Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

Boone Hires Communications Firm To Handle PR for Water Intake Project

On Tuesday, August 5, the Town of Boone issued the following press release:

The Town of Boone is moving forward with both an environmental assessment and an education effort for a proposed water intake facility on the New River. Charlotte-based WK Dickson is working toward completing an environmental assessment that will be reviewed by at least 18 departments and agencies, as well as the public. Local firm G&T Communications, Inc. will be involved with educating the public about the need for the facility and its impact on both the Todd and Boone communities.

“The Council is making every effort to stay on the forefront of ensuring a reliable water supply for the future, and important parts of that process include informing and listening, said Mayor Loretta Clawson. “G&T Communications can assist us with that. We have been so focused on the technical aspects of the much-needed facility, that we really need to put some energy into communication. That goes beyond the resources of our staff, so we’re looking to a professional group,” she continued.

According to Clawson, WK Dickson is extremely knowledgeable about the project, having researched more than 27 potential water intake locations. The firm specializes in community infrastructure solutions and works with municipalities, primarily in the Southeast.

Clawson said G&T Communications has received national recognition for its work with helping utilities communicate with the people they serve. The firm will review existing information about the project and then provide recommendations for how the town can most effectively keep people informed, as well as listen to people’s needs. G&T Communications will also develop communication pieces, such as news releases and presentations for church and civic groups.

The new water intake facility is in response to state guidelines for meeting the public’s need for potable water. When a water system reaches 80 percent of capacity, the N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources recommends a plan for expansion. When the system reaches 90 percent of capacity, the state recommends the expansion be under construction. If not underway, the state could impose a moratorium on new water hookups.

Boone went over the 80 percent mark in 2006 and is projected to hit the 90 percent mark in 2009.

The town is requesting a permit to withdraw 4 million gallons of gallons per day from the New River at the new facility and anticipates initially withdrawing only about one-third of that amount. The water would go into Boone’s water system to be cleaned, used cleaned again and returned to the New River upstream at its facility on Greenway Trail. According to the town, more than 99 percent of withdrawn water is currently being put back into the river, and it contains fewer impurities than when it was taken out.

More information about the current status of the town of Boone’s public utilities is available by clicking to www.townofboone.net and clicking the Public Utilities link under Departments.