Atkinson is one of those small western Pender County towns where most people still know their neighbors, the lots are roomy, and the pace is slow in the best way. It’s also a town that runs almost entirely on septic tanks, and many of them are getting old. This fall, Pender County and the Town of Atkinson got their first real look at what it would cost to change that, and the number is a big one.
If you own a home in or around Atkinson, are thinking about buying land out that way, or are just watching how western Pender grows, here’s what was presented, what’s still unknown, and what we at Aspyre Collective think it means for homeowners and buyers.
What Was Presented: An $86.2 Million Regional Sewer Study
At a joint meeting in October, Pender County commissioners and Atkinson town officials heard the results of a feasibility study by Garver Engineering for a regional wastewater collection and treatment system, Port City Daily reported on Oct. 14, 2026. The estimated total cost was $86.2 million, about $26.7 million for the collection system and about $59.5 million for treatment.
No decisions were made at that meeting. The study is described as the first step in a multi-year process to figure out whether a system can be designed, permitted, funded, and built, and Garver’s own representative called the plan early-stage.
Why Atkinson asked for it
According to the same report, the town and its residents currently rely on more than 250 septic tanks, and many are beginning to deteriorate and fail with age. Atkinson approached the county in spring 2025, and in December 2025 commissioners approved $125,000 to fund the study, on the condition that the town reimburse it and that the county keep ownership of any new system.
What the system would look like
- One wastewater treatment plant, with the location not yet chosen, and lines running from the Moores Creek watershed to Mill Branch.
- A phased plant: 1 million gallons per day at first, then 2.5 million, with a final build-out of 4.34 million gallons per day.
- About 14,400 feet of 24-inch trunk sewer, a 12-inch line north of town, roughly 23,000 feet of 8-inch gravity sewer inside Atkinson, and about 400 manholes.
Installing sewer inside town would mean digging up streets in sections. It’s not yet clear whether repaving would be part of the project.
What It Could Mean for Homeowners
Connection costs
Garver estimated that residents would pay roughly $5,000 to $10,000 to connect their homes, and noted that’s less than replacing a failing septic system, which it put at about $25,000 to $40,000. Grants such as the federal Community Development Block Grant were mentioned as a way to cover connection costs for residents who can’t afford them, though Commissioner Randy Burton pointed out that grant money isn’t guaranteed. Monthly sewer rates and final connection charges haven’t been set.
Funding is the big question
Possible funding routes named in the meeting include EPA programs, USDA loans or grants, state appropriations, and Community Development Block Grants. Atkinson’s mayor said he was already talking with federal and state lawmakers. The engineer also warned that waiting years to build a traditional plant could push costs significantly higher.
The state’s discharge limits come first
The biggest hurdle right now is what the state calls “speculative limits,” which is guidance on how much treated water can be discharged into Moores Creek and Mill Branch. Those limits will shape how big the plant can be, what treatment it needs, and whether a more expensive land-based discharge would be required. Garver requested them in June, and they hadn’t come back as of the October meeting.
What It Means for Buyers
For now, buying in Atkinson means buying a home on septic, and that’s not a bad thing. Plenty of happy Pender County homeowners live on septic. It does mean a few steps deserve extra attention:
- Inspect the septic system. Use your due diligence period for a septic inspection, and ask for the permit, the system’s age, and any pumping or repair records. Pender County Environmental Health is the place to look up permits.
- Price in the system’s age. An older system near the end of its life is a real cost, whether the fix is a repair now or a sewer connection later.
- Don’t count on sewer arriving soon. This project has no approval, no funding, and no timeline yet. Buy based on what the property is today.
- Watch land near the planned corridor. Public sewer is one of the things that changes what land can become. If this moves forward, it could matter for acreage and future development nearby, but it’s far too early to treat it as a sure thing.
What It Means for Sellers
If you’re selling in Atkinson, a recent septic inspection and pumping can make buyers more comfortable and smooth out due diligence. Be upfront about the system’s age and history on your disclosures. Our guide to selling a home with a septic system in Pender County walks through the details.
The Bigger Picture in Western Pender
Port City Daily noted that Pender County is the second-fastest-growing county in the state, at about 2.8% a year. Most of that growth has landed along the U.S. 17 corridor in Hampstead and around Rocky Point. Water and sewer are the pieces that decide where growth can go next, and western Pender has been asking for both, from this study to the county’s West Pender Water Project. Projects like these are slow, but they’re worth following if you own land out west or plan to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Pender County approved sewer for Atkinson?
No. The October meeting was a presentation of a feasibility study, and no decision was made to move forward.
How much would it cost to connect a home?
The engineer’s estimate was about $5,000 to $10,000 per home, with grants possible for residents who qualify. Final charges and monthly rates haven’t been set.
When could construction start?
There’s no timeline. The project still needs state discharge limits, environmental studies, permits, design, and funding.
Should I avoid buying a home on septic in Atkinson?
Not necessarily. A well-maintained septic system can serve a home for decades. Just get it inspected and understand its age before you close.
Thinking About Western Pender County?
Whether you’re eyeing a few acres near Atkinson or selling a home on septic, local knowledge makes the process easier. Reach out to Aspyre Collective and we’ll help you weigh the details before you make a move.
