The Town of Columbus recently announced that the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center board of directors has awarded a grant to the town in the amount of $22,000 for a Water System PER and Asset Management Plan. The town has committed to match these funds in order to complete the water system planning study.
The planning grants program was authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly to address critical water and/or wastewater needs in rural communities.
The water planning study will focus on current deficiencies within the system and address future concerns. The project will provide professional engineering services related to the development of a water system preliminary engineering report (PER) and asset management plan, to include a comprehensive water system master plan and capital improvement plan.
A hydraulic model of the Town of Columbus water system will be completed and serve as a supporting component and tool for the master plan.
The project objective is to develop a comprehensive water master plan that will serve as a document for identifying the needs and implementing, upgrading, and expanding the town’s water infrastructure for existing and proposed development. This master plan is a living document that will identify immediate and long-term needs for the town and will be updated on a regular basis.
Mayor Eric McIntyre said, “The rural center grant will allow us to plan for our future water infrastructure needs and address current issues within our system. The town appreciates the rural center for providing these funds to ensure that identification and solution of issues related to water quality, water pressure, water capacity and fire flow are identified through this comprehensive water master plan.”
The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop sound economic strategies that improve the quality of life in rural North Carolina, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources. The center operates a multifaceted program that includes conducting research into rural issues; testing promising rural development strategies; advocating for policy and program innovations; and building the productive capacity of rural leaders, entrepreneurs and community organizations.
– article submitted
by the Town of Columbus