Where Raleigh Water Comes From

Raleigh’s drinking water primarily comes from Falls Lake Reservoir in northern Wake County. Raleigh also uses Lake Benson in Garner as a secondary water source.

Source water is conveyed to Raleigh’s treatment plants and then delivered through the city’s distribution system to homes and businesses across Raleigh and surrounding service areas.

How Raleigh Water Is Treated

Falls Lake water is treated at the E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant, and Lake Benson water is treated at the Dempsey E. Benton Water Treatment Plant.

Like most surface water systems, Raleigh uses a multi-step process that typically includes coagulation (flocculation & sedimentation), filtration, and disinfection. Raleigh’s treatment process also includes ozone and chloramines to help control microbes and maintain protection throughout the distribution system.

Official Raleigh Water Quality Report

Raleigh Water publishes an annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) summarizing source information, treatment, and regulated testing results.

View the 2024 Report on This Page

Source: City of Raleigh (Raleigh Water) — official annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report).

Additional Water Information (EWG Database)

Some homeowners also explore third-party water databases such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database. This resource compiles publicly available testing data and presents it using its own health-based guidelines.

EWG is not a regulatory agency, and its screening levels may differ from EPA or state drinking water standards. For official compliance reporting, always refer to the City’s annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).