Harnett County commissioners approved a contract Nov. 3 for preliminary engineering work on the Northeast Water Treatment Plant in Erwin and authorized a short regional water/sewer extension to support economic development near Dunn.

Tommy Burns presented the request to enter a design contract with Weston & Sampson for technical engineering tasks, including river surveys and other studies. Burns said environmental studies, boundary surveys and wetland studies for the plant site have already been completed; the requested contract covers the technical engineering needed to advance the project on a compressed schedule. The board approved the contract by voice vote.

Separately, a motion to install approximately 450 linear feet of water and sewer from Saint Matthews Road in Erwin to near the Dunn city limits was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote to support a prospective economic development opportunity.

The board also discussed ongoing capacity constraints in the Anderson Creek service area. Staff reported Friesing Nichols is conducting a sewer capacity study due to be completed in December with a full report in January. Staff noted improvements along Highway 87 are expected to redirect some flow off Anderson Creek; the county has previously settled litigation with Anderson Creek Partners and believes it has fulfilled settlement obligations. Burns and staff said the study will recommend whether improvements are HRW responsibilities or should be developer‑funded, and the county will use the report to guide funding and scheduling decisions.

Provenance: Weston & Sampson contract discussion begins at 01:00:00 in the transcript; the waterline motion and Anderson Creek discussion appear in the 01:02:24–01:03:30 timeframe.