The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure announced on Mar. 27 that it is accepting public comments on updates to several Intended Use Plans and Project Priority Lists until March 30, as well as new draft Intended Use Plans and proposed Priority Rating Systems for State Revolving Fund programs until April 13.
These Intended Use Plans are important because they guide how the state manages funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The funds help support improvements such as treatment facilities, collection systems, distribution systems, energy efficiency upgrades, stormwater control measures, stream restoration projects, addressing PFAS contamination, and replacing lead service lines in drinking water systems.
According to the department’s announcement, five new draft Intended Use Plans for the State Revolving Funds are available for public comment through April 13. These include plans related to both base funding and additional federal support from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), including general supplemental funding, emerging contaminants funding, and lead service line replacement funding. The plans also introduce updated Priority Rating Systems used to decide which projects receive financial assistance.
In addition to these new drafts, updates to four previously adopted Intended Use Plans and Project Priority Lists are open for comment through March 30. Updates in these documents are marked in red text so stakeholders can easily identify changes.
Comments must be submitted by noon on the respective deadlines either by email or mail. Interested parties should send their feedback via email with “Comments on Draft IUP” in the subject line or mail them directly to Cathy Akroyd at the Division of Water Infrastructure in Raleigh.
The Division encourages those interested in learning more about its work or reviewing current documentation to visit its website.
