Northampton launches Phase V

By Amanda VanDerBroek (Contact) | Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

Published Tuesday, November 17, 2009

JACKSON — Northampton County is moving forward with Phase V of its Water Improvements project.

At their regular meeting on Monday, the Northampton County Board of Commissioners approved the plans for the project, which will bring improvements to the county water system.

Public Works Director Billy Martin brought the decision paper before the board.

Martin said the project will add nearly 84 miles of water mains to the existing system in order to serve 480 additional users.

Approximately, 19 water extensions are planned for Phase V and include proposed areas west and south of Margarettsville, north of Jackson, north and east of Conway, northeast and south of Pendleton, east of Severn, off of Highway 258, east of Lasker, northwest of Rich Square, north of Creeksville, the Heritage Point Subdivision, north of Vultare, north of Garysburg, the Jackson Bypass Road, east of Gumberry and south of Pleasant Grove Church Road.

Phase V will also consist of upgrading the water booster pumps located at the Hickory Hollow Station and the Squire School Station, which will increase water supply and avoid water shortages during high demand.

Martin said the Untied States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has funded Phase V of the Northampton County Water System Project through a grant of $971,000 and a loan of $4.87 million.

While Phase V could bring major expansion to the county water system, Martin likened the list of projects to a “wish list” and the whole of Phase V could be done only if the project came under budget.

County Manager Wayne Jenkins said Phase V has been a long awaited project and the next step would have neighborhood meetings to determine how many residents in each area desire to be on a county water line.

“I would not encourage you to put in something that is not self sustainable,” he said.

Jenkins said areas known for contaminated water would be constructed first.

Martin noted final plans and specifications of Phase V are not final until they are reviewed by the respective regulatory agencies (North Carolina Department of Transportation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, etc.) and approved.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---