The target is performance better than or equal to the average North Carolina Benchmarking Survey Respondents, ≤55%: "Close to Target" is ≤70%; anything else is "Needs Improvement."

Calendar Year (CY) 2022 was a low rainfall (dry) year in comparison to previous years. Hence, the rain water inflow and intrusion (I&I) was significantly less and the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WPT) capacity significantly increased. American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding and Utility rate increases will help the City address I&I issues and retain capacity for economic growth. An expansion of the WTP capacity from 14.2 to 17.6 million gallons per day (MGD) is possible at an estimated cost of $100M+/-.

The Public Utilities Department defines the target; Water Reclamation Facility staff record daily wastewater treatment flows into Daily Monitoring Reports. At the end of each calendar year, staff evaluates this data to determine treatment capacity in relation to the 80/90 Rule for plant design and/or expansion.