WEBSITE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Public Notices

EPA announces proposal to regulate PFAS in drinking water

DEQ provides assistance to public water systems

RALEIGH– Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation to establish legally enforceable levels for six PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known to occur in drinking water. Specifically, EPA is proposing an enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion (ppt), a level that can be reliably measured by most labs. The proposed rule would also regulate GenX chemicals, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFBS through the use of a Hazard Index calculation to determine if the combined levels of these PFAS pose a potential risk to human health. Once the proposed EPA rule becomes final, public water systems will have three years to comply with the regulation. More information on the EPA announcement and how to provide public comment is available here.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has been working with public water systems to prepare for the proposed regulation and assess PFAS levels in drinking water systems across the state. Under the Action Strategy for PFAS, DEQ is taking a whole-of-department approach to protect communities by identifying, reducing, and remediating PFAS pollution. DEQ is also utilizing federal funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help address PFAS contamination, including funding designated specifically for small, rural, and underserved communities.

“North Carolina has been leading efforts to address forever chemicals in our drinking water and today’s EPA announcement provides additional federal support and a roadmap for the public water systems in our state,” said Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser. “Having clear direction on national drinking water standards supports DEQ’s work with public water systems to protect the people of North Carolina.”

In late 2022, DEQ performed three months of sampling at 50 municipal and county water systems (map) identified in the 2019 PFAST Network study with PFOA/PFOS detections above the minimum reporting level indicated by the 2022 EPA interim health advisories or GenX above 10 ppt. DEQ is actively working with the systems on next steps and providing technical assistance.

Some public water systems in North Carolina are currently monitoring for PFAS voluntarily.  DEQ is also implementing plans to sample hundreds of smaller water systems that may not have that capability to better assess the levels of PFAS on a statewide basis. DEQ recommends that public water systems share their PFAS results with customers.

Beyond public water systems, DEQ has taken several actions to better identify PFAS sources and reduce emissions and discharges:

  • Requiring PFAS information from new facilities and industries and developing permit conditions as appropriate throughout the state;
  • Inventorying and prioritizing locations for additional assessment where these substances may have been manufactured, used, discharged or disposed;
  • Adding permit conditions as appropriate to address PFAS air emissions, waste generation, or wastewater discharges and require disclosure of data and additional monitoring;
  • Conducting groundwater testing and additional monitoring in areas with known or suspected PFAS contamination;
  • Requiring all solid waste sanitary landfills to include PFAS analyses of all regular groundwater, surface water and leachate samples;

DEQ continues to gather data to support setting regulatory standards and to provide technical assistance to facilities to reduce future PFAS pollution.

If you have public water, contact your water provider to find out whether they have sampled for PFAS and what steps they are taking to address PFAS.

If you are concerned about the level of PFAS in your drinking water, whether you are on a private well or public water system, you may consider adding filtration to reduce the amount of PFAS you consume. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has developed a list of filtration options, from whole house or under sink systems to pitcher of fridge filters with information on their effectiveness. NC DHHS Filtration Options and Sampling Factsheet

Additional information on PFAS is available on the DEQ website.

Accepting Sealed Bids for the Construction of Pender County Business Park Water & Sewer Improvements Contract B – Wastewater Plant Berm, EDA Grant # 04-01-07673

Sealed Bids for the construction of the Pender County Business Park Water & Sewer Improvements Contract B – Wastewater Plant Berm Project will be received, by Pender County at 605 E. Fremont Street, Burgaw, NC on March 28, 2023, until 2:00 p.m. local time, at which time the Bids received will be “publicly” opened and read aloud.

This project will be partially funded with Federal funds from the United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration and therefore is subject to the Federal laws and regulations associated with that program.

A pre-bid conference will be held at 2:00 PM local time on March 9, 2023.  The pre-bid conference will be conducted via a web-based meeting utilizing Microsoft Teams.  Interested parties wishing to join the web-based pre-bid conference may do so by sending an email to the following email address no later than March 8, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. local time.  Note that a physical meeting will not be held for the pre-bid conference and only the web-based meeting will be available to interested parties.  jfitzsimmons@mckimcreed.com

A Microsoft Teams link will be sent to all parties who provide an email address for the pre-bid conference no later than 8:30 a.m. local time on March 9, 2023.  Parties will utilize this link to join the web-based Microsoft Teams meeting.  Interested parties are advised that only audio may be available due to limitations with Microsoft Teams’ video capability.  Consequently, the pre-bid conference will be conducted via audio and interested parties may only hear the pre-bid conference as the video may not be available.  Attendance at the pre-bid conference is strongly encouraged but not mandatory.

