More NC Drinking Water Forever Chemicals Detected

CLIFF NOTES
● PFAS detected in additional NC water systems.
● Millions more residents may be exposed.
● Utilities face compliance challenges.
● Health risks are well documented.
● Treatment upgrades are ongoing.

In recent months, federal environmental testing has shed light on an expanding water contamination crisis. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported the presence of toxic “forever chemicals”—known scientifically as PFAS—in 200 new water systems across the U.S. The updated data pushes the number of Americans potentially exposed to more than 172 million.

Among the newly flagged areas are Durham and Fayetteville in North Carolina, bringing the issue close to home for thousands. These cities join others like Cary, Apex, Orange County, and Wilmington, where utilities are already contending with PFAS and the long road toward compliance with newly established federal safety limits.

“These chemicals cause harm at incredibly low concentrations, and any additional exposure is a concern,” said David Andrews, acting chief science officer at the Environmental Working Group (EWG). “This is a public health problem that needs to be addressed with urgency.”

What Are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic compounds used widely since the 1940s in products like firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, and food packaging. Because they do not degrade naturally, these chemicals persist in soil, water, and even human tissue—earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”

Health studies have consistently linked PFAS exposure to cancer, suppressed immune function, developmental delays, and reduced vaccine effectiveness.

EPA Sets New Standards—But Timeline May Shift

In April 2024, the EPA introduced enforceable limits for several PFAS chemicals in drinking water:

• 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS

• 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX

• A combined “hazard index” for PFAS mixtures

Water systems must comply by 2029, though the EPA hinted it may extend that deadline to 2031. Simultaneously, there’s growing concern among environmental groups that the agency might scale back some limits, potentially exempting GenX and other compounds from mandatory regulation.

Durham: High Stakes, High Spending

The City of Durham has taken early action. Since 2018, officials have conducted quarterly PFAS tests and published results online. Recent findings show PFAS concentrations in treated drinking water fluctuate around the new legal thresholds, occasionally rising above them.

In July, the city announced plans to install a powdered activated carbon (PAC) system to reduce PFAS. Partnering with engineering firm HDR, Inc., Durham aims to complete the $15 million upgrade by 2029.

“We’ve been proactively testing for PFAS well before it was required,” city officials stated. “Our long-term treatment upgrades are moving forward so we can meet, or beat, the federal standards.”

Despite extensive monitoring, Durham has yet to identify a specific pollution source in its watershed.

Fayetteville: Contamination Downstream from Chemours

In Fayetteville, the chemical manufacturer Chemours has long cast a shadow. Its Fayetteville Works facility released PFAS—including GenX—into the Cape Fear River, leading to widespread contamination from the plant to coastal communities like Wilmington.

Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission (PWC) draws water from upstream of the facility, yet still reports PFAS levels exceeding federal limits. While the intake avoids direct river discharge, soil, groundwater, and air near the site show extensive contamination.

“Water provided by PWC continues to be safe to drink and meets or exceeds all current EPA regulatory requirements,” said PWC’s communications manager Gavin MacRoberts.

To stay compliant, PWC plans to expand its PAC system by 2025 and complete a granular activated carbon (GAC) system by 2028. It has secured $81 million in funding from grants and loans while urging regulators to hold polluters financially accountable.

Cary and Apex: Ahead of the Curve

The towns of Apex and Cary share a water treatment facility drawing from Jordan Lake. Officials here say they’ve been removing PFAS for years and continue to meet federal standards using PAC.

The Cary/Apex facility is also participating in a pilot program testing new technology at Jordan Lake. The Invicta Water system aims to eliminate PFAS without generating toxic byproducts—a concern that looms large over many conventional treatment methods.

“We’ve been treating for the reduction of PFAS for many years,” said Michael Deaton, Apex’s water resources director. “We’ve been in full compliance with the new regulations since long before the new regulations were introduced.”

Orange County: High Levels, High Hopes

Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), serving Chapel Hill and Carrboro, has detected raw water PFAS levels between 60 and 80 ppt for PFOA and PFOS—far above the EPA’s 4 ppt cap.

To manage the risk, OWASA uses PAC to lower concentrations in drinking water to legal levels. But the utility sees this as a short-term fix.

“Our long-term plan is to move toward a granular activated carbon treatment facility that actually destroys PFAS instead of just shifting the problem somewhere else,” said OWASA’s Executive Director, Todd Taylor Spinelli.

This upgrade will come at a high cost. As a benchmark, Wilmington’s Cape Fear Public Utility Authority spent $43 million on its own GAC system.

“We want to find every possible funding opportunity to reduce the burden on our ratepayers for something they didn’t cause,” Spinelli added.

Regulatory Uncertainty and Financial Strain

Many utilities in North Carolina already comply with federal standards, but staying compliant may require significant investment. Apex spends up to $2.5 million annually on PFAS mitigation—roughly 15% of its water budget. OWASA expects to invest millions more in future upgrades.

The issue, advocates say, isn’t just technical—it’s systemic.

“Addressing the problem means going to the source,” said David Andrews of EWG. “For PFAS, that’s industrial sites, chemical plants, and the unnecessary use of these chemicals in consumer products.”

Environmental groups have criticized the EPA’s plan to deregulate certain PFAS compounds.

“Rolling back these limits would make it harder to hold polluters responsible and ensure clean drinking water,” said Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at EWG. “Everyone deserves access to clean water, and it shouldn’t fall to consumers alone to filter PFAS from their tap water.”

Legal Action and What Comes Next

As the EPA prepares to release more PFAS testing data later this year, communities across the state remain in limbo—waiting to see if their water makes the list.

Some utilities are turning to the courts. Lawsuits against polluters, including Chemours, aim to recoup treatment costs. Others are working through public meetings and state partnerships to raise funds and prepare infrastructure upgrades.

“We feel like we’re having to treat for something we didn’t make, didn’t understand, didn’t anticipate—but now we have to do something with it,” said Spinelli. “It’s not fun to pay an increasing water bill just to manage something you didn’t cause, but we’re trying to do it in the most responsible way possible.”

Why Reverse Osmosis and Whole-Home Water Conditioners Matter

For households looking to reduce PFAS exposure, point-of-use and whole-home water treatment options are gaining popularity. Reverse osmosis systems filter out up to 99% of PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane.

Whole-home water conditioners, particularly those using granular activated carbon or advanced ion-exchange resins, can lower PFAS levels before water reaches faucets, showers, and washing machines.

These technologies offer an immediate line of defense—especially for those in areas where municipal systems have yet to meet federal standards or where long-term upgrades remain years away.

Source: WRAL News