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By Debbie Maner, NCRWA
Vance County Water Project
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NCRWA.COM |
Fall 2013
feature
onstruction on Phase 1A of Vance County’s
water project is nearing completion, if
not complete. The idea for this project
materialized in 1996 when their Land Use
Plan identified a need for the availability
of water throughout the county. After the
Vance County Water District was established
in 2004, the engineering firm of Hobbs &
Upchurch was hired to complete the project.
In 2006, the first set of public hearings
regarding the district was held. By the end of
2008, funds had been raised for the first phase
of the project through a $27 million Bond
Referendum, a USDA loan, and a NC Rural
Center grant.
The County will be purchasing water
from the City of Henderson (Kerr Lake),
and distributing it to residents through an
additional 167 miles of lines when the project
is complete. Phase 1A of the project included
the installation of approximately 35 miles of
distribution lines and the construction of a
Vance County Water District Water tank, seen
in the pictures. The tank is a 200,000 gallon
tank and was constructed by Caldwell Tanks
of Louisville, Kentucky.
Three additional phases of the project are
planned, Phase 1B will include the Kittrell
Water Association and the addition of
approximately 35 miles of distribution lines,
Phase 2A, an additional 28 miles of lines, and
Phase 2B, an additional 44 miles.
Some of the benefits derived from the
implementation of the project include safer
and higher quality water that is monitored
and less likely to become contaminated than
private wells, a more reliable water supply
during power outages or times of drought,
the availability of water for fire protection,
and reduced ISO insurance ratings, and the
reduced cost of wells and pumps – residents
will still be able to use wells for outside
uses other than drinking. The project is
also considered a great investment in
Vance County’s future, as it will increase
economic development by enhancing
existing development and encouraging and
attracting new development. Thanks to
Jordan McMillen, Deputy County Manager,
Vance County, for this information.
