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Bill Summary · HB 1156

Summary of North Carolina HB 1156 (Session 2025) – Wastewater Design Flow Modifications

Purpose and Intent

HB 1156 proposes to provide increased flexibility in how wastewater design flow rates are calculated for permitted wastewater treatment systems. The aim is to allow permittees (entities operating wastewater systems) to choose design flow methods that better reflect actual use, while ensuring public health and environmental protections.

Key Provisions

Section 1 – Modifications to G.S. 143-215.1(f3)

  • The bill revises how permitted wastewater systems calculate design flows for new dwelling units (DUs) in systems serving two or more DUs that are not yet connected and for which capacity has been allocated.

1) Three calculation options (for new DUs in unconnected, capacity-allocated systems):
- Option A (75 gpd per bedroom or lower, per Dept. approval):
- Default minimum of 75 gallons per day (gpd) per dwelling unit.
- Each additional bedroom above one increases by 75 gpd.
- Can use this rate if the permittee has allocated capacity and the Department approves the arrangement.
- Option B (75 gpd per bedroom or lower, per Dept. approval):
- If the permittee has not allocated capacity, still uses 75 gpd per bedroom with the same per-bedroom increment, subject to Department approval.
- Option C (Flow rate below 75 gpd per bedroom with Dept. approval):
- The permittee may calculate flows at a rate less than 75 gpd per bedroom if the Department approves.
- Approval requires demonstration that the calculated flow rate matches the average actual flow in the last calendar year and that using this rate will not adversely affect public health or the environment.
- The Department may not approve flow rates below 55 gpd per bedroom.

2) Minimums across options:
- Regardless of the chosen method, the minimum volume remains 75 gpd per dwelling unit, with the per-bedroom increment applied accordingly (i.e., additional bedrooms add 75 gpd each).

Section 2 – Appropriation

  • The bill appropriates $10,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
  • Purpose: to review wastewater design flow rates proposed under Section 1.

Section 3 – Effective Date

  • The act becomes effective on July 1, 2026.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Permitted wastewater treatment systems serving two or more dwelling units (particularly those with unconnected units and allocated capacity).
  • Local permitting authorities and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which administers and approves design flow calculations.
  • New dwelling units connected to multi-unit systems, and developers/owners planning connections to such systems.

Potential Impacts

Administrative and Technical

  • Introduces flexibility in calculating design flows, potentially allowing more accurate reflection of actual wastewater generation.
  • Adds a Department approval process for nonstandard (less than 75 gpd per bedroom) flow rates, requiring demonstration of historical actual flows and no public health/environmental risk.

Public Health and Environmental Safeguards

  • The Department cannot approve flow rates below 55 gpd per bedroom, establishing a lower bound to protect health and the environment.
  • Any approval under the reduced-rate option requires evidence that historical averages justify the reduction and that there would be no adverse impacts.

Financial

  • Minor one-time state funding ($10,000) allocated to DEQ to review proposed design flows, indicating a lean administrative review requirement.

Timeline and Status

  • Filed April 30, 2026.
  • Effective date if enacted: July 1, 2026.

If you’d like, I can produce a plain-language brief for policymakers or a side-by-side comparison table of current law vs. HB 1156 for quick reference.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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