By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County commissioners on Monday took a step forward in providing water access to dozens of south county residents by approving a $2 million grant application.
The Community Development Block Grant to the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Division of Water Infrastructure, would provide 34 homes and approximately 89 people along Old Cheraw Highway and U.S. Route 1 South with new access to municipal water. The grant application is requesting $2,075,000. The county’s share is $125,000.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Emily Miller, of Municipal Engineering Services Company, addresses the Richmond County commissioners on Monday regarding a south county water project.
A public hearing during the commissioners’ regular monthly meeting at the county administrative building on South Hancock Street drew no comment from the public. Commissioner Don Bryant asked Emily Miller, of Municipal Engineering Services Co., if homeowners would be eligible for a insurance rate decrease once fire hydrants were installed. The answer was yes.
Miller also said the grant now includes the cost of hooking up to homes — an important point given that 100 percent of the affected area will serve low-to moderate-income homes.
The proposed planned includes the installation of 10,500 linear feet of 10-inch water line, 13,500 feet of 8-inch water line and 3,500 linear feet of 6-inch water line, along with appurtenances, fire hydrants and a pump station.
Commissioner Ben Moss said it was important for the county to obtain some of the $26 million expected to be available from the next two rounds of funding.
“This group of people that live in this area, they need this very badly,” Moss said. “They are desperately needing water” for home use and for commercial purposes, including poultry farms.
“I think it’s just gonna be a good investment for everybody … to get these people some water,” Moss said.
Comments on the issue will be accepted for 15 business days after Monday’s meeting. Comments can be directed to County Manager Rick Sago by email at rick.sago@richmondnc.com, by telephone at 910-997-8211 or by regular mail at 125 S. Hancock St., Rockingham, NC 28379.
