The Cape Fear River Basin hosts one of North Carolina’s most active and successful economic development corridors in the United States, the Carolina Core. Often referred to as North Carolina’s economic engine, the Carolina Core has garnered more than $20 billion in capital investments over the past six years in the aerospace, biomedical, automotive, technology and logistic sectors. Companies like HondaJet, Pfizer, FedEx, Toyota, Wolfspeed, and Boom Supersonic have made significant manufacturing investments here already, and many more are anticipated over the next 20 years.
This is good news for the businesses of the area who will support these manufacturing megasites and even better news for the residents of the area who will benefit from a competitive job market and improved infrastructure to serve these sites. And, speaking of infrastructure, it is estimated that the triad communities alone will need more than 42 million gallons per day of additional wastewater capacity and 38 million gallons per day of additional water capacity by 2050, to accommodate the growth fueled by the Carolina Core’s development.
This kind of increase is more than even the largest utilities in the area can manage. A regional approach is needed, and we stand ready to be a part of the solution.
Demonstrated Need for Water and Wastewater Capacity
The Highway 421 corridor that stretches from Greensboro to Dunn North Carolina contains the majority of the Carolina Core. This is a globally competitive economic development market for the region. It offers a talent pool of more than two million people; access to more than 30 colleges and universities with 250,000 students; multiple airports; four megasites totaling 7,200 acres of certified land; urban research parks; and more.
It is anticipated that this development will bring an additional 50,000 people to the area over the next 10-20 years, necessitating additional water and wastewater services beyond the current capacity of any single service provider in the region. Rough estimates to be confirmed through further study put the needed capacity at 135 million gallons per day for water and 105 million gallons per day for wastewater.
Because of this emerging and urgent need, the State’s Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ), under direction of the General Assembly, conducted a study early in 2024 to examine options for expanding water and wastewater utility services in the corridor (outlined in red in the figure). The intent of the study was to identify opportunities that would enable the corridor’s ability to meet an anticipated increase in both water and sewer utility services through a more regionalized approach to water resource planning, infrastructure construction, and service delivery.
Master Planning Study
The PTRWA has commissioned a Master Planning study to determine how to best meet this infrastructure need. The Study will consider all the technical, regulatory, operational, organizational, and administratively feasible ways of providing water and wastewater infrastructure to the region in the most environmentally, operationally, and financially advantageous way. Once the study is completed in the third quarter of 2025, all our Region’s utilities will review its findings and collaborate to determine the best course of action to provide water and wastewater security to the citizens of Guilford and Randolph Counties and the Upper Cape Fear River Basin.
Benefits of a Regional Solution
Cost Savings: Investments in water and wastewater capacity are costly for customers. A regionalized approach helps spread those costs over more customers, making water and wastewater service much more affordable for all.
Less Risk: Every water and wastewater utility faces increasing regulations. The costs associated with the new regulations will increase over time, potentially very significantly. This approach enables utilities to share and ultimately reduce their risks.
Increased Resiliency: The projected growth associated with Core’s economic development will require a collaborative approach to ensure the industrial, commercial, and residential users have adequate capacity. Water scarcity, whether water for drinking or wastewater treatment, must not become a limiting factor. The multi-jurisdictional model available through the PTRWA will greatly enhance the region’s resiliency in addressing long-term water resource needs for all communities, including traditionally underserved communities, while seeking to maintain affordability to the greatest extent possible.
Enhanced Planning: Regional planning creates a stronger platform for meeting longer-range needs than local, individualized community planning does. Future capacity forecasting for both water and wastewater management is enhanced when done on a regional scale.
Engage in the Process
The PTRWA intends to engage all stakeholders throughout the study to ensure all ideas, concerns, and issues are heard and integrated. To share your ideas, questions, or concerns, please contact us.