Cumberland County lines up PFAS water-system study as Cedar Creek demands action
Cumberland County, North Carolina · Meeting date: October 19, 2026 · Published: October 20, 2026
The county's October 19 agenda included acceptance of $500,000 in IIJA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund emerging-contaminants assistance for a preliminary engineering report on public-water options in Cedar Creek. During public comment, residents said they remain burdened by contaminated-well concerns and want clearer information on when relief will arrive.
Key points
- NCDEQ offered Cumberland County $500,000 in principal-forgiveness DWSRF emerging-contaminants funding for the Cedar Creek Area PER to Address PFAS.
- The study will assess public-water supply alternatives, treatment needs, infrastructure and costs for residents and businesses affected by PFAS in private wells.
- The funding offer lists a total project cost of $1.181 million and an estimated $10,000 closing fee, which is included in the county's approved project budget.
- Cedar Creek residents told commissioners that the contamination has persisted for years and asked for information on water service, health concerns and the Chemours settlement.
Full report
Cumberland County was scheduled to take a further planning step toward a public-water solution for the PFAS-affected Cedar Creek area, with commissioners asked on October 19 to accept $500,000 in state revolving-fund emerging-contaminants assistance for a preliminary engineering report.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has offered the county the funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The award is structured as a principal-forgiveness loan, meaning the full $500,000 would be forgiven. The agenda packet lists the Cedar Creek Area PER to Address PFAS as project SRF-D-EC-0028.
The report is intended to evaluate alternatives for developing a public water system for Cedar Creek residents and businesses whose private drinking-water wells have been affected by PFAS contamination. Its scope includes alternative water sources, treatment requirements, associated infrastructure and costs, and an environmental information document for the preferred alternative.
The funding-offer document gives a total project cost of $1.181 million and an estimated $10,000 closing fee. County staff said the fee is included in the project budget, while Grant Project Budget Ordinance B270273 was approved on September 21. The county was also asked to authorize the County Manager to execute the offer and associated documents. The item had been placed on the consent agenda following an October 8 Infrastructure Committee meeting. The provided meeting transcript does not record a final board action on the item.
Residents used the public-comment period to underline the urgency of the issue. Vicki Mullins said she had been carrying water since 2017 and asked when Cedar Creek would receive water that would not cost residents anything. Other speakers raised questions over PFAS-related health impacts, ongoing odours and staining associated with their water, and whether Cedar Creek residents are included in the Chemours settlement.
The offer carries federal conditions, including compliance with Build America, Buy America requirements where applicable. NCDEQ will require the county to submit the final deliverable and an executive-level summary of the work, conclusions and next steps before the final disbursement; no more than 90% of the award can be paid before that documentation is received.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, Cumberland County