Rebuilding Trust and Pipes: Restoring Water Quality in Rural America

In North Carolina, Granville County’s water issues are not isolated; rural communities across the United States face similar struggles as they balance growth with aging infrastructure. While the county's focus on expanding infrastructure for new construction responds to population growth and economic development, it creates a critical gap when the existing water systems fail to meet basic health standards. Water discoloration, unpleasant odors, and confirmed contamination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are indicators of systemic degradation that demand immediate intervention¹.

Failing to address these issues while expanding the service area compounds the problem. New development increases demand on already stressed water systems. Without parallel investment in treatment facilities, distribution lines, and source protection, the likelihood of further contamination and service failure grows. Municipal leaders must adopt a dual-track approach: strategically expand infrastructure to support growth while simultaneously investing in system rehabilitation and contamination mitigation.

Modernizing Legacy Water Infrastructure

Much of the water infrastructure in rural America was built decades ago, often with materials and technologies that are now outdated or inadequate for current demands. Granville County’s water treatment and distribution systems likely include cast iron or asbestos cement pipes, which are prone to corrosion and leaching. Replacing these with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or ductile iron pipes, which are more resistant to corrosion and chemical infiltration, is a foundational step toward improving water quality².

In addition to pipe replacement, communities should invest in advanced treatment technologies. Granular activated carbon (GAC) and ion exchange systems are proven methods for removing PFAS at municipal scales. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified these technologies as effective and scalable for communities of varying sizes³. Upgrading water treatment plants to include these systems allows for the immediate mitigation of toxic contaminants while longer-term source protection strategies are developed.

Implementing a Phased Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

To fund and sequence these infrastructure upgrades, municipalities should develop a phased Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that prioritizes health-critical projects. A CIP allows jurisdictions to align funding, engineering, and construction activities over a multi-year horizon, ensuring that the most urgent water quality issues are addressed first. Projects should be ranked using a risk-based assessment, evaluating both the severity of water quality violations and the vulnerability of affected populations⁴.

In Granville County, this could mean initiating Phase 1 with the installation of PFAS filtration at the main treatment plant, followed by Phase 2 upgrades to the distribution system in areas with the highest contamination reports. Future phases could include the addition of backup wells or interconnections with neighboring systems to improve resiliency. Transparent communication with residents about timelines, funding sources, and expected outcomes will be key to maintaining public trust throughout the process.

Leveraging Federal and State Funding Programs

Rural communities often face financial constraints that limit their ability to invest in infrastructure upgrades. However, numerous federal and state programs are designed to support water system improvements. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 allocated $50 billion for water infrastructure, including $10 billion specifically for addressing PFAS and other emergin