Construction is underway on a $12 million water project designed to deliver drinking water to Gray’s Creek Elementary School and Alderman Road Elementary School—an investment in school safety as Cumberland County Schools continues evaluating long-term facility needs across the district.
Both schools are currently outside the public water system and do not have access to state and federally protected drinking water.
Contractors for the Fayetteville Public Works Commission have started working on the Gray’s Creek Water Project, which will extend public water mains into the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District.
Officials say the system will provide drinking water that meets or exceeds all state and federal standards for the two schools and the surrounding community.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to this community and ensures these schools have access to world-class drinking water,” said Timothy L. Bryant, CEO and general manager of the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. “We are not stopping there; this project will have the ability to serve all the residents of Gray’s Creek.”
Construction began in November and is expected to continue through May 2026. The contractor, T.A. Loving, will install water mains and related infrastructure primarily within public rights-of-way.
A project map released by PWC shows construction running along School Road and Alderman Road, roadways that provide direct access to Gray’s Creek Elementary and Alderman Road Elementary.
Areas highlighted in red indicate locations where driveways may be temporarily excavated during construction, while green-shaded properties will not be impacted. Officials say driveway access will be restored at the end of each workday.
PWC officials said roads will remain open during construction and that no lane closures or driveway restrictions are planned during school drop-off and pickup times. Crews will use specialized boring equipment to drill beneath roadways to minimize traffic disruptions.
Work is scheduled to take place Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents may notice increased activity along public rights-of-way, including temporary fencing, easement clearing, and staging areas. Disturbed grass and driveways will receive permanent restoration later in the project.
County officials said American Rescue Plan Act funding may also be used to help extend the water system to other areas within the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District, with the county working alongside residents to identify funding options for connection fees.
PWC noted that its water intake point is upstream of known GenX groundwater contamination in the Gray’s Creek community.
The utility is also upgrading its drinking water treatment facilities with granular activated carbon filtration to comply with federal standards addressing PFAS, a group of long-lasting, man-made chemicals sometimes called “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the environment.
Additional information about the Gray’s Creek Water Project, including construction maps, road impacts, and resident notices, is available on the Fayetteville Public Works Commission’s website.
