Charlotte Water, Mount Holly Celebrate Milestone in Stowe Regional Project

On Sept. 16, Charlotte Water and the City of Mount Holly, North Carolina, officially commissioned the new Mount Holly Pump Station. The event marked the start of wastewater flow through newly constructed underground pipelines located beneath the Catawba River.

The new HDPE pipelines, installed by Michels using horizontal directional drilling (HDD), connect Mount Holly’s wastewater system to Charlotte Water’s regional wastewater collection and treatment network.

Event speakers included Angela Charles, director of Charlotte Water, Mayor David Moore, of Mount Holly and Mount Holly City Manager Jonathan Blanton. The ceremony celebrated the regional partnership. It will protect water quality, support the Catawba River and enhance surrounding natural resources. Local, regional and state leaders attended to mark this milestone in the Stowe Project.

“This is a proud moment for Charlotte Water and the City of Mount Holly,” Charles said. “The Stowe Project shows what’s possible when communities come together with a shared vision. By working across city and county lines, we are building infrastructure that not only serves our residents more efficiently but also safeguards the Catawba River. It prepares our region for the future.”

Pipeline Route

The new Mount Holly Pump Station, which replaces the former Mount Holly Wastewater Treatment Plant on the same site at Tuckaseege Park,. The new pipelines will send approximately 2 to 3 million gallons of wastewater per day through beneath the Catawba River and Long Creek. Using HDD, crews tunneled 65 ft below the Catawba River and 75 ft below Long Creek through bedrock to install the pressurized pipelines. More detailed information about the HDD process can be found here.

“The commissioning of the Mount Holly Pump Station is a historic milestone for our city,” Moore said. “This connection reflects years of planning, collaboration and forward thinking. Our residents will benefit from reliable service and stronger environmental protection. New opportunities for growth were all made possible by this regional partnership.”

Wastewater from Mount Holly will now travel to the Long Creek Pump Station before being conveyed to the future Stowe Regional Water Resource Recovery Facility (RWRRF). The facility is scheduled to begin operation in 2027. 

“This project demonstrates the power of regional cooperation and its impact on both our community and our environment,” Blanton said. “By joining forces with Charlotte Water, we’re ensuring sustainable wastewater service while protecting the Catawba. It’s an investment in the quality of life of generations to come.” 

The Stowe RWRRF project is funded through Charlotte Water’s Revenue Bonds, with an estimated total cost of $650 million. The City of Mount Holly contributed $40 million toward the construction of the new pump station.