The Project consists of the construction of:

  • Approximately 850 linear feet of 0 to 8-foot-tall flood control berm
  • Approximately 270 linear feet of 24-inch diameter C900 DR-18 PVC Wastewater Effluent Force Main Piping
  • Approximately 50 linear feet of (2) two parallel 24-inch Class IV RCP storm drainpipes
  • Miscellaneous Site Work, Grading, and Landscaping

Bids will be received for a single prime Contract. Bids shall be as indicated in the Bid Form. Bidders are not required to be pre-qualified to submit a bid for the Pender County Business Park Water & Sewer Improvements Contract B – Wastewater Plant Berm Project. The contractor is advised and shall meet the following project schedule for execution and completion of the project:

  • Pre-Bid Conference March 9, 2023, 2:00 PM local time
  • Public Bid Opening March 28, 2023, 2:00 PM local time
  • Notice of Award April 24, 2023
  • Notice to Proceed June 26, 2023

Prospective bidders may obtain copies of the Bidding Documents by contacting the Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents at: McKim & Creed, Inc., 243 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, Jamie Mabe Fitzsimmons, 910-343-1048, jfitzsimmons@mckimcreed.com Physical copies of the Bidding Documents will not be available for review at the Issuing Office.  Bidding Documents may also be examined on the Pender County website at www.pendercounty.nc.gov.  Click “I want to view all open RFPs and Bids”. Physical copies of the Bidding Documents will not be available for review at the offices of Pender County: https://pendercountync.gov/utl/.  Bidding Documents will be provided no later than February 28, 2023, at Carolinas Plan Room, 2527 S. 17th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401; online at Carolinas AGC www.cagc.org; and online through the McGraw Hill Construction Plan Room (dodge.construction.com).  Prospective Bidders should contact these entities to determine availability for obtaining or viewing the documents.  Bidding Documents are available on USB flash drives (as PDF files) for a non-refundable charge of $100.00, including shipping via overnight express service. Alternatively, printed Bidding Documents may be obtained from the Issuing Office via mail, upon Issuing Office’s receipt of payment for the Bidding Documents. The non-refundable cost of printed Bidding Documents is $200.00 per set, payable to “McKim & Creed, Inc.”, plus a non-refundable shipping charge. Upon Issuing Office’s receipt of payment, printed Bidding Documents will be sent via the prospective Bidder’s delivery method of choice; the shipping charge will depend on the shipping method chosen. The date that the Bidding Documents are transmitted by the Issuing Office will be considered the prospective Bidder’s date of receipt of the Bidding Documents.  Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Issuing Office. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including Addenda if any, obtained from sources other than the Issuing Office.

Pender County reserves the right to waive minor defects and to reject any/all bids.

 

 

Pender County breaks ground on new water tower and well fields

Pictured left to right are Pender County Fire and EMS Director Everette Baysden, Pender County Utilities Director Kenny Keel, Pender County Commissioner Jerry Groves, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners Jackie Newton, Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority Chairman Norwood Blanchard, Pender County Commissioner Wendi Fletcher-Hardee, and Pender County Manager David Andrews at the groundbreaking of a water infrastructure project in Scotts Hill. 

 

BURGAW- Pender County officials broke ground at the construction site of a new elevated water tank and well fields today.

“This infrastructure project is important to Pender County,” said Jackie Newton, Chair of the Pender County Board of County Commissioners. “We’re increasing the water capacity in Hampstead and Scotts Hill by approximately 750,000 gallons per day and most importantly will improve fire flow in the Scotts Hill area.”

The Pender County Utilities projects includes construction of a new 500,000-gallon elevated water tank and three well facilities.

“The tank and one well will be located adjacent to Pender EMS & Fire Station 18 in Scotts Hill,” said Kenny Keel, Pender County Utilities director.

The additional two wells will be constructed adjacent to South Topsail Elementary School on Hoover Road and the existing Hampstead elevated water tank on US17 near Topsail High School.

