CFPUA submits more than 1,900 public comments opposing proposed water transfer

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Cape Fear Public Utility Authority officials say they have submitted more than 1,900 public comments from area residents regarding a proposed water transfer from the Cape Fear River.

The comments address Fuquay-Varina’s application for an interbasin transfer certificate that would allow the town to remove 6.17 million gallons of water per day from the Cape Fear River.

According to CFPUA, many of the comments were submitted online in response to a video featuring Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo explaining the proposal and its potential impact on the region. Officials say the comments overwhelmingly oppose the request and add to 325 comments the state reported receiving earlier this month.

If approved, the certificate would allow Fuquay-Varina to withdraw 6.17 million gallons of water daily, treat and use it, and then discharge wastewater into the Neuse River Basin. CFPUA officials say that would permanently reduce the amount of water available in the Cape Fear River for communities downstream, from Fayetteville to Wilmington, which rely on it as a primary drinking water source.

Officials say that amount of water is enough to supply more than 27,000 homes.

CFPUA says the reduction could increase the risk of water shortages during drought conditions and set a precedent for other upstream communities to seek similar transfers.

“Our community has never backed down when it comes to protecting our water—and we can’t start now,” Saffo said. “The Cape Fear River, which so many of us depend on for reliable drinking water, is facing a decision with long-term consequences for downstream communities.”

CFPUA Board Chairman Wesley P. Corder said residents, businesses and local governments in the Lower Cape Fear region are united in their opposition.

“The State must say ‘no’ to Fuquay-Varina’s plan to satisfy its growing water needs as cheaply as possibly by permanently taking more than six million gallons of water every day from our primary drinking water source,” Corder said.

Public comments on the proposal are being accepted through April 1, according to CFPUA.