North Carolina Allocates $17 Million to Combat Water Contamination in Wilmington
In a significant move to address water safety, Governor Josh Stein and Secretary Reid Wilson of the Department of Environmental Quality announced a $17 million grant aimed at eliminating harmful chemicals in drinking water. The announcement took place at the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant in Wilmington, highlighting efforts to connect over 300 homes with compromised wells to Cape Fear Public Utility Authority’s (CFPUA) clean water supply.
This initiative is part of a broader $472 million investment in water infrastructure across 66 counties, which Governor Stein recently declared. The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority has been allocated $17.8 million of this sum for upgrades to the Southside Water Reclamation Facility, enhancing its capacity and efficiency.
Governor Stein emphasized the importance of safe drinking water, saying, “When families turn on the tap, they deserve to know that their water is clean and safe.” He added that the investment will enable over 300 families to access the public water supply, safeguarding them from “forever chemicals.”
DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson pointed out the concerns among residents in the Cape Fear River Basin about high levels of contaminants like GenX and PFAS. He stated, “The Department of Environmental Quality remains committed to doing everything we can to reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals so that families can trust that the water coming out of their tap is healthy and safe.”
Dane Scalise, Vice Chair of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners and CFPUA Board Member, expressed gratitude for the funding, noting, “Clean drinking water is among the most fundamental services government provides. This funding helps connect families in New Hanover County to the safe water they deserve.”
Wesley P. Corder, CFPUA Board Chairman, highlighted the effectiveness of new filters installed at the Sweeney Plant in 2022. He stated, “Since CFPUA brought new filters online at our Sweeney Plant in 2022, we have been able to effectively remove GenX and other PFAS from our public drinking water.” He also thanked the Governor’s Office and DEQ for their support.
The $17 million funding, facilitated through DEQ’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (ECSDC) program, comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In areas of New Hanover County affected by the waterline extension, over 75% of tested wells exceeded health standards for PFAS compounds.
The $472 million statewide initiative by NCDEQ is set to enhance infrastructure resilience against future storms, improve water systems, mitigate forever chemical contamination, and replace lead pipes. The recent $17.8 million allocation to CFPUA increases DEQ’s support for the Southside Replacement Project to a total of $192.8 million.
Governor Stein’s efforts to fortify North Carolina’s water systems have been ongoing, with more than $1.4 billion directed towards water infrastructure projects since his tenure began. Highlighting his commitment, Stein recently addressed the 40th annual Emerging Issues Forum in Winston-Salem, emphasizing the necessity of continuous investment in the state’s water infrastructure. His legal actions against companies like DuPont and Chemours for polluting the Cape Fear River with forever chemicals underline his dedication to safeguarding community health.
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