Haywood County -- June 6, 2026: Waynesville, Clyde and Canton are moving forward with a $17 million water-security project, marking a significant regional investment aimed at bolstering water system resilience for both communities. This ambitious infrastructure initiative will connect their water systems with a new cross-country water line and pump stations over a period of three years.
The project represents an unprecedented collaboration between the two Western North Carolina towns. It is being described as a regional resilience upgrade, intended to strengthen the water supplies and reliability for both Waynesville and Canton. This joint effort sets a precedent for regional infrastructure planning and resource sharing within the area.
Key components of the project include the installation of a new water line extending from Waynesville to Canton, alongside the construction of pump stations strategically located along the route.
The new line and pumping infrastructure are designed to facilitate more reliable water movement between the systems. This coordination across municipal boundaries is expected to significantly improve redundancy, enhance emergency backup capacity, and bolster overall supply security for the participating communities. The initiative highlights a shared regional solution rather than a single-town upgrade.
This major infrastructure investment underscores a commitment to long-term water system resilience. By working together, Waynesville and Canton are establishing a model for inter-municipal cooperation, ensuring a more secure and reliable water future for their residents and the broader region.
A preliminary engineering study will be the immediate next step for the project,
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