Access to efficient, healthy water and wastewater services is a significant problem for historically disadvantaged communities, both in North Carolina and nationally. The North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure exists to improve access to efficient, healthy water and wastewater services for rural communities. The Division was created in 2013 to bring all water infrastructure funding programs together, providing support to get water utilities on firmer footing, making them more logistically and financially sustainable. When small communities struggle to provide services to residents, the Division often encourages combining into regions for long-term success.

The Challenge – What is the problem communities are facing? What is the scope?

• Disparities in Water and Sewer Services in North Carolina: An Analysis of the Decision-Making Process
• Relationship between race and community water and sewer service in North Carolina, USA
• Leaky Sewers Plunge Small North Carolina Towns into Financial Crisis
• Aging Sewer System Imperils North Carolina Town’s Finances
• North Carolina, In Early Stages of Financial Review, Sees Large Number of Distressed Water Systems
• National Water Utility Survey | Impacts of COVID-19 Emergency

The Solution – What is the innovative solution we want to highlight?

• NC DEQ Water Infrastructure Master Plan (2017)
• North Carolina’s Statewide Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Master Plan: The Road to Viability
• Improvements Ongoing to Regional Sewer System

The Players – Who did what to make the innovative solution work in the community? What challenges did they face in engaging stakeholders?

• Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority (YVSA)
• Towns of Elkin (Surry & Wilkes)
• Town of Jonesville (Yadkin)
• Town of Ronda (Wilkes)
• NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Infrastructure

The Promise – Why do we think this solution holds promise for other communities? What stakeholders must come together to respond? What else has to happen?

• Merger/Regionalization Feasibility Grants – NC DEQ
• Raleigh Water (serves Raleigh, Garner, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon)
• Charlotte Water (serves Charlotte and Mecklenberg County including Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Huntersville, Davidson, and Cornelius)
• From Wastewater to Water Resources Project (Charlotte Region)