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Utilities director outlines timeline, discharge plan for Mill Creek membrane water plant
Summary
Pender County interim utilities director James Proctor described land-easement talks, a planned 800-acre well field and roughly 10 wells, a 300,000-gallon membrane plant condensate discharge to Mill Creek approved by DEQ, and an operational target of late 2028–2029 subject to permits and supply-chain delays.
Residents in Washington Acres asked for an update on a proposed county membrane water plant and possible discharge to Mill Creek. James Proctor, interim director of Pender County Utilities, presented technical and scheduling details.
Proctor said staff are negotiating land easements, including agreements with Walmart, to secure access for sewer and water lines. He said the Falls Mist full-build estimate and related projects have influenced siting choices. Proctor described the treatment approach as an MBR (membrane bioreactor) design and explained condensate will carry filtered minerals and salts into a brackish stream; he said the county is working with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to locate the outfall closer to the mouth of Mill Creek to improve mixing and avoid discharging directly into the Intracoastal Waterway.
On timing and scope, Proctor said the county expects to advertise bids in the next 90 days for a well field on roughly 800 acres and to drill about 10 wells, with well depths and pipeline routing under engineering review. He estimated visible construction (water-line tie-ins near Walmart) could begin within months and projected the plant might be operational by the end of 2028 or in 2029, depending on materials availability and supply-chain delays.
Proctor emphasized DEQ will not allow a discharge into the Intracoastal Waterway and that the county is modifying the discharge location to maintain flow during low tides and reduce stagnation. He noted industry guidance and EPA/DEQ practices inform mixing and monitoring requirements. Proctor invited residents to contact his office for plans and timelines.
The forum raised questions about stream ecology and mixing; Proctor and staff committed to sharing technical plans and to continuing DEQ coordination as permitting proceeds.
