TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Timothy L. Bryant, CEO/General Manager Fayetteville Public Works Commission
FROM: Tyler Patton, PWC Chief Communications & Community Relations Officer
Misty Manning, Chief Operations Officer, Water Resources
DATE: November 24, 2025
RE:Title
PWC - Adoption of Resolution in Opposition to Interbasin Transfer (IBT) CertificateTitle
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
This item supports the City Council’s Strategic Plan Goal I: Safe and Secure Community; Goal 2: Diverse and Viable Economy; Goal 3: Invested in Today and Tomorrow; Goal 4: Desirable Place to Live; and Goal 5: Financially Sound City.
Executive Summary:
The Town of Fuquay-Varina is seeking approval for an Interbasin Transfer (IBT) Certificate to support their future water needs and Fayetteville PWC is opposed to this action. Therefore, the Council is asked to support a resolution in opposition for the State of North Carolina to consider.
Background:
Fuquay-Varina currently depends on purchasing water from neighboring systems, but those supplies are expected to fall short as early as 2030. Their preferred alternative is to take water from the Tri-Rivers Water Treatment Plant located on the Cape Fear River Basin upstream of PWC. Their request would allow for the transfer of 6.17 million gallons per day from the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse River Basin.
Issues/Analysis:
PWC is opposed to this option as their interest is to preserve the short- and long-term needs of the communities downstream along the Cape Fear River, including Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Any transfer request that does not return the water back to the Cape Fear River Basin has potential long-term effects to anyone downstream of the request, including PWC customers. Long-term effects include future availability of water to meet our community’s needs and sustainability of water resources in our basin.
PWC is advocating that any IBT permit should require returning the water to the Cape Fear River Basin as not to impact over half a million North Carolina residents who depend on this as their primary water source.
Budget Impact:
N/A
Options:
1. Adopt the Resolution and direct staff to prepare a formal communication to the State of NC
2. Request staff provide additional options and information for consideration. 3.
3. Do not adopt the Resolution and take no further action.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Adopt the Resolution and direct staff to prepare a formal communication to the State of North Carolina.
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Attachments:
IBT Resolution