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Washington reviews water and wastewater capital projects including WTP rehabilitation and WWTP expansion
Summary
City staff updated the council on a series of water and wastewater projects: bids and added funding for a major Water Treatment Plant rehabilitation, a loan-funded AMI meter rollout, lead service-line inventory results, Cherry Run pump-station force-main work, and the WWTP expansion with living-shoreline resiliency measures.
City staff provided detailed updates on water and wastewater capital projects at the May 28 Washington City Council work session, citing bid results, loan approvals and project timelines.
Jon Rorie and Public Works staff reported bids for the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) rehabilitation ranged from $8,996,000 to $13,815,400, with State Utility Contractors submitting the low bid of $8,996,000—about $3.8 million above the city’s construction estimate. The City requested additional Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI) funding on March 25, 2026; DWI and the Local Government Commission approved the request in May 2026, and staff said a Notice to Proceed will be issued soon. The City has approval for a $9,969,000 loan at 1.76% interest for the project.
Staff also summarized the Water Treatment Plant emergency-generator project, noting a 550K generator with automatic transfer switch has been installed. The project’s total cost was approximately $550,000; a DWI loan of $409,160 included principal forgiveness of $102,290, leaving a net loan balance of $306,870.
On drinking-water safety compliance, the staff review of the Lead Service Line Inventory noted the system includes roughly 4,300 residential connections. So far staff identified about 300 galvanized lines and roughly 700 unknown materials (approximately 100 of those locations could not be located). Customers with galvanized or unknown service-line materials will receive annual written notices until the materials are replaced or determined.
The council also heard an overview of the Empower Washington AMI meter project to replace approximately 6,300 water meters. Staff said the water-meter portion is expected to cost about $3.2 million (approximately $3 million financed by loan and $200,000 from the Water Fund), with phased installations beginning this fall and customer notices preceding work at individual homes.
For sewer infrastructure, staff reported issuance of a Notice to Proceed on May 18, 2026 for the Cherry Run Pump Station and 5th Street force-main replacement; the project will replace cast-iron and asbestos cement force mains, rehabilitate the pump station and is expected to finish in February 2027. The City received a $250,000 pre-construction planning grant and a 2.04% loan for construction.
Staff described the WWTP expansion to raise average capacity from 3.65 million gallons per day (MGD) to 4.95 MGD and convert aeration basins to Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) to improve Tar River effluent quality. Preliminary design is about 75% complete and a $400,000 pre-construction planning grant supports the work. Separately, a $500,000 NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program grant will fund living-shoreline and floodproofing design to protect the WWTP from erosion and storm surge.
No formal votes occurred on these items during the work session; staff will continue procurement, funding closeouts and construction oversight as projects move into execution.
