North Carolina’s new statewide water and wastewater infrastructure plan will be presented at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday during the opening session of the 2017 North Carolina Rural Water Association’s Annual Conference and Exhibition in Greensboro.
The conference will be held at the Sheraton Four Seasons, 3121 Gate City Boulevard, Greensboro. “North Carolina’s Statewide Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Master Plan” helps cities and towns better prepare for their water and wastewater utility needs.
“The long-term viability of North Carolina’s utilities is critical to public health, environmental protection and economic prosperity,” said Kim Colson, director of the state Division of Water Infrastructure. “The statewide master plan provides guidance, tools and resources to foster that viability. The
NCRWA conference delivers a large audience representing utilities from across North Carolina who are daily experiencing the challenges of aging water and wastewater infrastructure.”
The plan was developed by the State Water Infrastructure Authority, which was created by the General Assembly in 2013 to award federal and state funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects and examine best and emerging practices. The Division of Water Infrastructure serves as staff to the authority. More information about the State Water Infrastructure Authority is available at: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wi/authority.
Colson and Francine Durso, the division’s special projects technical lead, will discuss how the plan helps towns and cities effectively replace and repair aging water infrastructure. During the next 20 years, cost estimates for water system needs statewide climb to as much as $15 billion and wastewater needs could reach as much as $11 billion.
Colson has been honored nationally for his leadership and his role in developing the plan, which has also garnered interest from other states hoping to emulate the plan’s success. The plan is available on the state
Division of Water Infrastructure’s website at: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wi/master-plan.
The 2017 NCRWA Annual Conference features networking and educational opportunities for water and wastewater professionals.