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JACKSON – The Environmental Protection Agency has tasked local governments with conducting an inventory of water service lines in order to identify pipes which may contain lead.

The deadline to complete that work is October 15.

Earlier this year, in March, the Northampton County Board of Commissioners authorized staff to apply for funding for the project from the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Division of Water Quality through a State Revolving Fund loan.

The county can receive up to $1 million, of which 85 percent will be forgiven. The rest of the loan will be repaid at zero percent interest from the county’s Enterprise (Water & Sewer) Fund.

In order to receive the funds, the next step is to gain approval from the Local Government Commission (LGC). The commissioners approved a resolution to send to the LGC during their regular meeting on Monday, August 5.

But there was some discussion amongst the board before the vote.

“[Lead pipes] are old. They need to be changed out,” said Board Chair Charles Tyner.

He emphasized the importance of removing lead pipes to provide safer, cleaner water, saying “this is just a great opportunity.”

“There are areas in the county this will greatly benefit,” said Northampton Public Works Director Becky Turner.

She explained that lead pipes were banned after 1986, so they don’t have to worry about water lines put into place after that. But they do have to check the county’s older systems.

“This report is not something that’s optional. This report is mandated by EPA to be completed,” she stated.

Commissioner Melvetta Broadnax Taylor asked if this project required engineering reports and environmental impact studies.

Northampton Economic Development Director Derrick Bennett answered no, emphasizing that this phase one of the project is just for inventory.

“There are additional phases related to the replacement of the lines. But this particular phase is the identification of the lead service lines,” he said.

Broadnax Taylor expressed concern that the funding was a loan instead of a grant, but Bennett pointed out that it was the only pot of money available to use for the project.

“We’re going to take advantage of any pool of money that’s out there,” added County Manager Julian Phillips.

Phillips also noted that the board couldn’t delay approving the resolution in order to send it to the LGC in time for that organization’s next meeting.

Broadnax Taylor again expressed concern that they didn’t have enough time to absorb all the information about the loan request.

Bennett pointed out that the board gave permission to apply for the funding earlier this year. Phillips added that they were only notified of the funding allocation in July.

Commissioner Ed Martin spoke up in favor of the funding, noting that they may not even need the full $1 million to complete the work, meaning that the amount to repay would be even lower.

He motioned to approve the resolution, and Tyner provided the second.

The motion passed 2-1, with Broadnax Taylor casting the dissenting vote.

Commissioners Geneva Faulkner and Kelvin Edwards were unable to attend last week’s meeting.