Burnsville and Spruce Pine were among many communities across Western North Carolina whose water and sewer systems suffered severe damage from Hurricane Helene. Help may be on the way through a major federal grant.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded North Carolina $409.4 million to strengthen storm-resilient infrastructure. The funds, administered by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure, will provide long-term, zero-interest loans with principal forgiveness for communities hit by the hurricane.
Known as “SRF Helene Loans,” the program is open to local governments, nonprofit water and wastewater providers, and investor-owned drinking water companies. Eligible projects include drinking water, wastewater, and decentralized wastewater treatment systems, as well as upgrades such as treatment plant improvements, storage tank replacements, and flood protection for water sources.
The grant is part of a federal hurricane recovery package. Democratic Sen. Julie Mayfield described it as a “huge investment,” noting the difficulty in securing federal recovery funds for the region in the months after the storm. Republican Rep. Mark Pless said the money could also help communities that escaped major damage prepare their systems for future storms.
Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis through March 2, 2026.
