Brunswick County Reports New Progress on Northwest Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

Key components completed as project stays on track for 2026 milestones

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC — Brunswick County has released an updated progress report on the expansion and low‑pressure reverse osmosis upgrades at the Northwest Water Treatment Plant, confirming that the project remains on schedule for major milestones later this year. The project’s surety and contractor expect the expanded treatment capacity to be available in August 2026, with the reverse osmosis system operational by the end of the calendar year.

County officials report no changes to the original construction cost of $167.3 million and note that the County reserves the right to deduct liquidated damages due to contractor delays. No water rate increases are planned as a result of the project timeline.

Several major components of the expansion have recently been completed. Crews finished the new rapid mix structure, which blends coagulant chemicals into raw water at the start of the treatment process. Upgrades to the existing pulsator clarifiers are also complete with the installation of super pulsator technology, combining flocculation and clarification in a single basin. The expanded treatment capacity required eight new dual media filters, and crews have completed the 0.5‑million‑gallon Backwash Equalization Tank, which supplies backwash water for the filters and serves as a source of water for the reverse osmosis system.

Zurich American Insurance Company and Federal Insurance Company, the project’s surety partners, have overseen the work since September 2025 through a management group assigned to ensure task completion by Oscar Renda Construction. Any schedule updates are provided directly to the County by the surety.

County leaders say they remain committed to protecting residents who have waited years for a long‑term solution to PFAS contamination in drinking water.

Brunswick County began addressing PFAS concerns in 2017 after releases from Chemours’ Fayetteville Works facility contaminated the Cape Fear River. The low‑pressure reverse osmosis system being installed is considered the most effective treatment method for removing PFAS compounds.

Brunswick County continues to participate in a lawsuit with other regional utilities against DuPont and Chemours, seeking monetary damages for the costs associated with installing the new treatment system. The lawsuit remains active.

More information about the Northwest Water Treatment Plant Expansion and Reverse Osmosis Treatment Upgrades Project is available at brunswickcountync.gov/nwtp

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