Twenty-seven counties across the state will receive more than $204 million in funding for 48 drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The awards will improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, address PFAS and other forever chemicals, identify and replace lead pipes, and improve resiliency after future storms. 

“At DEQ, we’re committed to ensuring everyone in North Carolina has access to clean water,” said Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson in a press release. “This funding will address aging infrastructure and improve public health for communities large and small.” 

In total, Cumberland County-based initiatives were awarded $34,612,335 in the latest round of awards from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the State Water Infrastructure Authority (SWIA) for the following:

Aqua North Carolina, Inc. – Brookwood Community Ion Exchange Filters

IIJA DWSRF-EC-C: $1,327,800

IIJA DWSRF-EC-C & DWSRF: $3,983,400

IIJA DWSRF-EC-S: $500,000

Carolina Water Service, Inc. – PFAS Implementation at Tanglewood Estates

IIJA DWSRF-EC-C: $450,313

Cumberland County Government – Gray’s Creek Phase 2

IIJA DWSRF-EC-C: $5,000,000

Cumberland County Government – Landfill Leachate PFAS Treatment

IIJA CWSRF-EC-C: $2,850,822

Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC) – PO Hoffer/Glenville Lake Water Treatment Plant Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) Facility

IIJA DWSRF-EC-C & DWSRF: $20,500,000

“These investments, which include county-led initiatives, will modernize aging infrastructure and protect public health across our communities,” said Chairman Kirk deViere in a press release.

The largest single award, totaling $20.5 million, was granted to the Fayetteville Public Works Commission for the construction of a Granulated Activated Carbon facility at the P.O. Hoffer/Glenville Lake Water Treatment Plant. The project is specifically designed to reduce PFAS contamination and enure the long-term safety of the community’s drinking water supply.

A list of all projects selected for funding is available on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) website. 

NCDEQ’s Division of Water Infrastructure reviewed 133 eligible applications, which requested a total of $1.57 billion. The State Water Infrastructure Authority approved the awards during its July 16 meeting. 

Funding this round came from the State Revolving Funds, including IIJA funds. The State Revolving Funds provide low-interest loans that may be partially forgiven for drinking water and wastewater projects. State Revolving Funds are funded by federal capitalization grants and revolving loan repayments. This round included IIJA Emerging Contaminants (PFAS) funds and IIJA Lead Service Line Replacement funds.  

The Division of Water Infrastructure’s Fall 2025 funding round begins July 29. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 30, 2025. In addition, the Division will accept applications on a rolling basis for the new federal supplemental appropriations from the 2025 American Relief Act to build resilience to infrastructure for Hurricane Helene-impacted communities. Helene State Revolving Fund supplemental funds for western North Carolina towns that have experienced Helene damage will continue to be available through year-round applications starting at the end of July until 2026.   

The Division of Water Infrastructure will conduct in-person funding application training for the Fall 2025 funding round at six locations: Clyde, Hickory, Boone, Fayetteville, Winterville, and Research Triangle Park/Durham. A virtual option via Webex will also be available, and a recording of the training will be posted on the Division’s training web page. 

Learn more about the Division of Water Infrastructure’s funding programs here.