North Carolina Invests $17.8 Million to Protect 300+ Families From Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water

North Carolina is taking decisive action to protect families from dangerous "forever chemicals" in their drinking water. Governor Josh Stein announced a $17.8 million grant to the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority to replace and upgrade water infrastructure, connecting more than 300 homes with contaminated wells to the utility's clean drinking water supply. This funding addresses a serious public health concern in the Cape Fear River Basin, where per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—a group of thousands of human-made chemicals used in heat, water, and stain-resistant products—have contaminated private wells at alarming rates.

What Are Forever Chemicals and Why Should You Care?

PFAS earned the nickname "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally in the environment or in the human body. In parts of New Hanover County served by the waterline extension projects, more than 75% of sampled wells exceeded health-based drinking water standards for certain PFAS compounds, including GenX. These chemicals have been used for decades in everyday products, but their persistence in water supplies poses significant health risks to families who rely on well water.

"People who live in the Cape Fear River Basin are rightly concerned about high levels of forever chemicals like GenX and PFAS in their drinking water," said Reid Wilson, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary. "The Department of Environmental Quality remains committed to doing everything we can to reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals so that families can trust that the water coming out of their tap is healthy and safe".

How Modern Water Filtration Is Removing PFAS From Public Supplies

• Advanced Filtration Technology: The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority installed new filters at its Sweeney Water Treatment Plant in 2022 that effectively remove GenX and other PFAS from public drinking water.
• Waterline Extensions: The $17.8 million grant will fund the replacement and capacity upgrade of the Southside Water Reclamation Facility, extending waterlines to connect homes with contaminated wells to the utility's clean water supply.
• Comprehensive Infrastructure Investment: This funding is part of a broader $472 million statewide investment through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality supporting drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects across cities, towns, and counties.

A Statewide Commitment to Water Safety

The $17.8 million grant to Cape Fear Public Utility Authority brings the Department of Environmental Quality's total support for the Southside Replacement Project to $192.8 million. This substantial investment reflects the state's recognition of the urgent need to address water contamination in vulnerable communities. Governor Stein emphasized the importance of this work, stating: "When families turn on the tap, they deserve to know that their water is clean and safe. This $17 million investment in Wilmington will protect more than 300 families from forever chemicals by connecting their homes to the public water supply".

Since taking office, Governor Stein has advanced more than $1.4 billion in water infrastructure projects designed to strengthen drinking water and wastewater systems while addressing PFAS and other contaminants. The broader $472 million statewide investment will help communities strengthen infrastructure to better withstand future storms, improve existing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, reduce contamination by forever chemicals, and identify and replace lead pipes.

What Makes This Funding Program Unique?

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is receiving these funds through the Department of Environmental Quality's Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities program, which is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This targeted approach ensures that communities most vulnerable to water contamination receive priority support. Wesley P. Corder, Board Chairman of the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, expressed gratitude for the investment: "Since CFPUA brought new filters online at our Sweeney Plant in 2022, we have been able to effectively remove GenX and other PFAS from our public drinking water. We are very grateful for this support from Governor Stein's Office and the Department of Environmental Quality, which will enable us to connect more families in our community to CFPUA's clean, clearly better water".

For families in New Hanover County with contaminated wells, this investment represents more than just infrastructure—it's a pathway to peace of mind. When you turn on the tap, you deserve water that's safe for your family to drink, cook with, and use every day. This $17.8 million commitment ensures that over 300 families will soon have access to water that meets strict health-based drinking water standards, free from the forever chemicals that have plagued private wells in the region.