PROJECT: Maple Hill, Pender County, NC

Background info

  • Unincorporated African American community with several historic sites
  • Severe wastewater problems
  • Significant natural heritage and home to globally rare plant species
  • Population: approximately 2,200
  • Median household income: approximately $31,000

The residents of Maple Hill in northeastern Pender County have long lived with the public health risks posed by failing septic systems and wastewater straight pipes. Soil types unsuitable to onsite septic systems, high water tables, and periodic flooding during extreme rain events contribute to the high rate of failing systems. The same soil and hydrologic conditions also make it a great area to host some of the stateês most important plant species and ecosystems. A solution to Maple Hillês wastewater problems was needed that addressed public health concerns, but also met goals related to preserving these vital biological communities and improving water quality.

NCRCAP has worked with residents of the Maple Hill community, Pender County government, and other partners to work to find such a solution. NCRCAP and its project partners have developed a successfully funded proposal to construct an innovative community wastewater collection and treatment system in Maple Hill that creates a model for other rural areas attempting to address multiple community and environmental goals. The innovative design proposes using pretreatment technology at clusters of homes with final treatment at a common disposal site using drip irrigation. Not only will this system meet the needs of the Maple Hill community, but has the potential to provide wastewater services for the newly created Sandy Run Savannas State Natural Area, a several hundred acre state park. This natural area along with adjacent protected lands in and surrounding the Maple Hill Wastewater project service area are part of a regional conservation effort known as the Onslow Bight Conservation Region -- an important network of lands representing unique ecosystems throughout the Southeast NC region with many rare and endangered species as well as exceptional wetland and savanna ecosystems. The innovative wastewater system will contribute positively to supporting this unique area and give residents an improved quality of life.

» Read news article "Grant revives Maple Hill's Hope for Sewer"

Timeline

  • In 2002, NCRCAP completes a wastewater needs assessment throughout the Maple Hill community and documented that over 50% of households had a severe need for wastewater services.
  • In 2003, NCRCAP partners with the NC American Water Works Association's Outreach Committee to begin completion of an engineering feasibility study for wastewater services for Maple Hill.
  • In the Fall of 2003, NCRCAP completes a funding application to the NC Rural Economic Development Center for financing of an community wastewater system using innovative technology
  • In 2003 through 2006 NCRCAP initiates and maintains a partnership with the NC Nature Conservancy and NC Division of Parks and Recreation to secure land for the wastewater treatment site.
  • In 2005 and 2006 NCRCAP updates Rural Center application information and learns that the project will receive almost $2.8 million in funding.
  • In 2006, NCRCAP prepares application to the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund for the County to use to secure additional funding.