A controversial plan to divert water from the Cape Fear River is causing a stir in North Carolina. The town of Fuquay-Varina has proposed a bold move: to permanently extract 6.17 million gallons of water daily from the river, without any plans to replenish it. This has sparked opposition from local authorities, leaders, and organizations across the region.
The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) has revealed that Fuquay-Varina is seeking an Interbasin Transfer Certificate (IBT) to access this substantial amount of water. The town's proposal states that they currently purchase water wholesale from nearby counties, but future demands are expected to outstrip this supply.
Fuquay-Varina began exploring this option back in 2020, and public meetings held in Cary, Chatham County, and Fayetteville in 2021 revealed a strong opposition to the plan. Residents expressed concerns about the 'theft' of their water, and the potential environmental impact.
But here's where it gets controversial: the Cape Fear River is a vital source of drinking water for over half a million people in North Carolina. The amount of water Fuquay-Varina wants to use is equivalent to filling 102,000 bathtubs every day!
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission (FPWC) and the North Carolina Wildlife Commission have also voiced their concerns. While FPWC is not completely against Fuquay-Varina's use of the river water, they emphasize the need for a reasonable return timeframe to ensure other areas can access this vital resource.
"If approved, PWC could have to implement water conservation measures immediately, even if our area is not experiencing a drought," FPWC stated on their website. "Reduced water flow also means less dilution of contaminants, which would require downstream communities to invest heavily in additional water and wastewater treatment."
FPWC also supplies water to Fort Bragg, and they warn that approving Fuquay-Varina's request could impact their ability to meet the Army installation's water needs.
And this is the part most people miss: over 20 municipalities, utilities, businesses, and environmental groups have already opposed the plan through formal letters and comments. Some of these groups include the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, the Town of Wrightsville Beach, Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, and the N.C. Conservation Network.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled two public hearings for the draft environmental impact statements, giving residents a chance to voice their opinions. These meetings will take place on December 9th and 11th in Raleigh and Pittsboro, respectively.
So, what do you think? Is this a necessary step for Fuquay-Varina's future, or a reckless move that could impact the region's water security? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
