Where Wilmington Water Comes From

Wilmington’s drinking water is supplied by the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA). The primary source of drinking water is the Cape Fear River, which provides raw surface water to the region.

Water is withdrawn from the river at CFPUA’s intake and transported to treatment facilities before being distributed to homes and businesses across Wilmington and surrounding areas.

How Wilmington Water Is Treated

Wilmington’s water is treated at CFPUA facilities including the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant and the Richardson Nanofiltration Plant.

The treatment process includes coagulation, filtration, disinfection, and advanced nanofiltration designed to remove contaminants such as organic compounds and PFAS chemicals associated with the Cape Fear River watershed. Water quality is continuously monitored to ensure compliance with state and federal standards.

Official Wilmington Water Quality Report

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority publishes an annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) summarizing drinking water sources, treatment processes, and regulated testing results. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

View the 2024 Report on This Page

Source: Cape Fear Public Utility Authority — 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, which compiles publicly available testing data for utilities across the United States.