Drinking Water Safety

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's (NCDEQ) Division of Water Resources is responsible for ensuring safe drinking water in accordance with federal requirements, issuing pollution control permits, monitoring permit compliance, evaluating environmental water quantity and quality, and carrying out enforcement actions for violations of environmental regulations. The division administers the laws, policies, and rules established by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the state's Environmental Management Commission, and the NC General Assembly.

In June 2017, NCDEQ and the Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) began investigating the presence of a compound known as GenX in the Cape Fear River in June 2017. The Chemours facility in Fayetteville was identified as the company that produces the GenX chemical for industrial processes.

The state's investigation focused on the protection of public health and drinking water; and as part of the state's investigation, DEQ began collecting water samples from multiple sites along the Cape Fear River, with additional samples collected throughout the region. Through this work and the advocacy of the county, city, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, and other community partners, Chemours' release into the Cape Fear River of GenX and two other fluorinated compounds has stopped and the state is developing better information needed to protect North Carolina's water quality and public health.

View the state's updates about water quality and GenX on the NCDEQ website, as well as their GenX Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).

The NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) manages the delivery of health- and human-related services for all North Carolinians. The DHHS Division of Public Health is assisting DEQ to investigate reports of the unregulated chemical known as GenX and other chemicals in the lower Cape Fear River and in July 2017, DHHS set a provisional health goal of 140 nanograms per liter (ng/L) or parts per trillion (ppt) for GenX in drinking water. This is a level of GenX in drinking water below that at which no adverse health effects would be expected over a lifetime of consumption.

The provisional health goal was calculated to protect the most vulnerable populations (i.e. bottle-fed infants) using the available toxicity studies. The Questions and Answers document (PDF) provides additional information on the calculation of the provisional drinking water health goal. Visit the NCDHHS website to learn more.

• PFAS fact sheet (PDF)
• GenX fact sheet (PDF)
• Questions and Answers Regarding the GenX Provisional Health Goal (PDF)

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) serves more than 67,000 water customers in New Hanover County. As the county’s primary drinking water provider, CFPUA conducts hundreds of tests every month on a wide array of contaminants to monitor for compounds that are currently regulated, or may be regulated in the future, and help CFPUA to understand when future investment in more advanced treatment technology may be necessary. View more information about CFPUA and drinking water quality

New Hanover County Public Health permits wells, as authorized by NC DEQ, and can test for certain chemicals in well water including E. coli, fecal coliform bacteria, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Fluoride, Lead, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Nitrate, Nitrite, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Zinc and pH.

Private well owners interested in paying for and having a well tested can contact a commercial laboratory that test for PFAS chemicals. A list of several possible options can be found in this PFAS Water Testing and Filtration Resources (PDF) provided by NCDHHS. New Hanover County Public Health does not have the authority or ability to test for these types of chemicals, which is why an outside contractor and testing provider must be used.

In addition, Chemours is sampling for possible PFAS contamination in private drinking water wells in New Hanover County. Residents with private drinking water wells can request sampling from Chemours by calling 910-678-1100 or responding to the letter Chemours is sending to private well owners. Learn more about the sampling plan 

For concerns or questions about well water sampling, residents can email DEQ or call 919-707-8200.

Public Health's Permitting & Well Water Safety

• Information about well applications and permits
• NC Department of Health and Human Services Private Well and Health Information
• Preparing Your Well for the Next Flood Factsheet (PDF)
• Private Well Water Safety Measures-Spanish (PDF)
• Private Well Water Safety Measures-English (PDF)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards for drinking water quality and regulates drinking water safety. Below are two helpful links with information about the EPA and drinking water requirements and safety:

• Drinking Water Requirements for States and Public Water Systems
• How EPA Regulates Drinking Water Contaminants

Contact State and Federal Regulators of Drinking Water

• NC Department of Environmental Quality
  Phone: 877-623-6748
• US Environmental Protection Agency's Regional Office
  Phone: 800-241-1754

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority customers with drinking water questions can contact CFPUA through their website or call 910-332-6550.

Chemours' Well Testing Letter

Residents who use a private well for drinking water should call Chemours at (910) 678-1100 or fill out the form on the letter and mail it back to begin the sampling process. If you have not received a response back within three days after calling Chemours, you can call DEQ at (919) 707-8200 or send an email to comments.chemours@ncdenr.gov.  

Health Related PFAS Inquires

If you have health-related questions, please contact NC Department of Health and Human Services at 919-707-5900 or email oeeb@dhhs.nc.gov (note: this is the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch).

NHC Water System Advisory (PDF)