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Getting help for a town’s failing sewer system and ensuring a new industrial park has the infrastructure capabilities to meet its growth potential is the end game for an upcoming sewer improvement study in southern Nash County.

The State Water Infrastructure Authority announced that $50,000 will be awarded to water and sewer improvement projects in Nash County. Specifically, the money will be used to fund a “merger and regionalization study” for Nash County’s sewer system, state Rep. James Gailliard, D-Nash, said in a news release.

The municipalities that will be affected by the study are Bailey and Middlesex, Nash County Director of Public Utilities and Facilities Jonathan Boone said.

The problem in Bailey is with water inflow and infiltration, which reduce the ability of sanitary sewer systems and treatment facilities to transport and treat domestic and industrial wastewater. In more extreme rain events, inflow can cause sewage backups into homes and businesses, Boone said, adding that the state has placed a 20-year moratorium on the town expanding its sewer system.

Infiltration occurs when groundwater seeps into sewer pipes through cracks, leaky pipe joints or deteriorated manholes. Inflow is stormwater that enters the sewer system through rain leaders, basement sump pumps or foundation drains illegally connected to the sewer.

In Middlesex, the study will address the future sewer needs of the 368-acre Middlesex Corporate Center. Boone said the industrial park is in the early stage of development.

“We don’t want sewer capacity to be a hindrance to new development,” Boone said.

Boone said the study will address existing conditions in both towns, look at their infrastructure plans, examine potential growth and the development of a plan that will address multiple needs.

“We have to pool our resources and work together,” Boone added.

Bailey and Middlesex are located roughly five miles apart. According to the 2020 Census, the population of Bailey is 566. About 822 people reside in Middlesex.

Nash County Public Information Officer Jonathan Edwards said that the City of Raleigh treats Middlesex’s sewer discharge and that Bailey treats its own sewage.

Boone said an ideal plan will address the needs of the residents of both towns, those living in unincorporated areas and the potential of adding jobs from expansion at the industrial park.

Among the sewer projects already underway in southern Nash County, Middlesex Mayor Lu Harvey Lewis said his town is currently undergoing a $2 million sewer rehabilitation to eliminate inflow into the sewer lines there. The elimination of unwanted water from the sewer system lowers the cost of wastewater treatment, he said.

Gailliard said he is pleased with being able to help Nash County secure the funding for the study.

“Future generations will benefit from the work that we are able to accomplish today from the funds awarded by the North Carolina State Water Infrastructure Authority,” Gailliard said. “The money will go towards great use as Nash looks to study the possibility of consolidating our sewer systems to become more viable and proactive in their management. We are looking forward to seeing the results from this project and from future investments in our water infrastructure.”

Boone said the Wooten Company, a Hickory-based civil engineering firm, will likely be awarded the contract for the engineering study. Boone said the Wooten Company has a proven track record with the county, assisted in acquiring the funding for the study and has considerable experience with infrastructure projects in southern Nash County.

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