sanitary sewer

A shipping container used as a communal toilet outside Durban, South Africa, holds a new toilet prototype designed by researchers at Duke University

Can a better toilet save lives? Duke researchers hope so.

February 20, 2020 by Greg Barnes

Can a better toilet save lives? Duke researchers hope so. - North Carolina Health News

University researchers are sharing more than $200 million in grant money from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop small-scale sanitation systems. An estimated 4.2 billion people worldwide lack safe human waste disposal systems.

By Greg Barnes Never in his wildest dreams did Duke University researcher Brian Hawkins think that he would grow up to help design a toilet that could someday save the lives of millions of people. But here he is now, on the front lines of “Reinvent the Toilet,” a project involving researchers from across the […]

A view above sedimentation basins, where the water is clarified as heavy particles settle. Photo by Gabe Rivin

State eyes consolidation of aging rural water and sewer systems

March 26, 2019 by Greg Barnes

State eyes consolidation of aging rural water and sewer systems - North Carolina Health News

Gov. Roy Cooper’s proposed bond issue would provide $800 million for water and sewer systems across North Carolina. State officials say some of that money could be used to consolidate struggling rural systems.

By Greg Barnes Spending $800 million for water and sewer improvements doesn’t get the same attention as the new schools Gov. Roy Cooper includes in a proposed $3.9 billion bond issue expected to go before voters in November 2020. But perhaps it should. According to a 2017 water infrastructure report, in the next 20 years, […]

Shows two women in a lab, manipulating tools in order to test water samples, which are arranged on the tabletop

Health, environment central in Cooper’s budget plan

March 8, 2019 by Coastal Review Online

Health, environment central in Cooper’s budget plan - North Carolina Health News

The $25.2 billion plan calls for about $748 million in natural and environmental resources spending, about 3 percent of the total budget.

By Kirk Ross Coastal Review Online A major upgrade to Department of Environmental Quality lab facilities, increased staffing for water pollution detection and oversight, and a nearly $1 billion boost in funding for clean water projects statewide are among the dozens of priorities Gov. Roy Cooper outlined in his version of this year’s budget plan. […]

man stands at a podium, the great seal of the state of north carolina is on the front of that podium

Medicaid expansion looms large in Cooper’s budget bid

March 7, 2019 by Rose Hoban

Medicaid expansion looms large in Cooper’s budget bid - North Carolina Health News

The governor traditionally presents his budget before the General Assembly starts work on their version. Gov. Roy Cooper made it clear he's looking to extend insurance benefits to about a half million of the state's low-income residents.

By Rose Hoban Governor Roy Cooper rolled out his budget for the upcoming fiscal year Wednesday morning, presenting a $25.2 billion plan with one of the central provisions being extension of North Carolina’s Medicaid program to cover as many as half a million low-income residents of the state. Cooper was firm about widening the program, […]

shows an image of a wet street with dark colored water pulsing from underneath a manhole cover

Small NC Cities Work to Fix Their Crumbling Sewer Systems

December 10, 2018 by Greg Barnes

Small NC Cities Work to Fix Their Crumbling Sewer Systems - North Carolina Health News

Once completed, Thomasville and Brevard will have spent an estimated $44 million to upgrade their sewer systems. A report says as much as $11 billion is needed to fix aging systems statewide.

By Greg Barnes In the summer of 2009, nearly 16 million gallons of untreated sewage spilled from Thomasville’s aging sewer system into North Hamby Creek, Abbotts Creek and eventually High Rock Lake. The spill, caused when a manhole cover collapsed after a heavy rain, went unreported for more than 20 days. The discharge led to […]

Photo shows a simple brick pump house with a sign on the door that reads, "In case of alarm or emergency call..."

Aging Sewer Systems Spell Trouble Across North Carolina

November 27, 2018 by Greg Barnes

Aging Sewer Systems Spell Trouble Across North Carolina - North Carolina Health News

A state master plan says up to $11 billion is needed to fix sewer systems and stop overflows, but in some cities and towns, little money is available to make even basic repairs.

By Greg Barnes On its surface, Eden is much like any other small city in North Carolina, friendly, laid back and reeling from the loss of textile and manufacturing industries. It’s below the surface where the real problems lurk. A labyrinth of sewer lines stretching about 180 miles is so old, deteriorated and poorly designed […]

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