News

Public hearing on Clear Creek sewer plant is Monday at NHHS

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 2, 2024

The state Department of Environmental Quality will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday at North Henderson High School to hear from the public on the proposed Clear Creek wastewater treatment near Fruitland Road.

Henderson County and its consulting engineers are seeking the state’s approval to build a plant treating 200,000 gallons a day, with a planned expansion up to 500,000 gallons, fed by 6.9 miles of new sewer line. The treatment plant would cover around a half-acre of a 15-acre site near the confluence of Clear Creek and Laurel Branch. Once on line, the new public sewer would treat wastewater currently being discharged into creeks or streams by older facilities, including ones at the WNC Justice Academy, Edneyville Elementary School, Blacksmith Run and Camp Judea. In addition, it’s expected that some homeowners and businesses on septic systems would tie into the new public sewer. The project, estimated to cost $21 million, is funded by a $12.7 million state grant and $9.3 million in American Rescue Plan money.

The public hearing is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5 at the North Henderson High School auditorium, 35 Fruitland Road. Speaker registration opens at 5:30 p.m. Written comments will also be accepted through 5 p.m. Feb. 6. Mail comments to Wastewater Permitting; Attn: Henderson County-Clear Creek WWTP Permit; 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C., 27699-1617. Comments must be postmarked no later than Feb. 6. Public comments may be submitted by email to publiccomments@deq.nc.gov. Include “Clear Creek WWTP” in the email subject line. Comments will be accepted via email until 5 p.m. Feb. 6.