CFPUA announces project to extend sewer under Cape Fear River

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — At a news conference in Downtown Wilmington Wednesday afternoon, the executive director of the Cape Fear Public Utility announced a project to extend the sewer under the Cape Fear River to residents and businesses long the Highway 421 corridor was approved.

Officials say the water portion of the project is based upon an agreement reached between CFPUA and Duke Energy in October of 2013 to extend central water service to the Flemington community. CFPUA Board Chair Pat Kusek said the project helps both people and the economy.

“Nothing is ever going to help economic expansion in this or any other community more than having water lines and sewer lines already in place,” Kusek said.

CFPUA officials said the two 8-inch sewer lines underneath the Cape Fear River will be about a $1.2 million project; CFPUA and New Hanover County will split the sewer project’s cost, while the City of Wilmington will provide the use of essential city land for construction and maintenance of the lines.

New Hanover County Commission Chairman Jonathan Barfield Jr., Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo and Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board First Vice Chairman Mitch Lamm were also in attendance.