Water System Resiliency Looping Project

The City's water distribution system saw severe impacts from Tropical Storm Helene on September 27th, 2024 where water pipes were washed away by floodwaters leaving many customers without water service for several days up to weeks until repairs could be completed. This storm illustrated several areas for improvements to strengthen the City’s water system. Since then, the City has been working diligently to develop projects to mitigate future impacts and has been submitting projects to several funding agencies for financial assistance.

Generally the project is to install additional looped waterlines into multiple key service areas of the water system. These areas are generally in the Fletcher/Mountain Home area as well as the Edneyville/Dana area. Looped waterlines both increase resiliency as well as flow availability by allowing areas to be supplied from multiple directions. These waterlines will lessen the potential and severity of future water outages and customer impacts.

A portion of the project also supports infrastructure improvements for a site at which BorgWarner, a global product leader of sustainable mobility solutions, is expanding operations. The upgrades will include a 20,000-linear-foot looped extension of a 12-inch water main, which will enhance available fire flow for the sprinkler system and provide continuity of service by establishing redundant water feed to the site.

To date, the City has received funding awards and notices of intents to fund from the following agencies:

• NCDEQ - Division of Water Infrastructure Helene State Revolving Fund (SRF) - $13,500,000
• Golden LEAF Foundation Funding Announcement - $1,938,000
• CDBG Funding Announcement - $1,862,000
• TOTAL: $17,300,000