PROJECT: Cranberry, Avery County NC

Background info


  • Unincorporated community with severe water quantity problems
  • Population: approximately 130

Cranberry is a small mountain community of approximately 60 households that has faced chronic water quantity problems for years. NCRCAP has assisted the Cranberry Water Association in an effort to resolve the community's water supply concerns and help the water system achieve compliance with Safe Drinking Water regulations. NCRCAP encouraged the Association to rewrite their bylaws to conform to current standards and provided a Small Water System Board Member training to increase the Association's managerial, financial, and technical capacity. The Association also hired a certified operator, installed a meter to record daily water usage, upgraded the well house, and added a chlorinator to disinfect the water supply. While many objectives with bringing together stakeholders and identifying resources were met, ultimately the best solution for addressing Cranberry's water quantity problem – connecting to the water system in the neighboring town, Elk Park – was originally rejected by the governing board of the Water Association.

Timeline

  • In 2004, NCRCAP partnered with a NC American Water Works Association (AWWA) Outreach Committee engineer to produce a Preliminary Engineering Report outlining Cranberry's water system options and identifying the best alternative of extending water lines from Elk Park to Cranberry.
  • With a PER in hand, NCRCAP worked with project stakeholders and Avery County to submit a funding application to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) High Unit Cost grant program.
  • In August 2005 the high unit cost application was awarded to Avery County.
  • Throughout 2005 and 2006, NCRCAP continued to work with the residents, High Country Council of Governments, engineers, and local and state government staff to move the project forward and secure an adequate water source for the community.
  • NCRCAP has also identified an alternative storage tank site location, acquired utility easements, and coordinated a pre-bid meeting in the community. In addition, NCRCAP has completed all required Consumer Confidence Reports for submission to the NC DENR Public Water Supply Section.
  • As construction proceeds throughout 2007, NCRCAP works with the residents to encourage sign ups, collect security deposits, and help them apply for USDA 504 loan/grant funds to finance the plumbing connection to the water line.
  • NCRCAP anticipates construction to begin in spring 2007 with a completion time of six months from the start date.