“We are appreciative of the collaboration with Pender Fire and EMS co-location of the tank and well in Scotts Hill,” said David Andrews, Pender County manager.

The total project cost is $13,187,000 and has a scheduled completion date of May 12, 2024.

Professional Consultant to Conduct Space Needs Assessment, RFQ # 230209-243

Pender County is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from professional consulting firms to conduct a space needs assessment of our court facilities, related offices and associated storage needs.  Responding firms must show a strong background in the planning of government facilities, including judicial facilities.  The County is seeking a firm whose combination of qualified experience and personnel will provide timely, cost-effective, and professional planning services.

The following outlines the anticipated timeline related to the Request for Qualifications, award of contract, and delivery/presentation of work products related to this RFQ. County reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to adjust this schedule as it deems necessary.

RFQ Issued February 9, 2023
Questions on RFQ Due February 17, 2023 by 2pm to purchasing@pendercountync.gov
Statements of Qualifications Due March 2, 2023 by 2pm to purchasing@pendercountync.gov

There will not be a formal opening.

Interviews with Short List Firms (if needed) March 3, 2023, times TBA
Recommendation to Board of Commissioners March 6, 2023
Notification of Award of Contract March 7, 2023
Price Negotiation and Contract Development March 6-10, 2023
Review of Scope and Project Kick Off March 13-16, 2023
Completion Date 120 days after executed contract

Pender County Government is statutorily responsible for providing appropriate facilities for court facilities and related functions: Judicial Chambers, District Court, Superior Court (monthly), Clerk of Court,  Public Defender’s Office, District Attorney’ Office, as well as administrative offices and records storage.  The Pender County Courts currently utilize the following spaces dedicated to court operations, administration and storage including:

Pender County Courthouse, 100 S Wright St, Burgaw – approx. 27,090 sq ft

Frances Dawson Basden Judicial Annex, 100 Dickerson St, Burgaw – approx. 6,000 sq ft

Biberstein House, 102 S Walker St, Burgaw – approx. 1,040 sq ft

Records Storage Space, leased, Burgaw – approx. 1,900 sq ft

Newly Purchased Offices, 301 S McNeil St, Burgaw – approx. 1,900 sq ft

Any questions on this RFQ should be submitted purchasing@pendercountync.gov no later than February 17, 2023 at 2pm.  Both the questions and corresponding answers will be published in the form of an Addendum.

All interested and qualified firms are requested to submit their statement of qualifications no later than 2 pm on March 2, 2023.  If not submitted by email, an electronic file of the SOQ must be included.

Statement of Qualifications should be submitted as follows:

Click here to view the full version of RFQ# 230209-242, which includes the official scope, selection criteria and terms and conditions.

Accepting Sealed Bids for construction of the 421 Surface Water Treatment Plant High Service Pump Station Upgrades

SECTION 001117 – INVITATION TO BID
Pender County
605 East Fremont Street
Burgaw, North Carolina 28425
421 Surface Water Treatment Plant
High Service Pump Station Upgrades

INVITATION TO BID
Sealed Bids for construction of the 421 Surface Water Treatment Plant High Service Pump Station
Upgrades including all related work as shown and specified in the contract documents will be received
by Pender County at 605 East Fremont Street, Burgaw, NC 28425 until 10:00 a.m., (Local Time) on
March 7, 2023 and then publicly opened and read aloud.

The Contract Documents may be examined at the following locations:
– Associated General Contractors office – Raleigh and Wilmington, NC
– McGraw-Hill Construction/Dodge office – Wilmington, NC
– PENDER COUNTY UTILITIES, 605 East Fremont Street, Burgaw, NC 28425
– CDM Smith, 5400 Glenwood Ave., Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27612

