The Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District was created in 2009 as part of the masterplan for developing a countywide water system. After a failed bond referendum in 2011 to bring public water to the Gray’s Creek district, the County did not move forward with developing a water system.
In 2017, GenX and other emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were identified in drinking water wells in Cumberland County near the Chemours facility. A Consent Order signed in 2019 between the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Cape Fear River Watch and Chemours requires Chemours to sample private wells for GenX and PFAS and to provide alternate drinking water to residents whose water tests above the health advisory level.
In response to the contamination, Cumberland County is moving forward with Phase 1 of a water expansion project for the Gray’s Creek District. The first phase includes getting public potable water to Alderman Road and Gray’s Creek Elementary Schools and to allow connections from residents along the route.
The Board of Commissioners has allocated $21 million for the project and the County is seeking additional funding from State and Federal grants to complete the project. As the County moves forward with this project staff plan to engage the community to discuss early sign-ups, reduced tap fees and to receive the public’s participation in the water system.