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On Oct. 21, Stanly County commissioners approved a bid from BRS Incorporated of Richfield to replace approximately 700 linear feet of 16-inch forced sewer main pipe in the vicinity of the West Stanly Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The sewer main’s existing iron pipe had deteriorated, according to Stanly County Utilities Director Dwayne Wingo, causing the leak.
“On Sept. 27, a leakage occurred,” Wingo reported. “Investigation revealed that ductal iron pipe in the forced main had significantly deteriorated due to prolonged exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas. The situation required immediate replacement of the damaged section.”
Further excavation revealed additional deterioration in adjacent sections.
“It was rapidly deteriorating, with visible holes in the top of the pipe,” he continued. “Crews have temporarily covered and stabilized these sections until a permanent solution can be arranged.”
Following consultations on Sept. 30, staff determined that although the situation was urgent, time allowed for an informal bid process.
“Staff and Chambers Engineering developed a bid package for the replacement,” Wingo said, adding that the new pipe would be of PVC material that is resistant to the effects of the hydrogen sulfide gas.
Future plans, according to Wingo, will include evaluation of high points along the forced main, and any needed replacements incorporated into the Stanly County Sewer Master Plan, which “aims for their completion within a five-year window.”
BRS was low bidder on the project, with an estimated cost of $229,750, plus a contingency of $11,500.
Funding for the project will come from unspent American Recovery Project (ARPA) funds, eliminating the need to tap into the county’s fund balance, Wingo said.
Commissioners unanimously approved the bid.
In other action, County Commissioners:
• Appointed Jeremy Almond to a vacancy on the Consolidated Human Services Board, and Annie Brown to a vacancy on the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board.
• Conducted a public hearing (no one appeared to speak at the hearing) and subsequently approved a resolution for submission of a NCDOT Community Transportation Grant application.
• Conducted a public hearing (no one appeared to speak at the hearing) on the 2025 Schedule of Tax Values, which had been presented at the commission’s Oct. 4 meeting by Tax Administrator Clinton Swaringen.
• Approved an interlocal agreement between the county and the Water & Sewer Authority to commit unspent ARPA funds.
• Following a presentation by Ashley Haywood, authorized the county attorney to draft a resolution declaring Nov. 16 as “Sanfilippo Syndrome Awareness Day” in Stanly County.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.