NC S413

Requires water system applicants to demonstrate that proposed construction or alteration of public water systems will be capable of interconnection with municipal, county, or regional systems located within the same subbasin.

Allows the Department of Health and Human Services to mandate interconnection with expanding municipal, county, or regional systems when necessary to promote public health, protect the environment, or ensure compliance with drinking water rules (with board of commissioners approval for multi-county connections).

Requires applicants to perform a financial analysis of reasonable alternatives to proposed water and wastewater system construction or alteration before approval, demonstrating the proposed project is appropriate.

Authorizes the Environmental Management Commission to require connection to municipal, county, or regional wastewater systems when necessary to protect public health, environment, or ensure water quality compliance.

Mandates that new or expanded wastewater treatment systems implement programs to reduce demand, analyze alternatives including created wetlands and wastewater reuse, and be designed to accommodate eventual interconnection with regional systems in the same subbasin; rules to be adopted by October 1, 2013.