As the main source of drinking water for Fayetteville and Cumberland County, the Cape Fear River serves as the lifeline for the residents of our community and the surrounding areas. The Town of Fuquay-Varina is seeking state approval for an Interbasin Transfer certificate that would authorize withdrawal of 6.17 million gallons of water from the Cape Fear River.
An Interbasin Transfer refers to the process of withdrawing surface water from one river basin and subsequently discharging the wastewater into a different basin. Under this proposal, rather than returning treated wastewater to the Cape Fear River Basin, the discharge would occur in the Neuse River Basin.
This approach will almost certainly have implications for the long-term stability of our region's primary water source.
Every day, the Fayetteville Public Works Commission delivers safe and reliable drinking water to over 250,000 residents within our service territory, while also supporting nearby communities like Fort Bragg, Hoke County, the Town of Spring Lake, and the Town of Stedman. This river, a limited and essential resource, must be managed with care and responsibility. It doesn’t belong to any one person or group; instead, the Cape Fear River is a vital, shared resource that sustains life throughout our region.
Since PWC was chartered in 1905 and began offering water services, our mission has been to help manage this river carefully for the wellbeing of all communities, both local and downstream. As a regional water supplier, we recognize and acknowledge statewide water needs, however our focus remains in delivering safe, affordable, regulation-compliant water with enough supply for current residents and future growth.
Responsible resource stewardship is returning water to the river promptly, which supports all local communities' growth, sustainability, and ultimate viability.
When water is permanently diverted and not returned, the river’s flow decreases, straining the ability of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, Fort Bragg, and other downstream communities to access the water they need for drinking, sanitation, industry, agriculture, and recreation. Over time, the ongoing loss of this volume of water will lead to water shortages, hamper economic growth, and reduce the Cape Fear River’s capacity to support healthy ecosystems, ultimately threatening the wellbeing and prosperity of our entire region.
The absence of returning water to the basin from which it was taken should raise alarm for all who depend on the Cape Fear River’s enduring vitality. PWC keeps water in the Cape Fear River Basin by withdrawing, treating, and returning it to the same source.
This closed loop supports both local and downstream communities. When water is removed without being returned, river levels drop over time, especially during droughts, impacting drinking water, industry, recreation and PWC's infrastructure.
These risks are especially important because the basin currently provides resources to hundreds of thousands of people as well as a key military facility.
The Cape Fear River has sustained our region for generations, supporting families, businesses, and national defense. It is a shared resource, not a commodity to be moved from one basin to another for convenience. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Management Commission must reject this Interbasin Transfer request as proposed and uphold a principle that has served this state well: water drawn from the Cape Fear River Basin should stay in the
Cape Fear River Basin.
No one can predict what river conditions will look like decades from now. Climate change, population growth, and industrial demand make it even more important to protect what we have. Once water is allowed to leave the basin, it does not come back.
PWC has a long history of defending the Cape Fear River from similar proposals. With your help, we have successfully challenged past attempts to move water out of the Cape Fear River Basin, ensuring that this essential resource remains available for the people who depend on it.
Those efforts reflect our responsibility not only to our current customers but also to future generations.
We need your help again; our community’s future depends on it.
How You Can Help
Protecting the Cape Fear River Basin requires community action. Attending public hearings on the Interbasin Transfer proposal is a direct way to make an impact and show support for preserving our water source.
Join a hearing to voice your concerns and advocate for responsible stewardship.
Public Hearing Details
• Fayetteville, N.C.
When: 6 p.m., Dec. 4, 2025
Where: Fayetteville Technology Community College, Cumberland Hall Auditorium, 2220 Hull Road, Fayetteville, N.C.
Register: Sign-in and speaker registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.
• Raleigh, N.C.
When: 6 p.m., Dec. 9, 2025
Where: Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, N.C., 27604
Register: Sign-in and speaker registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Parking information: Public parking will be available after 5 p.m. at Parking Deck 64, which is located across North Salisbury Street from the Archdale Building. Please see the Interactive State Parking Map for additional parking options: https://www.doa.nc.gov/divisions/state-parking/interactive-state-parking-map
• Pittsboro, N.C.
When: 6 p.m., Dec. 11, 2025
Where: Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 U.S. Hwy 64 West Business, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312
Register: Sign-in and speaker registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.
By attending a public hearing, registering to speak, and sharing your perspective, you will help ensure that our community's concerns are heard and considered. Together, we can protect the Cape Fear River Basin and the future of our region.
Help us Save Our Water.
Very truly yours,
Fayetteville Public Works
Commission
Richard King, Chairman, PWC Board of Commissioners