Seven Lakes: Moore Commissioners seek state help for sewer project as roads crumble and county water woes grow

The Moore Commissioners’ comprehensive work session on Jan. 14 opened with a request to the General Assembly for permission to install infrastructure and roads in Seven Lakes.

The private subdivision in West End, designed in the 1970s by Derrell W. Mullins AIA, was originally planned and developed as a summer home and retirement community with resort-style amenities.

Now, 50 years later, it is crowded, underfunded, wants county sewer and road repairs and needs support. It has county water service.

Unless growth limitations are established, county sewer services in Seven Lakes may stimulate additional development. The removal of septic system restrictions through sewer service facilitates the approval of infill, redevelopment and more densely populated housing. If zoning caps, connection limits and a subdivision moratorium are not in place, infrastructure improvements designed to alleviate existing problems could facilitate accelerated growth in a community that is already under pressure.

Seven Lakes does not have funds to repair roads, which Chairman Nick Picerno, a resident, said were “horrible.”

Senator Tom McInnis said to have the county build the roads and let Seven Lakes take over with a pro-rated price.

A major obstacle is moving utilities because of cost and coordinating schedules.

Senator Tom McInnis said the General Assembly was working on a bill to regulate utility companies to work “in a converse and timely manner. I assume this is not the only case like this in the state. I’m sure others (Representatives) will want to come in with this on legislation.”

County Manager Wayne Vest reviewed county plans to install sewer in two phases.

McInnis told commissioners to consider installing the infrastructure all at once to prevent inflation costs later. He said to have the information ready for legislators by April, when they begin short sessions because they will only be there 60 to 90 days.

Water: “Let’s Make a Deal!”

Vest opened the discussion on the East Moore Water District Phase 5. He said that during the Jan. 6 meeting, the board passed a resolution for $5 to $6 million funding from the General Assembly and may have a matching 25% fund component to the resolution on Jan. 20.

McInnis said whichever county had the best offer on matching funds, equipment and county workers would win the funds.

“It’s chaos in Western Carolina…not enough contractors. Money depends on who offers the most for the people,” McInnis said.

Vice-Chairman Jim Von Canon explained the dire water problems, saying people were using swimming pools, hauling in containers of water, and people had wells failing with only a quart of water per minute.

“People can’t act normal without water, can’t waste a drop. Try to go into the house and not use water for an hour,” Von Canon said.

Despite water concerns and well-water issues, there is no moratorium on subdivisions or set growth limits.

McInnis reiterated the importance of solving the county’s water issues because people “found out” about Moore County, and they will keep coming.

Von Canon recused himself because he lives near Crystal Lake.

Vest said that Southern Pines was still an option as a future water source, and Crystal Lake on Camp Easter Road may be the reservoir.

Vest said the North Carolina Department of Transportation would not rebuild Camp Easter Road until the dam was repaired. Tropical Storm Chantal in July 2025 destroyed the dam and road.

Moore County asked the General Assembly for authorization to work on the dam with a short-term fixed-rate loan.

“Need to make sure we’re not throwing good money away while we are waiting for better money,” McInnis said.

Commissioner Tom Adams said to install a temporary road, and they needed to repair the dam’s backside where it washed out.

“May take five years for a permanent fix down the road. FEMA will put (help pay) for the road,” Adams said about residents needing a fix now, so they did not have to keep driving the alternative route,” Adams said.

Public Works Director Brian Patnode explained the Crystal Lake project phases.

Patnode said that Mike Apple with Crystal Lake Support was securing FEMA funds and has agreed to transfer ownership to the county, which will occur “midstream.”

Adams said the overflow design had higher standards, and they needed a study to show how much water can be drawn from the lake.

McInnis said to build it all now, both phases, because prices were escalating and it would save money.

“Forward move this because we aren’t going down in population like some of these other counties,” McInnis said.

“We have seven million gallons per day. We do have water,” Patnode said about the county water service.

Read about other dam issues in the county here.

Jan. 16, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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