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Sam's Branch Water Reclamation Facility
Project Update
The Town of Clayton continues to make progress in the effort to build a new water reclamation facility along the Neuse River. This is the largest project in the Town's history and includes construction of a facility capable of treating 6 million gallons of water per day (MGD). The facility will be built on a Town-owned site near the Neuse River at 1422 N O'Neil Street. The site is already home to other wastewater infrastructure and greenways.
The Town Council in late June voted to award the design-build portion of the project to Gannett-Fleming, a leader in infrastructure planning, design, technology, and construction management services. They also awarded the early grading, access road and water line phases of the project to Providence Construction.
Background
The Town's existing wastewater treatment plant is 55 years old and is nearing the end of its usefulness. The current site is too small for major enhancement or expansion and the facility will not be able to keep up with the demands of the growth in the region. The new plant will be better for the environment, equipped with more modern processes and equipment, and sized to meet the needs of our local businesses and growing community.
For More Information
See our FAQs, environmental reports and Town Council presentation on this page for more information about the Sam's Branch Water Reclamation Facility. You can also email the Town or call 919-553-5002, ext. 5009 with further questions.
- Why take on this project now?
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The current facility is not designed to meet future treatment requirements and its site is too small for major enhancement or expansion. The current facility will be used as long as feasible to minimize costs associated with building new facilities.
- Will this project increase wastewater rates?
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Rates will increase with or without this project. According to local and national research, no one is escaping the rising cost of treating wastewater. Neighboring communities such as Raleigh and Johnston County are also increasing rates due to the need for improved and expanded facilities to replace aging infrastructure.
- How much will rates increase?
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Rates are reviewed and adjusted by Town Council as part of the budget process. All efforts are being made to minimize rate increases and to spread increases over time.
- Are developers and businesses paying their fair share of the costs?
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Yes. The Town does not subsidize any class or type of customers. State statutes now restrict the amount of money municipalities can charge developers, however, we do have out-of-town customers who pay higher out-of-town rates.
- Why can’t we send our wastewater to another community for treatment?
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The Town currently has agreements with Johnston County and Raleigh to treat some of our wastewater. However, those communities have their own treatment and capacity issues. Both are also increasing rates. The Town will continue to maintain those agreements and positive relationships but will need to be responsible for its own wastewater treatment in the future.
- Compared to the old plant, will the new plant be better for the environment?
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Yes, the new plant will be equipped with more modern processes and equipment than the current plant. All state and federal environmental requirements, both now and reasonably expected in the future, will be met. The Town has completed an extremely rigorous permitting process.
- How long will it take to build the plant?
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The entire process will take about four years. The project kicked off in July 2020 with public engagement workshops. In late June 2021 the Town Council awarded the design-build contract for the project to Gannett-Fleming and the site clearing and access contract to Providence Construction.
- How will construction impact the general public?
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The site is in the woods near the Neuse River. An access road will be built to accommodate construction traffic from Covered Bridge Road. Traffic studies and turn lanes will be used to minimize the impacts of construction traffic. The project will also impact at least a portion of the Clayton River Walk on the Neuse Greenway in the vicinity of the existing Neuse 2 Pump Station.