City, county work with regional water authority on similar goals for water needs

ASHEBORO — Short-term and long-term water needs are on the minds of Asheboro and Randolph County leaders. 

Members of the city council attended the Board of Commissioners meeting on April 6, where they heard Greg Flory, executive director of the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority (PTRWA), present the findings of a regionalization study.

Commissioners voted in favor of a resolution to support the findings.

Members of the Asheboro City Council were there to show support for a separate interlocal agreement with the county to cooperate on construction projects such the Wolfspeed water main and upgrades to the Seagrove-Ulah Metropolitan Water District. Later in the week, at their regular meeting, they accepted bids for water treatment chemicals and took the next steps on water-related projects.

Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority goals

Flory presented a support resolution to accept the findings of PTRWA’s Water and Wastewater Utility Regionalization Study. Randolph County commissioners unanimously approved it. Along with supporting the study’s findings, the resolution commits them to regional collaboration and good faith participation.

The study began in 2023, when, according to the resolution, “the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality identified significant present and future water and wastewater infrastructure capacity challenges across the region.”

Flory said they evaluated the existing infrastructure, projected growth, capital needs, regulatory constraints, and opportunities for coordination between Randolph and Guilford counties. PTRWA currently covers Archdale, Greensboro, High Point, Randleman, Jamestown and Randolph County.

According to Flory, PTRWA estimates more than 150,000 people will move into the Carolina Core region in the next 25 years, and water and sewer infrastructure will likely hit capacity limits within 10 years.

The PTRWA created a strategic plan in 2024. It followed up with master plan study for expansion, which was completed in January 2026.

City considers capital fees, chemicals, creek restoration

At the Asheboro city council meeting on April 9, council members approved every agenda item presented by Water Resources Director Michael Rhoney.

He first asked the council to formally accept a System Development Fee (SDF) Analysis. State law allows local governments to issue a one-time SDF on new construction to cover the costs of capital improvements.

The analysis by Freese and Nichols, Inc. projected more than $148 million in infrastructure-related liability for Asheboro over the next decade. Mayor Joseph Trogdon, Jr. said this will create a new revenue source for Asheboro without burdening current taxpayers. City Manager Donald Duncan said the cost savings would be “substantial,” especially as regulations increase.

The analysis found the city may issue a maximum SDF of $720.65 for water services and $9,180 for wastewater.

The council will decide whether to add an SDF when it puts together the next budget. They are required to schedule a public hearing before approving those fees.

They also let Rhoney proceed with buying a year’s worth of chemicals for water and wastewater treatment. Council member Kelly Heath asked if the costs went up this year. Rhoney said the bids from all the chemical manufacturers balanced out with last year.

Next, he got approval to apply for state grants or loans to help with wastewater collection system improvements. He said funding may be available from the North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure or the Department of Environmental Quality.

Finally, he presented a declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions for the Haskett Creek restoration project. This ensures that the city does not build anything within the easement and protects the watershed. With the approval of the declaration, Rhoney said the project can now go out to bid.