Frequently Asked Questions
for Gray's Creek Water & Sewer District Referendum

Cumberland County commissioners hired consulting engineers to develop a county-wide master plan in 2009 for the development of a countywide water system. The rural water feasibility study recommended forming water and sewer districts in order to develop the water system in an orderly and prioritized fashion.

Gray's Creek Water and Sewer District, the first district recommended by the plan, was formed in October 2009 in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes. The County Commissioners serve as the governing board.

A Preliminary Engineering Report calls for the district's water system to be constructed in five phases over approximately 15 years, with each phase constructed on a three-year schedule or as close to that as possible.

Citizens in the district will vote on a bond referendum on November 8, 2011, to approve funds for the first three of the five phases of the water system. The amount of the referendum will be $21 million.

The first phase (1A and 1B) of the project will cost approximately $6 million, to be funded over a 40-year period by loans obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

The estimated cost for all five phases is approximately $26 million.

• The early connection fee will be $350 prior to and during construction. After that, tap-on fees will range from approximately $1,500 to $2,000 depending on the size of the line and any unforeseen construction issues.
• Plumbing inspection fee = $35
• Availability fees – A monthly availability fee of approximately $28 will be charged to the owners of all parcels of property that abut or have direct access to a County water line. For developed properties, an availability fee will be charged to each building on the premises for which a minimum charge for water service would be required if connected to the County's water system.
  
  For undeveloped parcels that would qualify for the issuance of a building permit for the construction of one or more buildings, a single availability fee will be charged regardless of the size of the parcel.

Once construction is completed on water lines in that phase, availability fees will be applied to parcel and building owners whose property has access to a County water line.

*This is an estimate for installing a 50-foot line at $12 per foot.

As stated above, all parcel owners along roads where water lines are constructed will be charged a monthly availability fee of $28.14. Water system customers will have an additional monthly water usage charge. A monthly water bill for customers using 4,500 gallons of water per month will be $42.73, which includes the minimum availability charge of $28.14.

No, but you will be charged an availability fee as indicated above.

Yes, as long as the owner agrees to be responsible for marking the location of the tap and protecting it from damage. The owner will have the one-time connection fee and then the monthly availability fee.

Perhaps, if the availability of water has affected the sales price of similar properties at the time of the next revaluation. Property values may decline, remain stable or increase, depending on what the economy is like and how much demand there is for property in the area at the time of the next revaluation.

The entire process for Phase 1 from design to construction completion will require approximately 18 months.

Each phase after that is projected to take three years from the completion of the prior phase.

No. The County's responsibility stops at the NCDOT right of way line, typically 30 feet from the centerline of the road.

It depends on the distance and obstacles, such as tree roots, and directness of connection. Local plumbers are hesitant to provide quotes without visiting the property. Estimates may range from $10 to $12 per foot with a straight-shot path and no tree roots.

The homeowner can "do it yourself" at a lesser cost.

The district has an agreement to purchase bulk water from the Public Works Commission.

This will be determined after the referendum. It is unlikely that PWC will be the billing agency.

No. The water system will be constructed to rural development standards, not municipal. Annexation depends on population density, not the availability of water.

The state legislature approved an overhaul of North Carolina's annexation law this year. The measure allows citizens to block an involuntary annexation if 60 percent of property owners submit a petition opposing it.

No. However, an availability fee will be charged to every property owner whose land abuts, or has direct access to a water line. For parcels without buildings, there will be only one availability charge. For parcels that have multiple buildings for which water is typically supplied, an availability charge will apply to each building.

Maybe, based on existing subdivision regulations that require any subdivision creating 2 to 10 lots to connect to public water if it is within 300 feet; any subdivision creating 10 to 20 lots to connect to public water if within 500 feet; and any subdivision creating 20 or more lots, either in a Sewer Service Area or with a density of greater than two units per acre, regardless of the distance. The Planning Board has the authority to waive these requirements in hardship circumstances.

Once construction is complete, Rules, Regulations and Specifications will be established and the conditions under which extensions are made will be outlined. These will likely be at the developer's cost and in those circumstances that do not strain the capacity of the system as it is developed.

Yes, but the county will require a licensed plumber to certify that there is no cross-connection to the public water. Wells may be used to water landscaping or livestock, wash cars and fill pools.

• Review the Water Use Ordinance for Gray's Creek Water & Sewer District on the County's website or pick up a copy from the Department of Public Utilities in the Historic Courthouse at 130 Gillespie Street.
• Call the Public Utilities Department at 678-7637.
• Attend one of the following community meetings at 7 p.m.:
  • Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 7:00 pm - Community Meeting
    Gray's Creek Elementary School
    2964 School Road
    Hope Mills, NC 28348
  • Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 7:00 pm - Community Meeting
    Gray's Creek Fire Department #18
    7010 Fire Department Road
    Hope Mills, NC 28348
  • Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 7:00 pm - Community Meeting
    Gray's Creek Elementary School
    2964 School Road
    Hope Mills, NC 28348