Water quality News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

Erwin loses water after line accidentally hit

A contractor accidentally hit a water line in Erwin Monday afternoon, knocking out water service to the entire Harnett County town.

EPA targets Asheboro pollution

Federal regulators heard emotional testimony Wednesday night about how North Carolina should handle toxic chemical releases from the City of Asheboro's wastewater plant -- pollution that eventually flows into the Cape Fear River Basin, a drinking-water source for more than 1 million people.

EPA hearing draws debate over toxic chemical limits in NC drinking water

Federal regulators heard emotional testimony Wednesday night about how North Carolina should handle toxic chemical releases from the City of Asheboro's wastewater plant -- pollution that eventually flows into the Cape Fear River Basin, a drinking-water source for more than 1 million people.

"Forever chemicals" found in Chapel Hill well as county studies sludge's role

PFAS detected in a Chapel Hill family's well are prompting Orange Water and Sewer Authority to launch private well testing near historic sludge fields as state regulators study potential contamination sources.

Residents tired of waiting for clear water solution in S. Granville County

A years-long water-quality problem in Southern Granville County has residents fed-up. They say the water is often discolored and smells bad.

Hillsborough leaders discuss flooding at Eno River pump station

Flash flooding sent raw sewage into the Eno River, prompting a boil order from the town of Hillsborough.

Hillsborough leaders share update on efforts to restore water and sewer services

The town of Hillsborough shared an update with residents on efforts to restore water and sewer services.

More rain on the way: Here's where to pick up a free well water test kit

Free E. coli test kits are available Thursday through Saturday in Alamance, Orange and Chatham counties as Chantal flooding and new storms threaten private wells serving a quarter of North Carolinians.

Boil water notice lifted in Hillsborough

Hillsborough's boil water notice has been lifted, but the town's water system remains vulnerable as its main treatment plant is offline.

GPS will track trash in NC waters to show how litter spreads

Researchers launched GPS-equipped plastic bottles into a Raleigh creek to track how local litter travels downstream, breaks into microplastics and threatens ecosystems and human health.

'A wish list for polluters': Critics slam NC's PFAS plan

Residents protested a draft PFAS rule at a state meeting Tuesday, saying it doesn't protect communities or drinking water. Commissioners delayed a vote, citing questions about the rule's cost analysis.

Fayetteville clean water project faces uncertainty

Tens of millions of dollars in federal funding meant to remove dangerous PFAS chemicals from the drinking water is now in limbo.

Trash trap helps keep litter out of Neuse River

Sound Rivers, the city of Raleigh, and the Great Raleigh Cleanup installed two new trash traps in Marsh Creek to reduce litter ahead of World Water Day, part of a growing effort to protect local waterways.

New trash traps aim to keep Raleigh's waterways clean

Sound Rivers, the city of Raleigh, and the Great Raleigh Cleanup installed two new trash traps in Marsh Creek to reduce litter ahead of World Water Day, part of a growing effort to protect local waterways.

NC plan lets factories keep dumping toxic chemicals in drinking water

North Carolina advances a PFAS rule critics say won't stop pollution or protect drinking water, as debate grows over industry influence and public health.

Water problems persist in Franklin County's Lake Royale

Outages, boil orders and fluctuating water pressure are issues people in the Lake Royale community said have persisted for years.

NC regulators abruptly cancel PFAS pollution meeting without explanation

A key North Carolina PFAS pollution meeting was abruptly canceled with no explanation. State leaders have not said why or when it will be rescheduled, raising concerns over regulatory delays.

EPA wants NC to get tougher on water quality standards

The EPA is pressuring North Carolina to restore limits on 1,4-dioxane discharges, a toxic chemical threatening drinking water for nearly 1 million NC residents.

NC developing plan to reduce PFAS in surface water

North Carolina is advancing plans to reduce PFAS in surface waters with monitoring and minimization efforts, aiming to curb pollution and lower cleanup costs for utilities and ratepayers.

North Carolina advances plan to tackle PFAS contamination in surface water

North Carolina is advancing plans to reduce PFAS in surface waters with monitoring and minimization efforts, aiming to curb pollution and lower cleanup costs for utilities and ratepayers.

Lake Royale residents concerned after years of water outages persist

Jennifer Hamryszak bought a home in the Lake Royale community only two months ago, and in that time, she said there have been six outages, some persisting for more than a day.

North Carolina Supreme Court weighs future of CSX plant near Richmond County water source

The North Carolina Supreme Court heard arguments in Gardner v. Richmond County, a case that could decide the fate of a proposed CSX industrial plant in south-central North Carolina.

Cary residents raise water quality concerns after reporting black slime, specks

A Cary resident has discovered black slime around her faucets, raising concerns about water quality. Others voiced concerns on social media, posting photos of black specks floating in the water. While the town's utilities department has assured residents that the water is safe, the incident has sparked wider discussions about water regulations.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

NC landfill owner to pay for decades of pollution

An agreement has been reached between the Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN) and GFL, the owner of North Carolina's largest landfill, addressing decades of pollution and environmental justice concerns in the predominantly Black and Latino neighborhood of Snow Hill in Roseboro.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Rocky Mount had 15 sewer spills in less than one month. Nearly 3 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Tar River, creeks

Nearly three million gallons of sewage spilled in Rocky Mount in less than two weeks. In August alone, the city experienced 14 sewer spills within a five-day span.

WRAL staff