State Water Infrastructure Commission (SWIC)

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Contents

Authority, Purpose and Structure


The State Water Infrastructure Commission (SWIC) was created by act of the North Carolina General Assembly in 2005 (NCGS 159G-65). The purpose of the SWIC is to identify the State’s water infrastructure needs, develop a plan to meet those needs, and monitor implementation of the plan. The Commission is comprised of 13 members representing State agencies and non-profits, organizations representing North Carolina local governments and members of the water infrastructure and water resources professions.


Specific Duties

SWIC provides an important policy forum for the discussions on drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.  The specific duties of the SWIC are as follows:


  1. To assess and make recommendations on the role of the State in the development and funding of wastewater, drinking water, and stormwater infrastructure in the State.
  2. To analyze the adequacy of projected funding to meet projected needs over the next five years.
  3. To propose State priorities for funding.
  4. To make recommendations on ways to maximize the use of current funding resources, whether federal, State, or local, and to insure that funds are used in a coordinated manner.
  5. To review the application of management practices in wastewater, drinking water, and stormwater utilities and determine the best practices.
  6. To assess the role of public private partnerships in the future provision of utility service.
  7. To assess the application of the river basin approach to utility planning and management.
  8. To assess the need for a "troubled system" protocol.


Reports and Recommendations

Each year, in compliance with the NC General Statute authorizing SWIC,  a report is submitted to the Governor and to the members of the NC General Assembly.  At a minimum,  the report contains a review of the activites of SWIC over the prior 12 months.  SWIC members chose to utilize this reporting requiremen proactively.  The reports submitted contain not only a summary of topical work,  but also our policy analysis of the issue(s) covered and a series of recommendations.  The recommendations focus, in compliance with the SWIC Duties, on how the State of North Carolina can refine its role in the support and development of infrastructure and infrastructure financing.


The first report, submitted November 1, 2006,  contained a series of recommendations on infrastructure financing. 

The second report, submited in 2007 focused on planning and incentives to encourage regional water and wastewater systems.

The third report, presented by Jean Klein to the legislature's Environmental Review Commission on Nov 25, 2008, focuses on the state role in water infrastructure financing, implementation of provisions of Session Law 2008-143 (Improve Drought Preparedness and Response), encouraging water audits, reclaimed water, regional partnerships, and funding for continued operation of the SWIC. 

Legislative and executive branch responses to SWIC

The 2008 General Assembly enacted and Governor Easley signed HB 2499, Drought/Water Management Recommendations. Section 9 of HB 2499 requires applicants for state water grants and loans will have to demonstrate that they have established a water rate system that is adequate to be eligible for grants and loans. Section 17 of HB 2499 requires the SWIC to develop guidelines for water rate structures that are adequate to pay the cost of maintaining, repairing, and operating the system. SWIC has contracted with UNC-CH's Environmental Finance Center to research water rates. SWIC plans to consult with the School of Government at UNC-CH, NC Utilities Commission, Public Staff of the Utilities Commission, Local Government Commission, DENR, NC League of Municipalities, NC Association of County Commissioners, Rural Center, and others in the development of guidelines. Section 9 also requires systems to implement water efficiency measures to be eligible for grants and loans. Section 9 becomes effective July 1, 2009.

SWIC has asked State funders to coordinate their efforts and develop common criteria to address the water efficiency measures set out in Section 9. This page pulls together funding calendar events and coordination efforts by the state's funders.

The legislature's Program Evaluation Division is conducting a study on the financing of water infrastructure in the State and may present its recommendations to the Joint Oversight Committee on Program Evaluation in January 2009.


Meetings

The State Water Infrastructure Commission meets monthly on the third Friday of the month from 10 am to 12 noon unless otherwise noted.  The date, time and location of the next meeting is shown below.  In addition,  copies of  minutes can be accessed by clicking on the links below.


 


Meeting Minutes:


Retrieved from "http://sogweb.sog.unc.edu/Water/index.php/State_Water_Infrastructure_Commission_(SWIC)"
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