Senator Newton and Secretary Biser Tour Rocky River Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion

On Wednesday, November 15, Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County leadership celebrated the work of Senator Paul Newton and others in the passing of Senate Bill 673 and other previous efforts to facilitate regulatory relief, allowing more capacity to be allocated throughout Cabarrus County.

In addition to regulatory relief, the state also allocated more than a billion dollars to expanding water and wastewater capacity across North Carolina, including $69.6 million for Cabarrus County, reflecting the understanding that adequate wastewater infrastructure is a shared responsibility that must be met to support future economic growth.

The tour provided Senator Newton, Secretary Elizabeth Biser of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Concord Mayor Bill Dusch, as well as members of the Water and Sewer Authority board, a firsthand view of the ongoing progress and developments regarding the expansion efforts at the treatment plant.

Currently in its Phase 3 expansion stage, the Rocky River Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant is on track to grow its capacity from the current 26.5 million gallons per day (mgd) to 30mgd, on schedule for completion by the summer of 2024. Moreover, the tour offered a preview of the Phase 4 expansion plans, which aim to further increase the plant’s capacity to 34mgd by 2027, signaling a proactive approach to cater to the growing needs of the community.

“On a recent tour of the Rocky River Plant Expansion, I was pleased to see firsthand the progress which has been made on the project,” said Senator Paul Newton. “This type of collaborative effort between government entities and local authorities to ensure the efficient expansion of crucial infrastructure is of utmost importance to the future of our county and state.”

“Investing in water infrastructure is critical to the future economic success of our communities and the protection of our environment,” said Secretary Biser. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with local leaders as they expand access to water and sewer services.”