North Carolina
Aqua North Carolina Receives More than $1.7 Million in Funding to Support Infrastructure Projects Across North Carolina
Aqua successfully bid for funding to reduce the impact of Federal Regulations on customers while improving service and reliability
CARY, N.C., March 04, 2025–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aqua North Carolina announces grant awards from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Division of Water Infrastructure.
Aqua North Carolina received a $938,754 grant from the State Water Infrastructure Authority for phase 4 of its Lead Service Line Inventory project. This is Aqua’s 6th successful application submitted to support Aqua’s work in identifying lead service lines in communities it serves. Aqua has been awarded approximately $7 million dollars in grants and low interest loans to identify lead service lines in 20 counties across Aqua North Carolina’s 51-county footprint.
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements provides heightened protection for communities from exposure to lead in drinking water,” said Aqua North Carolina President Shannon Becker. “It requires water providers to identify and, if found, remove lead service lines on both public and private property. This is a major effort, and we are pleased to share that as part of our Lead Service Line Inventory Program, all the service lines we evaluated in 2024 were identified as non-lead. Additional funding received for phase 4 of the project will supplement project costs necessary to identify and inventory service lines in our communities and minimize the impact to our customer’s rates.”
Aqua also received $800,000 for the replacement of aging water mains in the Idlewood Acres community located in Catawba County. This award will support Aqua’s comprehensive plan to replace all the water mains in this community, which are nearing the end of their useful life. This project will increase reliability by significantly reducing the number of main breaks and minimizing related service interruptions in the water system.
“Investing in our infrastructure is a key part of Aqua’s commitment to our customers. Over the past year, we have made significant upgrades to improve our water and wastewater systems across the Tarheel state, including addressing emerging challenges like PFAS, lead, and other contaminants,” said Becker. “These improvements enhance service reliability and contribute to a more sustainable future for our customers and their families.”
In 2024 alone, Aqua invested approximately $55 million in capital improvements, with plans to invest another $400 million over the next five years. Aqua will continue to seek funding for projects to reduce the financial burden passed to customers through water rates.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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