Asset inventories show Central Nash water in good condition; 10‑year CIP totals about $10M, consultants urge grants

Consultants presented asset inventory and assessment (AIA) studies for Nash County's drinking water and sewer systems during the May 18 meeting, delivering an inventory that county staff can use for operations, condition tracking and capital planning.

Mike Tolson of Mat Gay Associates described a survey‑grade GIS inventory for Central Nash that includes 175 miles of water mains, field‑located meters, valves and hydrants, photographic documentation and condition scoring. "Overall, the condition score of the entire system is good," Tolson said; the firm prepared a 10‑year capital improvement plan focusing on loops, interconnects, valve and hydrant insertions and targeted mains to improve pressure and water quality.

The consultants estimated total drinking‑water capital needs for Central Nash at just over $10 million over ten years and recommended pursuing grants and low‑interest loans for timely projects such as major interconnects. For Northern Nash, consultants described sewer system upgrades with the Dorches lift station and force main under construction (project value reported at roughly $879,000) and identified a small number of additional lift‑station or force‑main projects that could be scheduled in years five and ten.

County staff said the AIA deliverable is online and will be integrated with county GIS; field crews will be able to access valve, hydrant and meter locations and condition photos in the field. Commissioners and staff discussed possible expansion strategies and system development fees to ensure developers who create extensions bear an appropriate share of infrastructure costs.

Next steps: staff will use the AIA to prioritize grants, refine the CIP and evaluate the county's system development fee options for new construction to avoid shifting costs to existing customers.

Quotation: "We've located everything that we could above ground to date," Tolson said, noting the deliverable includes photos, condition scores and a searchable GIS layer for operations and planning.