Hendersonville eyes $20m EDA award for 6 mgd wastewater expansion
City of Hendersonville Water and Sewer Department, North Carolina · Meeting date: November 5, 2026 · Published: November 6, 2026
A proposed Economic Development Administration award would provide 80% of the $25.1 million cost of expanding and upgrading Hendersonville’s wastewater treatment facility. The project would add 1.2 mgd of treatment capacity and replace or improve key process assets.
Key points
- The proposed EDA grant is worth $20,092,800, against a required local match of $5,023,200.
- Total authorised project costs are $25,116,000, including $18.61 million for construction and $3.276 million in contingencies.
- The project would expand wastewater treatment capacity from 4.8 mgd to 6.0 mgd through aeration basin, blower building and secondary clarifier improvements, plus replacement of Tertiary Filter No. 2.
- Award conditions require construction to start within 24 months and finish within 48 months of the award date; funding is reimbursed against incurred costs.
Full report
Hendersonville City Council was scheduled to consider accepting a $20.0928 million Economic Development Administration disaster-recovery grant to expand the city’s wastewater treatment facility from 4.8 mgd to 6.0 mgd.
The federal award would cover 80% of the $25.116 million project cost, with Hendersonville required to provide a $5.0232 million non-federal match. City materials state that existing project funding and a $2 million Dogwood Health grant would support the local contribution.
The Hendersonville Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion includes aeration basin improvements, blower building improvements, secondary clarifier improvements and replacement of Tertiary Filter No. 2. The EDA describes the investment as supporting expansion of the plant serving Hendersonville and regional manufacturers and businesses.
The approved budget attached to the proposed award allocates $18.61 million to construction, $2.15 million to project inspection fees, $881,000 to site work, $159,000 to demolition and removal, $40,000 to administrative and legal expenses, and $3.276 million to contingencies.
The award has a performance period from September 1, 2026 to August 30, 2030. Its conditions require construction to begin within 24 months of the award and be completed within 48 months. Disbursements would be made on a reimbursement basis after eligible costs are incurred. Before the first disbursement, Hendersonville would also need to record either a first-priority mortgage lien or a covenant of purpose, use and ownership in favour of EDA.
The facility improvements carry a 20-year useful-life requirement. The city would be required to submit quarterly project progress reports until final disbursement, alongside semi-annual financial reports.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council Regular Meeting, City of Hendersonville Water and Sewer Department