BASE Continues to Pursue Changes to Pump Station Capacity

As the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority has embarked on its Capital Improvement Program planning process, significant discussion has occurred on the importance of maintenance projects versus the importance of growth projects. One of the primary growth hurdles locally is the capacity available at the large number of area pump stations. One of the primary time and cost impacts locally is upgrading pump stations before development can be accommodated and new rate payers can be added to the system.

In extensive review of the issue, BASE uncovered a “paper vs. actual flow” issue which was complicating the process and requiring upgrade of stations that may or may not be over capacity. Two specific items were causing complications in this process and increasing costs for local utilities like CFPUA or the first developer which tried to move ahead with a project in a sewershed where the facilities were nearing capacity.

BASE has identified some of the 2T rules regarding pump station calculations, and guidance published by DWQ ostensibly to implement the 2T rules, as unnecessary impediments to orderly growth and economic progress in the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County.

BASE met with representatives of NC Department of Water Quality to discuss the application and implementation of the 2T rules, and their associated guidance, as they deal with calculation of pump station capacity.  DWQ representatives indicated that they understood the issue, and were willing to accommodate and work with local governments to remove or mitigate the impediments to development that the rules or guidance might pose by creatively addressing the situation with schedules for funding and improvement of pump stations. Subsequently, BASE met with representatives of CFPUA to update them on the discussions with DWQ.

BASE will be continuing to work to facilitate an understanding between the CFPUA, DWQ and BASE of the implementation of the rules and guidance to prevent unnecessary delay and cost for new development coming on line where actual capacity exists or will be available at the time that it is needed.

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