NC H538

Amends water and sewer authority powers to regulate and control water systems, sewerage systems, stormwater management programs, and drainage systems through ordinances after 60-day notice to governing bodies.

Authorizes water and sewer authorities to enter into reimbursement agreements with private developers or property owners for infrastructure design and construction included in capital improvement plans, with developers required to solicit competitive bids.

Allows water and sewer authorities to offer rewards up to $5,000 for information leading to arrest and conviction of persons committing vandalism, larceny, or damage to authority property.

Permits counties and municipalities to pledge security interests in escrow accounts or certificates of deposit to secure interest-free loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, subject to Local Government Commission approval.

Authorizes the Local Government Commission to approve 30-year maturity dates for water system loans (previously limited to 20 years) for local government units serving Tier I drought-vulnerable systems with loan amounts exceeding eight times annual operating revenue; allows metropolitan water districts and sewerage districts to enter into installment contract financing agreements.

Requires all public or community wastewater systems to accept and collect liquid condensate from residential heating and cooling systems.