H694 - Regional Water Study/Interbasin Transfer Subbasin/Total Maximum Daily Load Revision. (SL 2025-77)
Session Year 2025
Overview: S.L. 2025‑77 (House Bill 694) (i) directs the Environmental Finance Center at the UNC School of Government to study water and wastewater regionalization, and to report its findings and recommendations to the House Oversight Committee, the Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform, and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations by April 1, 2026; (ii) eliminates subbasin designations for the Haw River and Deep River basins within the Cape Fear River major river basin, and the Contentnea Creek basin within the Neuse River major river basin, allowing for the transfer of surface water between those subbasins within the same major river basin in any amount without first needing to obtain an Interbasin transfer certificate from the Environmental Management Commission; and (iii) revises the 2020 Farm Act Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) transport factor calculation applicability so that all wastewater discharge permit applications for local governments in the Neuse River Basin would apply the transport factors as specified in the 1999 Phase I TMDL, regardless of the size of the customer base.
This act became effective July 9th, 2025. The provision related to interbasin transfers applies to water withdrawals or transfers initiated on or after that date.