Sanford reviews water operations and infrastructure projects

The Sanford City Council discussed water operations, a PFAS study and a culvert project at the Oct. 14 work session.

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are commonly known as forever chemicals.

TriRiver Water Expands Laboratory

Dale Deaton, TriRiver Water Laboratory Pretreatment Manager, presented updates on laboratory operations and pollutant monitoring. Deaton confirmed the lab expanded to five full-time employees to accommodate industry growth and testing demand across Lee and Chatham counties.

The utility monitors 14 Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) through its pretreatment program: 10 in Sanford and four in Siler City. The Sanford facilities include COTY, Caterpillar (two facilities), Trion, Astellas, STI Polymer, Arauco Panels, Pfizer, Hydrotube and Green Meadows. The Siler City facilities are Mountaire, Siler City Water Plant, Wolfspeed and Brookwood Farms.

The monitored industries span pharmaceutical manufacturing, food processing, chemical manufacturing, wood products, and automotive equipment manufacturing. These industries meet federal and state pretreatment standards before discharging wastewater into the municipal system.

Since the mergers with Pittsboro (2024) and Chatham County/Siler City (2025), the Sanford lab has assumed management of Siler City’s laboratory operations.

Pittsboro’s integration remains in progress.

“Right now, [Pittsboro is] just sending their stuff off, so we’re trying to figure out the logistics of how we’re going to be able to manage that,” Deaton said. “The one thing we don’t want to do is just jump the gun too quickly and then be in a position where we’re not able to manage that correctly once we take over.”

On July 1, Chatham County and Siler City water utility customers officially joined TriRiver Water, adding approximately 17,000 customers and increasing the customer base to around 40,000.

TriRiver Water now services an area nearly the size of Rhode Island.

Council Addresses Regional Water Quality Studies and Treatment Projects

The council reviewed funding for two regional water infrastructure projects required by state environmental regulations.

The state provides funds for municipalities to conduct studies to determine what treatment is needed to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water regulations: under the Safe Drinking Water Act, implemented new rules finalized in April 2024 to require public water systems that exceed the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for certain PFAS to implement treatment and reduce PFAS levels by 2029.

This prompted Chatham County to propose a four-year study with the City of Sanford, since it lacks one.

The council reviewed bid recommendations for the Siler City Water Treatment Plant Solids Handling Project. While not a Sanford project, the city is accepting bids because the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) provided a grant, and the city has $1.5 million in funding that must be spent before the year’s end.

Staff recommended awarding the contract to Bearing Construction, which had previously worked in Siler City. The DEQ must approve the contract before work begins.

Flooding and runoff remain ongoing concerns across the region. Heavy rainfall this summer caused multiple sewage overflows in TriRiver Water’s service area.

On June 5, flash flooding in Sanford caused overflows at four manholes, discharging 3,900 gallons of wastewater into Little Buffalo Creek and Skunk Creek.

A month later, Tropical Storm Chantal’s rain caused two spills at TriRiver’s Siler City facilities, releasing approximately 72,750 gallons of untreated wastewater into Loves Creek.

Sandhills News is conducting a survey of Lee County residents who have experienced flooding, particularly in East Sanford. bit.ly/SanfordFloodingSurvey 

Council Considers $2.5 Million Culvert Project

The council examined a proposed culvert project and greenway path connecting the Sanford Municipal Center to the Pilgrim Agricultural Center under Weatherspoon Street, buffered by Little Buffalo Creek.

The project is designed to increase stormwater management while serving as a gateway between the Pilgrim Sanford Agricultural Marketplace and the new municipal campus. The revitalized public space will extend from Charlotte Avenue and First Street downtown to the Municipal Center on Weatherspoon Street.

Mary DePina, a city civil engineer, presented the bid application process. After an initial August 11 bid failed to attract the required three bidders, a second bid on Aug. 20 received three responses. Roadworks Construction of Apex submitted the lowest bid at approximately $2.5 million.

There were notable differences in the bids.

“That is a huge gap!” stated Council Member Linda Rhodes.

DePina explained that contractors sometimes inflate certain line items to build in contingency, and busy contractors may submit high bids with an “If I get it, good for me” mentality.

Council member Charles Taylor expressed concern about discrepancies between competing bids. Comparing specific line items, he noted that for the blowoff assembly and water main connection, one bidder quoted $3.4 million while Roadworks quoted $900,000, a $2.5 million difference for those components alone.

City staff said their consulting firm, Freese and Nichols, reviewed the bid tabs and confirmed the math was correct. Several council members noted that Roadworks is a relatively new company with no completed culvert projects listed on its website. However, staff reaffirmed that the company is licensed to perform the work in North Carolina, assuring the council that contract provisions allow the city to sever ties if necessary and that, if Roadworks defaults, the city can work with its bonding company to find a replacement contractor.

According to Assistant City Manager Beth Kelly, $2.6 million in grant funding will cover most costs, with the city contributing $830,000 from recently approved limited obligation bonds.

The project will require the temporary closure of Weatherspoon Street, with at least two weeks’ notice for public safety and schools.

The ordinance amendment and bid award will be considered at the Oct. 21 council meeting.

Oct. 16, 2025

Diara J. Townes

Engagement Journalist

Diara is an award-winning journalist covering the environment, government and business, with a focus on marginalized communities and local stories.

Submit news tips, events and interview requests to editor@sandhills.news.