A quick-fix water deal may be in the works for the drought stricken southern part of the county.
The plan calls for Salisbury to provide treated water to China Grove and Landis, with the county helping pay the cost of installing lines.
Officials for China Grove, Landis, the county and Salisbury already have held preliminary discussions.
Landis and China Grove are under mandatory water restrictions, with weather forecasts predicting drought conditions will continue for months.
County Commission Chairman Steve Blount emphasized the importance in getting an ample supply of water to the southern end of the county, which is the area projected for rapid growth.
Lack of water could stymie that growth.
Although the county and Salisbury entered into an agreement last month to provide raw water to Kannapolis, Landis and China Grove, Blount said that project is several years away.
“We need a quicker solution,” said Blount Tuesday.
The quicker fix could take 18 or more months to plan, obtain right-of-way and permits and complete construction.
Blount said commissioners may discuss the proposal at their meeting Monday.
Salisbury City Manager David Treme said Tuesday that the city staff is putting together information on a possible project.
“Potable water may be the best solution to the water needs, rather than raw water,” said Treme.
Salisbury Public Works Director John Vest said water lines currently extend to the Fieldcrest Cannon Swink Plant, about five miles from the China Grove lines.
Vest said a 16-inch diameter line would be needed to provide sufficient water. The project could cost $2.5 million to $3 million.
Blount and County Manager Tim Russell said the county would help further the discussions and provide dollars.
“The objective is to solve the long term water needs in the quickest and most economical way,” said Russell.
By assisting in getting water lines down U.S. 29 to China Grove, it would aid in the county’s overall plans for development of the Interstate 85- U.S. 29 corridor.
“Anything that heads south will maximize the investment,” said Russell.
China Grove, which has previously had some water talks with Salisbury, is again looking in that direction.
For the past several years, China Grove has bought most of its water from Landis.
The drought and mandatory water restrictions have created some ill feelings. Landis officials publicly threatened to cut off water to China Grove, until state officials said they could not.
Although China Grove has succeeded in cutting water use, the Landis threats have not gone unnoticed.
China Grove Mayor Joseph Sloop, Alderman Butch Bivens and Public Works Director Kent Mishak are serving on a committee to discuss a water deal with Salisbury and the county.
Landis had been enthusiastic about getting raw water from the Yadkin River. But under the new “quicker fix,” Landis could lose its largest water customer, the town of China Grove.
Landis also could have the option of getting water from Salisbury, perhaps to supplement that town’s supplies.
Landis Town Administrator F.E. Isenhour said officials waiting to see details of the new proposal.
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