Bill > H694

This bill addresses three main areas of water management and infrastructure in North Carolina. First, it directs the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the University of North Carolina to conduct a comprehensive study on water and wastewater system regionalization, examining the benefits, costs, and obstacles to combining water services across the state. The EFC will consult with various state and local government entities and must submit a report by April 1, 2026, with recommendations for legislative or regulatory changes to improve the financial stability of water systems. Second, the bill eliminates specific subbasin designations for the Haw River, Deep River, and Contentnea Creek, incorporating them into their respective major river basins (Cape Fear and Neuse), which will provide more flexibility for water transfers and support drought resilience and economic development. Finally, the bill revises provisions related to the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) transport factor calculation for wastewater discharge permits in the Neuse River Basin, removing previous restrictions on the number of customer connections and modifying the process for determining new transport zones and delivery factors. These changes aim to streamline water management processes, support regional infrastructure development, and provide more efficient regulatory frameworks for water and wastewater systems in North Carolina.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H694