Project Scope:

This project is part of a larger initiative to construct the infrastructure necessary to establish a water interconnect between the Town of Dallas and the City of High Shoals. The work includes installing new water lines and completing a river crossing to create a reliable connection between existing water mains in both communities. These improvements will strengthen system redundancy, enhance service reliability, and support long‑term growth within the region.

This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, federal award SLFRP0129, awarded to the State of North Carolina by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Background:

Gaston County received funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund established in S.L. 2021-180. The fund assists eligible units of government with meeting their water/wastewater infrastructure needs. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) offered ARPA funds to Gaston County to partially cover work associated with interconnecting water service between Town of Dallas and City of High Shoals.

The City of High Shoals owns and operates a water distribution system that serves 203 residential connections, 4 commercial connections, and 3 institutional connections. High Shoals is receiving water through a bulk purchase contract with Lincoln County that expired in 2010, and existing customer usage is nearing daily flow maximums allowed under the agreement. Interlocal Agreements are in place for construction of a water main by Gaston County that would be served by the Town of Dallas. Portions of the extension will be owned and operated by Dallas and portions by High Shoals. This interconnect between Dallas and High Shoals will allow High Shoals to purchase their water inside Gaston County and will supply reliable water to High Shoals and the surrounding community.

The interconnection will provide a more permanent, reliable primary and emergency water supply to existing residents in the community and will ensure additional capacity for future needs. Construction of an elevated storage tank will address flow and pressure needs thereby providing a long-term water solution both for potable water and fire protection.