Mebane Seeks Court Order Over Delayed Sewer Approvals, Projects

Mebane moved to the courts on December 11, 2025, seeking an order to compel Graham to timely review and sign state mandated Flow Tracing for Sewer Extension approvals, known as FTSEs, and to limit Mebane’s payment obligation toward Graham’s $84.6 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade. The complaint alleges that approvals for major projects were slow walked or withheld while the two cities disputed allocation of upgrade costs, and that those actions have delayed the start of construction for projects that would affect Alamance County’s economy and traffic patterns.

An NCDOT engineer has said the Buc-ee’s travel plaza timeline shifted from 2026 to mid 2027, a change Mebane links to delayed FTSE signatures. Mebane points to a specific FTSE submitted for Buc-ee’s on June 27, 2025 that was not signed until August 28, 2025, a two month delay compared with a customary 30 day turnaround. FTSEs trace how new sewer connections will flow through existing systems and are a state required step before developers can install sewer mains that typically must be in place before surface grading or building work proceeds.

The dispute draws on a 2017 capacity agreement between the two cities that governs allocation of sewer capacity and related cost responsibilities. Mebane’s court filing asks a judge to require timely FTSE reviews and signatures, and to clarify or limit how much Mebane must contribute to Graham’s plant upgrade. The outcome could affect schedules for the Koury mixed use retail and residential project and for infrastructure work in the commerce park where coordinated sewer, road, and drainage work involves Graham, Mebane, and Alamance County.

For local residents the practical impacts are immediate. Delays can push back job creation and sales tax revenue tied to new retail, extend construction disruptions for nearby neighborhoods, and increase costs for developers that are often passed on to consumers or absorbed by municipal budgets. The legal fight also raises broader questions about intergovernmental cooperation and how municipalities balance regional infrastructure investment with local fiscal responsibilities.

Court proceedings are expected to determine whether Graham must alter its FTSE review process and how costs for the wastewater upgrade will be apportioned. Project timelines already reflect the uncertainty, and local officials will need to coordinate closely to minimize further delays for development and infrastructure in Alamance County.