Local Permitting Authority
In December 2003, PWC initiated its delegated Local Permitting program. In accordance with applicable North Carolina State Statutes, PWC has the authority to issue permits for the construction of new water and sanitary sewer lines, as well as pump stations. This authority also extends to those systems that will not be owned, operated, or maintained by PWC.
Water Systems
PWC has the authority to permit any water extensions and/or expansions for those water systems that are owned, operated, and maintained by another entity; does not have its own Public Water Supply Identification number (PWS ID); and has a master meter with PWC. For example, under this scenario, PWC is the permitting authority for Fayetteville State University, Methodist University, Goodyear, Eastover, etc.
If the entity has a PWS ID number, and owns, operates, and maintains its own water system, the water permit is reviewed and issued by the State. Therefore, PWC would not permit any water extensions and/or expansions by AQUA, Spring Lake, Fort Bragg, or within the Town of Stedman. However, since PWC has a current operation and maintenance agreement with the Town of Stedman, PWC reviews all plans for water extensions and/or expansions, prior to being sent to the State for permitting.
For those water systems owned, operated, and maintained by PWC, PWC will be the permitting authority.
Sanitary Sewer Systems
For those entities or intergovernmental agencies that have wastewater collection systems that are tied to the PWC system and have a flow meter to measure the amount of wastewater being delivered to the PWC system, any sanitary sewer extensions within those areas are to be permitted by the State. However, prior to submitting the application to the State, PWC will need to issue a flow acceptance letter for the additional flow. This situation applies to Hoke County, the Town of Stedman, NORCRESS, Eastover, etc. For those wastewater collection systems with which PWC has current operation and maintenance agreements, PWC will review all plans for the proposed sanitary sewer extensions, prior to being sent to the State for permitting.
PWC has the authority to permit any sanitary sewer extensions for those entities within PWC’s service area that own, operate, and maintain their own wastewater collection, discharge to the PWC sanitary sewer system, and do not have a flow meter. These are considered “private” systems, such as Methodist University, Fayetteville State University, mobile home parks, etc.
For those wastewater collection systems owned, operated, and maintained by PWC, PWC will be the permitting authority.
The following situations must be permitted by the State, regardless of ownership:
- Outfalls into a basin where sanitary sewer service has not yet been provided
- Low pressure sewer systems or STEP systems
- Projects involving Environmental Assessments
- Any collection system where a variance from State regulations is required
All other projects not meeting the above criteria need to be permitted through the State of North Carolina. Click here for more information
Questions? Call (910) 223-4730 or email the PWC Water Resources Engineering Department.
