By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A water line for neighbors of Duke Energy’s Buck Steam Station moved one step closer to the start of construction Monday when the county commissioners approved a contract with the company.

During its Monday meeting, the Rowan County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement that outlines financial details for the water line. The Commissioners will oversee construction of the water line and await reimbursements from Duke Energy. With 173 customers ready to sign up, county officials estimate the average water bill will be between $62 and $72 per month — a range that seemed high to some Dukeville residents.

The total cost of the Dukeville water line, including fees and contingencies, is projected at $5.13 million. The completion deadline included in the agreement is October 2018.

State law requires Duke Energy to remedy concerns about whether private wells have been contaminated by coal ash ponds. The company, however, has maintained that there’s no evidence its coal ash affects nearby water wells. Regardless, questions about unsafe water during the previous two years led to mixed messages about water quality from state environmental regulators, Dukeville residents abstaining from using private wells, and a settlement between the Yadkin Riverkeeper and Duke Energy that requires coal ash excavation.

Commissioners drafted plans for Dukeville water lines for economic development purposes before coal ash contamination concerns surfaced. As controversy bubbled to a boil, they slowly shifted toward a plan to provide residents with water.

The water line would be 6 inches in diameter at its largest point. The county would pay for any upgrades or a bigger line that could serve industrial sites.

County Manager Aaron Church described a series of agreements that will involve Salisbury-Rowan Utilities, the city of Salisbury, Duke Energy and Rowan County.

“There’s a lot of steps that are going to take place and need to be put into place,” Church said. “We’re trying to work under a lot of different timeframes and lot of different deadlines.”

Church spent a significant amount of Monday’s meeting describing how the water line will operate. Rowan County will own the water line. Salisbury-Rowan Utilities will sell county government water, be paid to maintain the line and handle billing, Church said.

Yet to be approved are agreements between the city and county that will allow for the purchase of water and maintenance, he said.

So far, 173 of the 191 eligible households in the Dukeville area have indicated a preference for the water line over other options offered by Duke Energy — filtration or nothing at all. With that number, Church said, customers would pay a $62 minimum for water. Church said water bills could decrease depending on whether additional houses hook up to the line.

If commissioners sign a major economic development deal in the area, prices could drop sharply, Church and Edds said.

Still, Dukeville residents who attended Monday’s meeting expressed frustration about the fees. Deborah Graham, a Dukeville resident and coal ash activist, said it could be difficult for people on fixed incomes to pay the estimated minimum. Graham said a number of residents in the area are retired.

Commissioners Vice Chairman Jim Greene noted that Duke Energy has offered to pay Dukeville residents’ water bills for 25 years, which is part of a larger financial package offered to them. Commissioner Craig Pierce said the commissioners shouldn’t discuss any settlement deals.

Graham also said Dukeville residents who become customers may become confused about who to call when there’s a water line problem — Duke, county government or Salisbury-Rowan Utilities.

Dukeville residents also expressed frustration that county officials have not been more engaged on coal ash questions. Residents have engaged County Commissioners rather than the opposite, some residents at Monday’s meeting said.

The agreement approved Monday sets Aug. 11 as the deadline for designing the water line and getting permits. A construction contractor must be selected by Sept. 30, according to the agreement.

Church said the deadlines are “aggressive” but the county can meet them.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.