The Alamance County town of Ossipee will gain an additional 100,000 gallons of water capacity now that a five-mile section of waterline that connects the town with the city of Burlington’s water system is complete.
The project, funded by the McCrory administration’s water infrastructure program, also solves problems stemming from drought conditions that made water availability and reliability a challenge for the town. The joining of the two systems allows Ossipee to disconnect from a well system, with the added advantage of increased water capacity for fire protection.
State environmental officials participated today in a valve-turning ceremony at the Altamahaw Ossipee Fire Station #2 in Elon that marked the completion of the $2.4 million Highway 87 Waterline Project.
“We are proud to fund projects in communities where water challenges affect the quality of daily life,” said Seth Robertson of the state environmental agency. “Safe and reliable water infrastructure is critical to protecting public health and encouraging economic development in North Carolina’s small towns.”
The Connect NC bond passed by voters in March 2016 provides another $309.5 million for water and sewer infrastructure improvements in North Carolina. $100 million would fund grant projects for small and medium-sized towns, with the remaining $209.5 million used for low-interest loans to towns for water and sewer improvement projects.
Information about the state environmental agency’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and other drinking water and wastewater funding programs is available at: http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure.