CMSD Receives Grant

GRIFTON — It came just in time.

The Contentnea Metropolitan Sewerage District just received word it will get a $400,000 Supplemental Grant from the North Carolina rural Economic Development Center.

The grant, according to CMSD Manager Chuck Smithwick, will go toward rehabilitating approximately 4,500 linear feet of existing gravity flow sewer lines along N.C. 11.

The CMSD suffered another sewer spill on February 27 because of the inflow and infiltration that was due primarily to heavy rainfall and melting snow.

There is actually 2.1 miles of old concrete line that needs to be replaced. To replace it all will require from $1.5 million to $2.65 million, depending on the process used. the cheaper process involves slip lining existing pipe but will cut down on pipe diameter and may reduce the 2.85 million gallon per day of sewerage it can treat. The most expensive method will actually upgrade the pipe size.

Smithwick said he hopes to go back for a second $400,000 grant to cut down the amount the towns of Ayden, Grifton and Winterville will have to pay.

The CMSD also received a second Rural Center grant in the amount of $25,000. This grant will enable the CMSD to conduct a sewer system evaluation of the three sewer systems and update their Capital Improvement Plan.

Smithwick said he is hopeful that nearly $3 million will soon be spent in Ayden to rehab sewer line on Third Street will also reduce inflow and infiltration. Smith says the lift station near Ayden-Grifton High School cannot handle the flow there when there are heavy rains.

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