HICKORY, N.C. (WHKY) — Hickory City Council has approved an application for nearly $3.82 million in disaster-recovery funding for the Henry Fork Stream-bank Restoration and Sewer Line Improvement Project.

The project would replace or relocate exposed sewer lines, rehabilitate manholes and restore and strengthen eroding stream-banks. City documents say Hurricane Helene worsened conditions along Henry Fork, where major sewer collection lines carry wastewater to the treatment plant.

The full project is estimated to cost $8,819,696. Hickory previously received $5 million through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund for Hurricane Helene. The principal on that funding is forgiven.

The city is seeking the remaining $3,819,696 through the Renew North Carolina Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery program. The application would not require a local match.

Council approved the application following a public hearing Tuesday, August 18.