State Allocates $270 Million to Harden Western North Carolina Water Infrastructure

North Carolina moved on December 12 to direct $270 million toward repairing and hardening water, wastewater and septic systems damaged by Tropical Storm Helene, marking one of the largest targeted infrastructure efforts tied to Helene recovery across the region. The money comes from the State Revolving Fund Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and related disasters and will fund 58 projects across 26 mountain counties. More than 50 projects in the Asheville area are listed among those that will receive support.

For Buncombe County residents the package aims to reduce the risk of future service outages and limit contamination risks when heavy rains or flooding occur. Upgrades to wastewater treatment facilities and septic systems can protect drinking water sources and reduce the likelihood of sewage releases into rivers and streams that local communities rely on for recreation and downstream municipal intakes. Hardening infrastructure also means replacing vulnerable equipment elevating critical systems and improving stormwater handling so utilities can better withstand the next major storm.

The program emphasizes long term flood resilience as well as immediate repairs. That focus aligns with wider state and regional strategies to move from emergency response to durable adaptation as extreme weather events have become more frequent and intense. For municipal leaders and utilities in Buncombe County this funding should relieve budget pressure and accelerate projects that might otherwise be delayed for years.

Local officials will oversee distribution and implementation of specific projects. Residents should expect announcements from municipal utilities and county agencies about individual construction schedules permit processes and any temporary service interruptions. The investments will also shape planning decisions by reducing vulnerability in neighborhoods that flooded during Helene and helping secure critical services for hospitals schools and businesses.

Beyond immediate repairs the allocation is intended to support public health environmental protection and economic stability in mountain communities that depend on resilient water systems. As the region prepares for future storms the funding provides a significant federal and state backed resource to strengthen infrastructure that underpins daily life in Buncombe County.