Washington’s City Council, during its meeting Monday, approved the sale of a piece of city-owned land and providing three easements to help two Beaufort County water districts.

In March, the city approved several easements and land acquisitions to help accommodate a proposed 12-inch water-transmission line to transfer water supply from Beaufort County Water District VI to Beaufort County Water District I. Albert V. Lewis Jr., with McDavid Associates Inc., appeared before the council Monday, asking for three additional easements and about a half-acre on which to build a booster pump station.

“We have been able to mutually work out such a piece of property. I want to identify that property tonight. It’s in your packet. It’s at the corner Second and Plymouth streets, I think,” Lewis said. “Second of all, when we depart from that booster-pump-station site, the right of ways in that area are congested with other utilities.”

Lewis said the placement of proposed water-transmission line outside of the existing pavement but inside the street right of way in that area cannot be accomplished without conflict with existing utilities. Hence, the need for the additional easements, Lewis noted.

If the water districts do not build the booster pump station within a specified time frame (48 months to 60 months suggested), the districts would “deed the proposed site back to the City in exchange for value paid,” reads a letter from Lewis to City Manager Josh Kay.

The water districts are seeking federal funding to help pay for the 12-inch line. To be eligible for that funding, the districts must have the easements and land for the booster pump station acquired by May 15 and provide site certification by May 22.

The water transmission line would allow water from BCWD VI (Chocowinity/Richland Township on the south side of the Pamlico), which has a water-treatment plant, to other county water districts north of the river. Currently, those water districts north of the river buy their water from Washington.