Click above to view a photo album of the Yadkin Regional Water Supply Project.

Through a landmark regional partnership to bolster the region’s water infrastructure, the Yadkin Regional Water Supply Project is nearing completion. The massive infrastructure project that crosses county boundaries represents a significant investment of $300 million to ensure an additional long-term, sustainable water supply for Union County residents and businesses and enables the Town of Norwood to draw four times more water from Lake Tillery than previous infrastructure. 

Union County is situated between the Yadkin and Catawba Rivers but lacks direct access to either. For decades, Union County has sourced most of its water through the Catawba River Water Supply Project. Nearly 20 years ago, county leaders began work to identify a secondary water source, which led to a partnership with the Town of Norwood and the development of the Yadkin Regional Water Supply Project.

After nearly two decades of planning, public input, permitting, design, and construction, the Yadkin Regional Water Supply Project is now complete. Representing one of the most ambitious water infrastructure endeavors in the history of the state, the project has become a model of regional cooperation and innovation. Union County now has a second long-term, reliable source of water and the Town of Norwood can now draw four times more water from Lake Tillery than its previous infrastructure would allow. 

“This project is a testament to the power of a shared vision and sustained effort among numerous stakeholders,” said Union County Manager Brian Matthews. “The Yadkin Regional Water Supply Project not only addresses immediate needs, but also secures a resilient water supply for future generations.”

The Yadkin Regional Water Supply Project encompasses four primary components: 

• Intake facility and pump station on the shore of Lake Tillery in Norwood;
• 30 miles of pipeline to carry water from Norwood to a new water treatment plant in Union County;
• the new Yadkin River Water Treatment Plant;
• 10 miles of drinking water pipeline between Yadkin River Water Treatment Plant and Union County Water’s distribution system.

To learn more about the Yadkin Regional Water Supply Project, please view the video below.

Elected leaders from the Town of Norwood and Union County celebrated the completion of the water intake facility and pump station in Norwood on August 24. 

Pictured left to right: Norwood Town Administrator Ray Allen, Norwood Commissioner Wes Hartsell, Norwood Commissioner Keith Morgan, Norwood Mayor Linda Campbell, Union County Commissioner Richard Helms, Norwood Commissioner Robbie Cohen, Norwood Commissioner James Lilly, Union County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Melissa Merrell, Union County Commissioner David Williams, and Union County Manager Brian Matthews. 

The Union County Board of Commissioners and Brian Matthews, County Manager, celebrated the completion of the Yadkin River Water Treatment Plant on September 21.  

Pictured left to right: County Manager Brian Matthews, Commissioner Brian Helms, Board Vice Chair Melissa Merrell, Commissioner Richard Helms, and Commissioner David Williams