MISI Score
43.0
Fragile
Project NC / McDowell County
BOTH · McDowell CountyPWSID NC0156025
MISI Score
43.0
Fragile
Score Confidence
0.9%
Peer Percentile
96.1th
As of
Apr 23, 2026
EXPLANATION
MARKET INTERPRETATION
Old Fort is a smaller community water system, serving approximately 1,700 residents. The current reading places the system in a zone of moderate-to-elevated stress that goes beyond normal operating variation.
The score is being driven mainly by Capex Pressure, which is at the top of its range in the model, with Operational Stress adding another heavy layer of pressure. That combination suggests strain is showing up across core system functions, not just one isolated dimension.
8 active stress signals are attached to this system, including 3 at high severity. That signal mix points to a system where several warning indicators are firing at once, not just one extreme outlier.
Within its peer cohort, this system ranks around the 96th percentile on measured stress, placing it near the top of peer-group stress.
Recent observations suggest the system has been relatively steady rather than sharply improving or deteriorating — the current picture looks more like persistent underlying pressure than a sudden shift.
This summary is based on structured, source-backed public data and is intended for research and monitoring only. It is not investment advice, a credit opinion, or municipal advisory guidance.
SCORE STACK
SL 2020-79
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
ACTIVE SIGNALS
Large structural capital need relative to local support capacity often precedes major rate or funding pressure.
Score impact: 12.0 · Family: Capex Pressure
Repeated or serious compliance failures often indicate rising operational and infrastructure stress.
Score impact: 6.0 · Family: Operational Stress
A shrinking served population weakens the customer base and raises infrastructure cost per customer.
Score impact: 6.0 · Family: Revenue Fragility
Abrupt deterioration can indicate multiple compounding issues crossing thresholds together.
Score impact: 3.0 · Family: Governance Risk
Elevated drought and flood exposure raises outage, source-water, and infrastructure reliability stress.
Score impact: 4.0 · Family: Operational Stress
Active drought conditions stress source-water availability and treatment operations.
Score impact: 4.0 · Family: Operational Stress
HISTORY
Latest
43.0
Trend
+43.0
Observations
20
NC TREASURER FBA
Days Cash on Hand
441
Days Cash As Of
Jun 30, 2024
Population Served
1,700
Lead and copper exceedances and replacement obligations can drive near-term treatment and capital pressure.
Score impact: 5.0 · Family: Capex Pressure
PFAS detections can force expensive treatment retrofits and accelerate capital plans.
Score impact: 8.0 · Family: Capex Pressure