What are the qualities of a great airport? Short lines, friendly staff, few delays, and clean concourses come to mind.

I would add two more to the list: quality water and sewer. 

Like most businesses in our community, Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is a customer of Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA). They pay a monthly bill to CFPUA, and we provide the water and sewer services that help keep the airport running. 

ILM is also a key partner as CFPUA invests in infrastructure to support our growing community.
Northern New Hanover County, sometimes referred to as the “Last Frontier” for local development, is the focus of major infrastructure investments by County leaders and CFPUA. Because the airport sits on 1,400 acres at the doorstep to northern New Hanover, its property is an ideal corridor for the extension of CFPUA services to the area.  

To that end, ILM and CFPUA recently partnered on projects that both benefited the airport and expanded services for its neighbors.  

First was an extension of ILM’s fire line, the water main that serves hydrants and other crucial fire suppression infrastructure throughout the property. This line was privately owned by the airport and connected to CFPUA’s public water main at a single point. Those who work in fields like utilities and emergency management do all they can to avoid such “single points of failure” that can lead to a total loss of service in the event of damage. 

ILM conveyed its fire line to CFPUA to own and operate, which also allowed us to extend it, connect it to the water system at a second point, and effectively double the airport’s fire suppression flow. CFPUA invested approximately $1 million to extend the water line, which also created a loop of water service for the area, resulting in service redundancy and improved flow to properties around the airport and an opportunity to serve properties on Old Wrightsboro Road.

During this project, CFPUA also worked with the airport to construct a major sewer extension to New Hanover County’s Last Frontier. Funded in part by a $30 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant CFPUA received to expand sewer services, this new 24-inch sewer main runs under the west side of the airport property. 

This new sewer main is one of several CFPUA and New Hanover County are constructing to support the growth and development we know is coming, and ILM’s partnership was key to getting it built. 
As ILM plans its own growth, CFPUA also stands ready to support it. 

Our community’s airport is among the fastest growing in the State, generating $3.3 billion in annual economic output, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. In line with that growth, ILM is preparing to welcome significant development to its campus and business park, including private hangars, a cold storage facility, and a hotel. 

We are collaborating with ILM’s team to ensure the welcome these new arrivals receive includes the promise of quality, reliable water and sewer services.