Raw Water Intake Project Brings Two Communities Together
In Wilkes County, North Carolina, the Yadkin River flows in between two towns: Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro. Wilkesboro was founded first. North Wilkesboro was initially the result of the train not being able to cross the river. In place of crossing, the train stopped at what is now called North Wilkesboro. Even though the towns have independent governments, there is a lot of collaboration. Residents might live in one town and work in another, and residents frequent both towns for social activities, such as dining, shopipng, and recreation. In the near future, the towns will also share a raw water intake facility.
North Wilkesboro Needed a New Raw Water Intake
Currently, the Town of North Wilkesboro has a raw water intake on the Reddies River. North Wilkesboro has been wanting an additional facility on the Yadkin River because the Reddies River is prone to significant turbidity spikes / fluctuations. The Reddies River is also extremely sensitive to drought, and the water quality fluctuates more than normal during storms. North Wilkesboro sought a new raw water intake to resolve concerns about drought and water quality.
Working Together Made the Most Sense
The Town of Wilkesboro currently has a raw water intake on the Yadkin River (pictured) that staff have wanted to replace due to age. With both towns wanting a solution for their raw water intake needs, they decided to work together. North Wilkesboro needed land for a new intake, and Wilkesboro already had the land and a design but needed funding. The solution is mutually beneficial: the towns will share a new, efficient, and effective raw water intake system.
Through an interlocal agreement the towns agreed to occupy a shared facility with intake screens, vertical turbine pumps, piping, and all the necessary electrical equipment. The facility will have portions that are respective to each town, which each will be individually responsible for, but the two portions will be connected to each other via sluice gates and valves for system interconnection.
McGill Designed a New Raw Water Intake to Serve Both Communities
North Wilkesboro’s existing raw water intake on the Reddies River will be replaced with a new raw water pump station on the Yadkin River, which will be located near the NC 421 bridge. The project will include the installation of approximately 15,000 linear feet of 20-inch and 30-inch waterline and an intake facility with a 6-MGD raw water intake pump station on the North Wilkesboro side and a 16 MGD intake on the Wilkesboro side. The proposed waterline will carry the source water to the existing North Wilkesboro water treatment plant, which involves crossing the Yadkin River in 3 locations as well as crossing with a pedestrian / utility bridge that goes over the Reddies River just south of existing intake.
North Wilkesboro’s new pump station will have two vertical turbine pumps (with the associated electrical and control equipment), a backup generator, an intake wet well, an intake screen with an air burst system for self-cleaning (Hydroburst), and an intake pipe that connects the intake screen to the wet well.
Multipling Benefits
Another benefit of collaboration between the towns is funding. The North Wilkesboro portion of the project is being funded by two sources: the State Revolving Fund (SRF) and the American Rescue Plan Act. The SRF program will provide a zero-interest loan $6,735,310 with 25% principal forgiveness. The American Rescue Plan Act will provide $15,000,000 in grant funding. The Town of Wilkesboro has received nearly $1,500,000 from a Viable Utility Reserve (VUR) grant and $8,479,347 in the form of a 1.9%-low interest loan.
This project is an example of how community collaboration can save money and lead to the creation of a mutually beneficial, resilient system. When the project is complete, North Wilkesboro will experience high quality, more reliable raw water, and both towns will be better able to manage water quality fluctuations and support population growth. The improvements will benefit over 14,000 residential customers and over 1,180 businesses, which will support the overall community health, economy, and quality of life.
To learn more about our funding team, check out our website or contact the Funding Services Manager at christyn.fertenbaugh@mcgillassociates.com. To learn more about our water services for this project and how McGill could help your community, contact Doug Chapman, PE, at doug.chapman@mcgillassociates.com.
