McDowell County operates a water utility that serves residents located within McDowell County. The County was recently awarded an AIA grant and is awaiting the grant agreements for execution. The County is working to identify a firm to assist with completion of the proposed scope of work and associated funding. In terms of timing, the project(s) will commence once a firm is selected, a scope of work established, and authorization is received from NCDEQ to begin work. The proposed Asset Inventory and Assessment project will include at a minimum: review and assessment of all infrastructure assets, detailed review of critical assets, field inspections to support condition assessment, mapping of system(s), development of minimum 10-year capital improvement plan, recommendations for funding, potential assistance in application submittals, and development of an Asset Management Plan. The scope of this project and the Asset Management Plan developed through this project will be in accordance with NCDEQ’s “Water and Wastewater Utility Evaluation Guidance Document: Asset Inventory and Assessment, Capital Cost, and Operating Cost Analyses.” Currently, McDowell County has been designated as a distressed water system and is required to conduct a detailed rate study and associated rate education requirements. The submitting project team shall include a financial consultant to gather all data and complete the requirements of the utility rate study
