Plans for parallel raw water main in northern Brunswick County move forward

Plans to construct a parallel raw water main from the King’s Bluff Pump Station to the raw water tank near the Northwest Water Treatment Plant took a step forward Monday night when the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Cape Fear Public Utility Authority and the Lower Cape Fear Water & Sewer Authority.

The parallel main is included in Brunswick County’s long-range Capital Improvement Plan, with estimates that the additional capacity it would provide might be needed by 2021. However, after a break in the existing raw water main between the pump station and the treatment plant last fall, officials with Brunswick County, Lower Cape Fear Water & Sewer Authority and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority renewed discussions about its value as a redundant or back-up line.

“I think we saw the importance of redundancy a couple of months ago, and I’m glad to see the Authority moving forward with taking steps to put in a parallel line and make sure that we have a redundant supply,” said Brunswick County Board Chairman Frank Williams during Monday’s meeting.

The 14-mile-long water main would carry additional raw water from the King’s Bluff Pump Station, where the water is pumped from the Cape Fear River, to the raw water tank in Northwest. The nearby Northwest Water Treatment Plant would treat the water before it is pumped to Brunswick County customers. Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority owns the King’s Bluff Pump Station and the current water main, while Brunswick County owns the Northwest Water Treatment Plant.

“What you’re doing, you’re seeing the need [for additional water capacity] that’s coming forward, and so you’re making these steps before they’re going to be needed and I appreciate that,” added Commissioner Marty Cooke.

While Brunswick County also gets raw water from wells, much of the County’s water supply comes from the King’s Bluff Pump Station, where it is pumped from the Cape Fear River. The parallel main would allow additional water to be transported to the Northwest Water Treatment Plant, expanding Brunswick County’s capacity as rapid growth is expected to continue, and also serving as a back-up or redundant line in the event that damage or needed repairs to the current line affect its ability to transport water. The parallel line would also increase the raw water available to Cape Fear Public Utility Authority customers, and potentially to Pender County customers.

The interlocal agreement approved by Brunswick County Commissioners Monday night will allow the first steps of the parallel water main project to get started. The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Board has also approved the agreement.