7/6/2026 Carroll County Public Service Authority Meeting.

The Carroll County Public Service Authority held a meeting on July 6, 2026, focusing primarily on updates and decisions related to wastewater treatment and infrastructure projects. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the Exit One regional wastewater project, where the Authority received a consent order involving a civil charge of approximately $22,791 due to compliance issues with E.coli and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) limits. The board discussed necessary plant upgrades, including installing automated screens, flow meters, and chlorine systems, with estimated costs around $680,000 to $700,000 to bring the plant into compliance. They also considered long-term solutions such as connecting to Mount Airy, North Carolina, but noted challenges with cross-state infrastructure ownership and maintenance liabilities. The board authorized the signing of the consent order to meet the response deadline and acknowledged the need to plan for funding, potentially through loans or rate increases. Additionally, the Authority approved a $4,500 waterline extension project on Beauty Shop Road, with associated connection fees discussed. A grant of approximately $68,000 was also mentioned for portable generators and transfer switches to maintain water service during power outages. The meeting concluded with expressions of appreciation for staff efforts and recognition of ongoing challenges with the Exit One project.