What you and others consider a "small fortune" probably doesn't come close to meeting that organizations maintenance and construction project needs.

I kind of feel sorry for CFPUA (standing by for the inevitable bashing).

First, problem transference - City of Wilmington knew there was a huge problem...and New Hanover County was a major contributing factor. When things started breaking on a grand scale (since almost all of the infrastructure is/was at the end of its useful life) and rate hikes were inevitable, both the City and County ran like scalded dogs from the problem.

Second, the public continues to squeal like stuck pigs on any increases to fix what we all know is broken, yet scream like banshees when stuff like this happens.

This is what they mean when they say, damned if you do and damned if you don't.

I am continually amused by the overall lack of ignorance when it comes to the workings of this type of infrastructure. The only one here that seems to have a clue is Vog.