Buckingham's sewer lines are aging and in poor condition, with frequent backups and corrosion issues. Local authorities have prioritized partial repairs but face long-term funding and infrastructure challenges.

Buckingham, a town in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, relies on a sewer system built primarily in the 1970s. According to a 2022 report by the Centralina Water and Sewer Authority, approximately 30% of the town’s sewer lines are classified as "high risk" due to cracks, blockages, and insufficient capacity. This condition is exacerbated by population growth and heavy rainfall, which overwhelm the outdated infrastructure. In 2021, the town experienced 45 sewer main failures, leading to $2.3 million in emergency repairs, as documented in the Mecklenburg County Public Works Annual Report. Corrosion from decades of use and inadequate maintenance further degrade the lines, increasing the likelihood of costly backups and environmental contamination.

The primary reasons for the sewer line issues stem from underinvestment and delayed upgrades. From 2000 to 2020, Buckingham allocated less than 1% of its annual budget to sewer infrastructure, compared to the state median of 3%, according to the North Carolina League of Municipalities. This disparity left critical projects like the $5 million Southeast Corridor Sewer Replacement Program (completed in 2023) dependent on federal grants and state funding. Additionally, a 2023 study by Duke University’s Civil Engineering Department found that 60% of households in Buckingham reported experiencing sewer-related issues in the past five years, with 70% attributing this to aging infrastructure. Environmental concerns, such as groundwater pollution from failed lines, have also prompted regulatory scrutiny from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. To address these challenges, local officials have proposed a 10-year, $25 million improvement plan, though its feasibility remains uncertain due to competing budget priorities and rising material costs. Without sustained investment, the risk of system failures and public health hazards will likely worsen.