McDowell County, Marion and Old Fort have held early talks about a water line along U.S. 70 that would connect the two existing water systems. On July 13, county commissioners were told there may be enough county-held money to build the line but that it would be better to look for outside funding to make sure there is enough to finish it. They voted 4-0 to pursue funding for the connection and get updates.
County Manager Ashley Wooten told commissioners on Aug. 10 that staff had met with representatives of the town and city and that the first step in deciding whether the project is feasible is a surface water blending study. He expected an engineering firm's proposal in roughly 60 days. The study would need 30 days of sampling from both systems, and local staff could do the testing to save money. Water system updates were on the commissioners' Oct. 12 agenda; minutes from that meeting haven't been posted.
The talks come during a dry year for Marion's water supply. On Aug. 18, City Manager Woody Ayers told the City Council that Marion remained under Stage 2 water restrictions set through the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group. Two of the group's three drought indicators were in good standing, but the six-month average stream flow was about 46% of its long-term average, and all three must rise above the Stage 2 level before restrictions can be lifted, Ayers said.
The connection is one of several county water projects. In Nebo, the East End project was wrapping up in August, a small extension near Exit 90 was nearly ready to bid, and construction on Phase 3, on Randolph Road, began Aug. 5; the county also received a grant and loan combination for a water storage tank there. For lines in the Providence area and to West Marion Elementary School, the engineer had delivered 90% plans for staff review. Wooten said the Nebo work is funded mainly by the county's $11 million state appropriation and project grants; the Providence and West Marion Elementary work by a state appropriation, Appalachian Regional Commission funds and Board of Education funds; and an inventory of the county's water assets by $400,000 from the state Department of Environmental Quality.