Updates on Johnston County-Clayton Water Supply Options

Johnston County Commissioners were recently briefed on ways to make the long-term water supply program more affordable.

The Johnston County (NC) Board of Commissioners was briefed on a short-term water supply assessment at their regular June 16 and July 21, 2025, board meetings. The assessment’s purpose is to evaluate whether there are more affordable alternatives to meet customer needs in the 2030 to 2040 timeframe.

The current long-term water supply targets providing Johnston County with adequate water through 2050. The cost of that program, known as the Lower Neuse Water Supply Program, was recently increased again to $770M.

The financial model for Johnston County was recently updated. Currently, the integration of the County’s model and the Town of Clayton model is being performed. Including scenarios for additional wholesale agreements with Raleigh, Wilson, Harnett County, and Goldsboro will be performed next.

Johnston County and the Town of Clayton, the county’s two largest utilities, are partnering on the water supply program. Both boards have expressed concerns about the affordability of water to customers. Both utilities are completing major wastewater system upgrades and have raised rates to meet those needs.

Commissioners are looking for updated scenarios in the financial model. “We don’t need all of our eggs in one basket.  We need options available to us,” stated Commissioner Bill Stovall.

---

JD Solomon Inc. provides solutions for program development, asset management, and facilitation at the nexus of facilities, infrastructure, and the environment. Visit our Program Development page for more information on businesses cases, third-party assessments, phasing projects, and related services.