Utilities across North Carolina are confronting rising levels of toxic PFAS in public water supplies, as newly released federal data shows contamination in systems serving cities like Durham and Fayetteville.
Liz McLaughlin reports for WRAL News.
In short:
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has detected PFAS contamination in 200 additional U.S. drinking water systems, pushing the number of Americans exposed to over 172 million. Affected North Carolina systems include Durham, Fayetteville, and Chapel Hill.
- Utilities like OWASA and Apex are using activated carbon technologies to lower PFAS levels below the EPA’s new limit of four parts per trillion, but these solutions are costly and generate significant waste.
- Environmental advocates warn that federal regulators are preparing to roll back PFAS limits for four compounds, which they say could weaken efforts to hold polluters accountable and protect drinking water.
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