Contract Documents are available for examination online at http://dodgeprojects.construction.com/. Copies of the Contract Documents may be obtained at the Issuing Office, attention Joanne Bunch, CDM
Smith, 5400 Glenwood Ave., Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27612 (tele 919-325-3500) upon payment of $200
for each set non-refundable of the Contract Documents.  Neither the Owner nor the Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Contract Documents, including any Addendum, obtained from any other source.  Each Bid must be made on the blank forms provided in the bound copies of the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS and must be enclosed in a sealed envelope and addressed to the Public Utilities Director of Pender County. The name and address and the NC Contractor’s License Number of the Bidder must be plainly written on the outside of the envelope, and the envelope marked “Bid for the 421 Surface WTP High Service Pump Station Upgrades”. No Bid shall be considered or accepted by Pender County unless at the time of its filing the same shall be accompanied by a Bid Bond in an amount equal to not less than five percent (5%) of the Total Base Bid Amount executed by a corporate surety licensed under the laws of North Carolina to execute such bonds; conditioned that the surety will upon demand forthwith make payment to Pender County upon said Bond if the Bidder fails to execute the Contract in accordance with the Bid Bond. If upon acceptance of his Bid, a Bidder fails to enter into a Contract with Pender County, the Bid deposit shall be forfeited to and become the property of the Pender  County. No Bidder may withdraw his Bid within 60 days after the date of Bid opening.
All Contractors are notified that North Carolina Statutory provisions as to licensing of Contractors will be observed in receiving, reading and awarding the Contracts. (Chapter 87 of the North Carolina Statutes)

The License Classification shall be:
Part 1: Public Utilities (Water and Sewer) – Unlimited
Unclassified – Unlimited

The Owner reserves the right to reject any Proposal for failure to comply with any requirements of this
Notice or of any of the Contract Documents; however, it may waive any minor defects or informalities at
its discretion. The Owner further reserves the right to reject any and all Proposals or to Award the
contract, which in its judgment is in the best interest of the Owner.

Accepting Sealed Bids for the Construction of Pender County Business Park Water & Sewer Improvements Contract A – Water Plant Generator Project

Pender County Business Park Water & Sewer Improvements

Contract A – Water Plant Generator Project

EDA Grant Number: 04-01-07673

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

PUBLIC BID OPENING

Sealed Bids for the construction of the Pender County Business Park Water & Sewer Improvements Contract A – Water Plant Generator Project will be received, by Pender County at 605 E. Fremont Street, Burgaw, NC on March 14, 2023, until 2:00 p.m. local time, at which time the Bids received will be “publicly” opened and read aloud.

This project will be partially funded with Federal funds from the United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration and therefore is subject to the Federal laws and regulations associated with that program.

PRE-BID CONFERENCE

A pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 AM local time on March 1, 2023.  The pre-bid conference will be conducted via a web-based meeting utilizing Microsoft Teams.  Interested parties wishing to join the web-based pre-bid conference may do so by sending an email to the following email address no later than February 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. local time.  Note that a physical meeting will not be held for the pre-bid conference and only the web-based meeting will be available to interested parties.

jfitzsimmons@mckimcreed.com

A Microsoft Teams link will be sent to all parties who provide an email address for the pre-bid conference no later than 8:30 a.m. local time on March 1, 2023.  Parties will utilize this link to join the web-based Microsoft Teams meeting.  Interested parties are advised that only audio may be available due to limitations with Microsoft Teams video capability.  Consequently, the pre-bid conference will be conducted via audio and interested parties may only hear the pre-bid conference as video may not be available.  Attendance at the pre-bid conference is strongly encouraged but not mandatory.

The Project consists of the construction of:

  • Provide and Install Standby Emergency Natural-Gas Engine Driven Generator Assembly
  • Temporary Electrical Power System and Equipment as required during construction
  • Electrical Demolition and/or Required Modification
  • Modification and Installation of New Low-Voltage Switchgear Sections to the existing Low-Voltage Switchgear
  • New Raceway Systems
  • New Low-Voltage Distribution Equipment and Low-Voltage Feeders and Branch Circuits
  • New Concrete Foundations and/or Structural Elements
  • Site Work and Grading
  • HVAC Demolition Work and Installation of Replacement Units

Bids will be received for a single prime Contract.  Bids shall be as indicated in the Bid Form.  Bidders are not required to be pre-qualified in order to submit a bid for the Pender County Business Park Water & Sewer Improvements Contract A – Water Plant Generator Project.  Contractor is advised and shall meet the following project schedule for execution and completion of the project:

  • Pre-Bid Conference March 1, 2023 10:00 AM local time
  • Public Bid Opening March 14, 2023 2:00 PM local time
  • Notice of Award April 5, 2023
  • Notice to Proceed June 12, 2023

Prospective bidders may obtain copies of the Bidding Documents by contacting the Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents at: McKim & Creed, Inc., 243 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC  28401, Jamie Mabe Fitzsimmons, 910-343-1048, jfitzsimmons@mckimcreed.com. Physical copies of the Bidding Documents will not be available for review at the Issuing Office.

