Sanford · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sanford public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Gaster's Creek Sewer Basin Improvements
The council approved a slate of water and sewer projects: relocating TriRiver water lines for NCDOT road widening, safety conversions at the Chatham County and Siler City treatment plants, the Pittsboro water main connection, and the Gaster's Creek sewer basin improvements. These keep service safe and support growth, with most costs billed to partner towns' utility cost centers.
Water Treatment Plant Safety Conversions (Chatham County and Siler City)
Both the Chatham County and Siler City water treatment plants are moving from ammonium gas to liquid ammonium sulfate — a safer chemical to handle. Design work totals about $816,000 combined, paid through the respective utility cost centers.
Water Line Relocation for NCDOT Road Widening (TIP HE-0006)
NCDOT is widening Pea Ridge and Corinth Roads for the Project Blue development in Moncure, and TriRiver Water lines in the way need to move. The city signed a betterment agreement covering its share, about $487,000, paid through the Chatham County Utility Cost Center.
Utility infrastructure funding — clarifier and Hatley Road water line
Council set up funding for a water tank property purchase and approved $418,049 for a temporary clarifier at the Pittsboro wastewater plant while the permanent one is built — both borne by Pittsboro utility funds, not Sanford's general budget.
Chatham Park regional water/sewer agreement
Sanford takes ownership of the Clearwater Wastewater Treatment Plant, expansion land, a water tower and new customers, while giving Chatham Park a reserved sewer capacity of up to 2 million gallons a day over up to 25 years. The $1.9 million payment comes from Pittsboro-area rates, not Sanford's.
7% Water and Sewer Rate Increase and Tri-River Rate Parity
The proposed budget raises water and sewer rates 7% — about $5.12 more per month for an average in-city customer. Council members pressed staff on whether Sanford is subsidizing merged partner systems and questioned the timeline for reaching rate parity, which staff said could take decades.
Lead service line inventory funding
Sanford is administering $1 million in state revolving loan funds for lead service line inventories across Chatham County, Pittsboro and Siler City — part of the national push to find and replace lead pipes.