AN ACT to appropriate funds to the lower cape fear water and sewer authority for water supply improvements.

Whereas, regional water supply connectivity and system redundancy in the lower Cape Fear region of the State is vital to the public health and economic vitality of the region due to the threats of PFAS contamination of surface and groundwater, salt water intrusion into groundwater supply aquifers, and the increasing frequency of hurricanes and other extreme flooding events; and

Whereas, the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority, which serves among others New Hanover and Pender Counties, is undertaking a project to construct a parallel raw water line needed to serve New Hanover and Pender Counties; and

Whereas, the first phase of the project has been funded, but $25 million in additional funding is required to complete the second phase of the project; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The sum of twenty‑five million dollars ($25,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2023‑2024 fiscal year is appropriated from the General Fund to the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority for water infrastructure improvements.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2023.