.

Greg Florey, PTRWA director, briefed the board on a regional study issued in late 2024 and made publicly available in early 2026 that identified large infrastructure needs across the Carolina Core. "We're trying to meet future water needs today," Florey told commissioners, describing the study's projections of regional growth and rising treatment requirements because of tightening nutrient limits in local river basins.

Florey and consultant Darren Thomas said the authority currently provides wholesale water and has the charter capacity to provide sewer services. The presentation cited an estimated regional need running into the billions and pointed to regulatory pressures (Jordan Lake–style nutrient rules extending to the Deep River Basin) that make collaborative solutions more cost-effective for smaller utilities.

County officials noted recent local investments: the regional treatment facility is being expanded from 14.7 million gallons per day to 26.7 million gallons per day, and PTRWA partners have proposed a roughly $150 million advanced treatment project that would add reverse osmosis to remove emerging contaminants such as PFAS and 1,4-dioxane. Florey emphasized the resolution is not a funding commitment from the county but asks the authority to continue serving as a regional facilitator.

County Manager Zeb Holden and Asheboro representatives explained the interlocal agreement's local projects, including upsized lines that will connect eastern Randolph County to public water and targeted investments in Seagrove's water and sewer systems. Holden said these projects will use portions of previously secured state infrastructure funds and help secure capacity for planned growth. Asheboro manager Donald Duncan added that the interconnection will provide a backup source and improved pressure and circulation for existing systems.

Commissioners voted to approve both the PTRWA-supporting resolution and the interlocal agreement contingent on Asheboro's approval. The board's action allows the authority and municipal partners to advance design work, contractor mobilization and outreach without obligating Randolph County to construction costs at this time.

The county will continue public outreach and periodic reporting to the commission as PTRWA and municipal partners pursue potential federal and state grant funding and further engineering work. The interlocal agreement and resolution are intended to expedite projects to avoid future water or wastewater capacity constraints.

What happens next: Asheboro staff expected to finalize its corresponding approvals later in the week; PTRWA will continue outreach and project design steps for the eastern Randolph water connection and regional wastewater planning.