BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The State Water Infrastructure Authority has awarded nearly $5 million to the town of Black Mountain to bolster its drinking water system and protect it from flooding, town officials announced Wednesday.

The $4,999,632 grant will fund major resiliency upgrades identified after widespread damage from Tropical Storm Helene. The project was developed by the town’s Recovery & Resilience Office and represents one of the largest investments in Black Mountain’s water system in decades, officials said.

The work will include installing two new drinking water supply wells, relocating two key distribution lines out of the floodway, replacing and hardening 14 creek crossings, upgrading transmission lines and electrical components, adding backup generators at all supply wells, improving SCADA hardware, and reinforcing existing wellheads to reduce storm damage.

Town officials said the improvements align with long-term resiliency plans created with state and federal partners after Helene. The upgrades are intended to reduce flood risk, ensure consistent water service and strengthen essential infrastructure across the system.

“This award represents a major step forward in rebuilding stronger after Helene,” Assistant Town Manager Jessica Trotman said in a statement. “These upgrades will protect our community’s drinking water for generations and support the town’s broader recovery and resilience goals.”

The town thanked SWIA, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and regional partners for supporting the project.mountain.org.