City scores $2 million for sewer plant renovations


City Manager Ray Griffin offered congratulations to Assistant City Manager Frank Frazier and Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Tom Spain for securing a $1.5 million grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund for the replacement of the UV sanitizing system at the sewage plant.

The grant coupled with $500,000 from the North Carolina Rural Center makes $2 million available for plant repairs.

Henderson is currently under a special order of consent from the state over its sewer woes.

Frazier noted to the council that there has been “quite a bit” of of video work, cleaning of sewage lines, and removal of tree roots which has been helping in the rehabilitation of Henderson’s aging sewer system.

In addition to authorizing the mayor to sign contracts regarding the disbursement of the grant funds, the council also voted to certify that water rates are no more than 1.5% of Henderson’s median household income.

Spain said that repairs at the sewage plant should be completed without putting city funds into it.

“This is a step in the right direction,” Frazier said.