Graham and Burlington received $3 million each from the state’s Drinking Water Reserve Loan Fund to update two water treatment facilities in Alamance County. Upgrading drinking water treatments in Burlington and adding renovations to the Graham-Mebane Water Treatment Plant.
According to a statement Gov. Josh Stein made in a press release Feb. 19, 145 projects in 66 counties across the state will receive more than $472 million in funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The press release said the funds are allocated to counties that applied to help support the quality and safety of water infrastructure across the state, a need highlighted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
“The awards will help cities, towns and counties strengthen infrastructure to better withstand future storms, improve existing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, reduce contamination by chemicals, and identify and replace lead pipes,” Stein said in the press release.
Graham Assistant City Manager Aaron Holland said the city is still in the early design phase and does not yet have specifics on what will be addressed by the funds. He said the upgrades will help the water treatment center filter and treat chemicals such as Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. PFAS are man-made chemicals used since the 1940s in everyday items such as nonstick pans, waterproof clothing and food wrappers. They are often called “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down and have been linked to health issues.
In August 2024, the most recent sampling showed two types of PFAS in distribution water — the treated water supplied to customers — with PFOA at about 4.4 parts per trillion and PFOS at about 5.1 parts per trillion. According to the NC department of Environmental Quality, the maximum contaminant level for drinking water is 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS.
Holland said the grant helps ease the financial burden on the county.
“Anything that’s out there and that’s available, we’re going after every dime because it’s going to help reduce the cost that we’re going to be holding,” Holland said.
He said he predicts the renovations to the water plant will total about $30 million.
He said applying for funding allows the city to keep water rates lower when undertaking large-scale projects.
“That’s the impact to the community, obviously, the more that we can get grants to cover, the less that we will have to go up on rates to cover those expenses,” Holland said.
Graham Mayor Chelsea Dickey said securing projects like this helps move the city forward. “I think it just reinforces the trajectory that we’re headed in,” Dickey said. “These grants, they almost put us on the map or validate that we are receiving this kind of attention, whether that’s coming from developers or getting other grants.”
She said the city will continue seeking grants and other resources to support infrastructure development serving communities across Alamance County.