If you live in Porters Neck or the Bayshore area, or you’ve been shopping for a home off Market Street north of Ogden, a water project headed your way is worth a few minutes of your time. Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA), the public water and sewer utility for most of New Hanover County, is starting construction on new water mains through the area this fall. For some neighborhoods it’s mostly a matter of better water pressure and reliability. For others, especially homes still on private wells, it could eventually mean access to public water for the first time.
Here’s what’s planned, when work starts, and what it means for homeowners and buyers in this part of northern New Hanover County.
What CFPUA Is Building
The work is part of CFPUA’s Bayshore Water Main Interconnections Project. According to CFPUA’s Projects of Interest page, the design-build project will extend 16-inch and 12-inch water mains through the Bayshore area to improve the connection between the Richardson Water Treatment Plant and the Porters Neck elevated water tanks. The utility lists the project cost at $12 million.
The two main pieces
- Market Street and Bayshore Drive: One main will run along Market Street and Bayshore Drive and connect to an existing line on Bayfield Drive.
- Furtado Drive: A second main will run along Furtado Drive and connect to the existing main on Porters Neck Road.
CFPUA’s original request for design-build teams, published in late 2024, described the project’s purpose as extending the distribution system to “provide safe, reliable drinking water to adjacent, unserved properties and neighborhoods impacted by PFAS.” PFAS are the so-called forever chemicals that have been a long-running concern in Cape Fear River water and in some private wells in the region.
When Work Starts
Port City Daily reported on October 20, 2026 that the Furtado Drive portion is set to begin in mid-November and run through January. That phase includes a new water main plus public-side service lines and meters for 19 homes on Furtado Drive. CFPUA held a drop-in community meeting on October 21 at Porters Neck Elementary School for nearby residents.
The same report says a separate community meeting is planned in November for customers affected by the Bayshore Drive portion. CFPUA hasn’t posted a firm schedule for that segment in what we reviewed, so if you’re on or near Bayshore Drive, watch for that meeting notice.
What This Means for Homeowners
Expect some short-term disruption. Water main work usually means lane shifts, flaggers, and torn-up shoulders for a while. If you’re on Furtado Drive or Bayshore Drive, plan for slower trips and occasional detours this winter.
Better pressure and reliability over time. Tying the treatment plant more tightly to the Porters Neck tanks is designed to strengthen service in this fast-growing corner of the county. That’s a quiet but real plus for everyone already on CFPUA water nearby.
Well owners should ask questions early. If your home is on a private well, find out whether a main will pass near your property and what it would take to connect. Ask CFPUA about any connection fees, whether your home qualifies for any assistance, and what the timing looks like. Don’t assume a connection is automatic or free.
Thinking of selling? If your sale overlaps with construction, a short note about the project and its expected end date can answer a buyer’s question before it becomes a worry. If you’ve connected to public water, keep that paperwork handy.
What This Means for Buyers
Porters Neck and the Bayshore area appeal to buyers who want an established, wooded neighborhood feel with quick access to Wrightsville Beach, Figure Eight Island, and the Interstate 140 bypass. Here are a few things to check when you’re looking here:
- Confirm the water source. Ask whether the home is on CFPUA water, a community system, or a private well. It affects your monthly costs, your inspection plan, and possibly your peace of mind.
- Test well water. If the home is on a well, include a water quality test in your due diligence. Ask whether PFAS testing has been done and get the results in writing.
- Look up planned projects. CFPUA’s project pages and county planning documents show what’s coming near a street you’re considering.
- Factor in sewer, too. Water and sewer service don’t always arrive together. Ask whether the home is on septic and what condition the system is in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the work happening?
Along Market Street and Bayshore Drive toward Bayfield Drive, and along Furtado Drive near Porters Neck Road, according to CFPUA.
When will the Furtado Drive work happen?
Port City Daily reported it’s scheduled to begin in mid-November 2026 and last through January.
Will my home automatically be connected to public water?
Not necessarily. The Furtado Drive phase includes service lines and meters for 19 homes. If you’re elsewhere in the area, contact CFPUA directly about whether and how your property can connect.
Does this affect my property taxes?
CFPUA is a utility funded through rates and other sources, not a county tax line item, and nothing we reviewed ties this project to a property tax change.
Thinking About Porters Neck or Bayshore?
Whether you’re weighing a home on a well versus public water, comparing Porters Neck with Ogden or Hampstead, or getting ready to sell, small details like these can make a big difference. Talk with Aspyre Collective about buying or selling in Porters Neck, and we’ll help you sort out what matters on your street.
