Richmond County has submitted a request for $2 million for the Wastewater Regionalization Initiative to provide sewerage facilities for Ellerbe to Golden LEAF Foundation.

The total cost of the sewer line from Rockingham to Ellerbe is projected at $4.3 million.

It is a cooperative effort between Ellerbe, Rockingham and Richmond County.

In the application, Commission Chairman Kenneth Robinette said, “It is possible this money will leverage other funds.”

Those funds could be from Richmond County, Economic Development Agency, Rural Center, Rural Development, Clean Water Management Trust Fund and Federal Stimulus money.

“Since this project will open up a large area to wastewater service, including potential industrial clients, Community Development Block Grant funds are also a possibility,” he said.

Ellerbe’s existing wastewater treatment facility is a three-lagoon system discharging into Tom’s Branch after the addition of chlorine.

“While the existing permit for the lagoon has been renewed for an additional five years with no change to the discharge limits, it is highly unlikely that this will happen again,” Robinette said.

With a connection to Rockingham, Ellerbe will be able to eliminate two lift stations and the costs of operating and maintaining the stations and force mains.

He said with stricter state regulations, eventually the Ellerbe system as it is would have to be upgraded.

“This improvement will certainly enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Ellerbe since it will provide an adequate and modern system to handle their wastewater discharge,” Robinette said.

Other benefits would be for greater economic development along the U.S. 220 corridor. There are county water lines already in place along U.S. 200 to Ellerbe.

The Clean Water Management Trust Fund has already set aside funds for Ellerbe to conduct a study on the sewer lines to Rockingham. Richmond County is providing additional funds for the study.

The Rockingham wastewater plant is rated for nine million gallons a day and currently receives five million gallons a day.

Discussions for the project are also under way with Lumber River Council of Governments and Municipal Engineering Services Company.

n Contact reporter Tom MacCallum at 997-3111, ext. 15; e-mail tmaccallum@yourdailyjournal.com.