NC H1058

Direct the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee to include a study in the 2014-2015 Work Plan examining benefits of merging public water systems and wastewater collection and treatment works.

Program Evaluation Division shall investigate whether benefits achieved by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, and Two Rivers Utilities can be replicated for other systems.

Study shall examine whether the State can incentivize well-performing water and sewer systems to purchase, interconnect with, or enter into joint management agreements with systems that do not provide affordable, reliable, and compliant service.

Study shall determine whether well-performing systems can apply for grant funding or other assistance on behalf of underperforming systems if funding is contingent on purchase, interconnection, or joint management agreement.

Program Evaluation Division shall submit findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee and Environmental Review Commission.