The stretch of river is near Elizabethtown and is currently not suitable for becoming drinking water.

The reclassification would allow the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority to pump river water to a future water treatment plant.

Cape Fear Riverkeeper Doug Springer says that by 2030, the operation could take up to 30 million gallons of water out of the Cape Fear River daily. He says the potential impacts on the environment and other water users must be considered.

"Is this a positive thing? In one hand, I would say yes. It provides us a means to withdraw water from the river, but it has to be done very carefully."

If the project is approved, the new water treatment plant will open in three years and will cost more than $25 million.

The Meeting
Tonight's meeting starts at 6:30 at Bladen Community College in the Multipurpose/Auditorium building.

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