Bidding Documents may also be examined on the Pender County website at the following link. Physical copies of the Bidding Documents will not be available for review at the offices of Pender County:

https://pendercountync.gov/utl/

Bidding Documents will be provided no later than February 14, 2023 at Carolinas Plan Room, 2527 S. 17th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401; online at Carolinas AGC www.cagc.org; and online through the McGraw Hill Construction Plan Room (dodge.construction.com). Prospective Bidders should contact these entities to determine availability for obtaining or viewing the documents.  Bidding advertisement can also be found in Pender Post.

Bidding Documents are available on USB flash drive (as portable document format (PDF) files for a non-refundable charge of $100.00, including shipping via overnight express service.  Alternatively, printed Bidding Documents may be obtained from the Issuing Office via mail, upon Issuing Office’s receipt of payment for the Bidding Documents.  The non-refundable cost of printed Bidding Documents is $200.00 per set, payable to “McKim & Creed, Inc.”, plus a non-refundable shipping charge.  Upon Issuing Office’s receipt of payment, printed Bidding Documents will be sent via the prospective Bidder’s delivery method of choice; the shipping charge will depend on the shipping method chosen.  The date that the Bidding Documents are transmitted by the Issuing Office will be considered the prospective Bidder’s date of receipt of the Bidding Documents.

Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Issuing Office.  Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including Addenda if any, obtained from sources other than the Issuing Office.

Owner:               Pender County Utilities

By:                       Kenny P. Keel, PE

Title:                   Director

DEQ to hold Community Meeting in Pender County on Private Well Sampling

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a community information meeting on Tuesday, February 28, at Heide Trask Senior High School Auditorium in Rocky Point.

DEQ will share updates on private well sampling underway for PFAS contamination in Columbus, New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties.  Staff will also answer questions from the public about the private well sampling and alternate water supplies.

When:        Tuesday, February 28 at 6 p.m.

Where:      Heide Trask Senior High School
14328 NC Hwy 210, Rocky Point, NC 28457

Speaker sign-up will be available upon arrival at the meeting.

At DEQ’s direction, Chemours is sampling for PFAS contamination in eligible private drinking water wells downstream of the Fayetteville Works Facility. Chemours is required to provide alternate water supplies to residents whose wells exceed specific action levels.

To have your well sampled, call Chemours at (910) 678-1100. Messages to the Chemours call-line are monitored during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.); Chemours should respond within 24-to-48 hours starting on the next business day. If you don’t currently qualify for well testing, you may qualify in the future. Chemours is required to keep your contact information and notify you if testing expands to your area.

Additional well sampling information for residents, including criteria for eligible wells and other resources, are available on the DEQ website.

Professional Services Related to Due Diligence Evaluation of Future County Sites, RFQ 230119-241

Pender County is seeking Statements of Qualifications related to due diligence and suitability evaluations of potential subject property. These services, to include but are not limited to environmental, land surveying and master plan design.  This data will assist County staff and the Board of County Commissioners to determine feasibility and appropriateness of subject potential property for future development.  The property may be of interest for school sites, parks, water treatment plants/wells,  administrative offices, sites to needed to provide governmental services/functions or any other county need.  Click here to view RFQ # 230119-241Click here for Addendum 1.

Questions on this RFQ should be submitted to purchasing@pendercountync.gov  no later than 2pm on February 2, 2023 February 9, 2023.   Statements of Qualification are now due February 14, 2023 by 2 pm  February 21, 2023 by 2 pm.

Submit By Mail: PO Box 1578, Burgaw, NC 28425

Submit By Courier: 805 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC 28425

Submit By email: purchasing@pendercountync.gov

The County intends to enter into two (2) contracts: one with a “Primary” and  “Secondary” firm.  The county would utilize the secondary firm only if the primary firm is not available for a specific project.   The County is seeking to enter into a one (1) year agreement with the option to extend for an additional year.

Translate »