Cape Fear communities push back against Fuquay-Varina’s water request
CAPE FEAR, NC (WWAY) — Numerous leaders and officials from the Lower Cape Fear have come together to oppose a request by the Town of Fuquay-Varina to remove millions of gallons of water from the Cape Fear River.
According to CFPUA, Fuquay-Varina is seeking an Interbasin Transfer Certificate to pull 6.17 million gallons a day from the river and treat to use for the town, discharge 6.17 million gallons a day of treated wastewater into the Neuse River Basin.
More than 20 municipalities, utilities, and business and environmental organizations have passed resolutions and provided comment to the state voicing opposition.
“Wilmington and the entire Lower Cape Fear region depend on the Cape Fear River for our most essential resource: safe, reliable drinking water. Our communities have worked for years to safeguard this river as a shared resource for current and future generations. Fuquay-Varina’s proposal to remove more than six million gallons a day – without returning it – threatens that balance by shifting the burden of its growth onto downstream residents,” Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo said.
The CFPUA says 6.17 million gallons a day of raw water from the Cape Fear River is enough to provide treated drinking water to more than 27,000 homes.
It is also noted that if this request were granted there would not only be permanent water loss from the river but also increased risk of water shortages during drought, creation of a dangerous precedent, and a potential threat to wildlife.
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission will hold three public hearings in reference to this request. The first will be on Thursday at Fayetteville Technology Community College at 6 p.m.
The other two meetings are scheduled for December 9th in Raleigh and December 11th in Pitsboro.
