Sampling at Asheboro’s wastewater treatment plant revealed elevated discharges of 1,4-dioxane, a likely human carcinogen, in a waterway upstream of drinking water sources for some 900,000 North Carolinians.
Cape Fear Region
Wilmington Council resolves to oppose Chemours’ expansion
The Wilmington City Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution opposing Chemours’ proposed expansion of its Fayetteville Works plant in Bladen County.
Cape Fear nonprofit writes how-to on growing tree canopies
The Wilmington-based Alliance for Cape Fear Trees has released a 45-page guide to help local governments grow greener, healthier canopies.
Nonprofit to host native tree giveaway in Leland
Alliance for Cape Fear Trees is hosting its first big tree giveaway of the season Nov. 1 in Leland.
DEQ requires Chemours to expand PFAS well water testing
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality announced Thursday that it is requiring Chemours expand sampling eligibility of PFAS contamination to about 14,000 additional residences in the lower Cape Fear region.
EPA sets hearing on Asheboro’s proposed discharge permit
The Environmental Protection Agency is holding the public hearing on a proposed permit for the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which dumps high levels of 1,4-dioxane waste and is upstream of municipal drinking water customers in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties.
Brunswick halts water treatment plant contractor lawsuit
Brunswick County in a release stated that it reserves the right to refile the lawsuit it rescinded last Monday against the contractor it hired to expand and install a low-pressure reverse osmosis system at the Northwest Water Treatment Plant.
Brunswick fires, sues water treatment plant contractor
Citing repeated delays and poor workmanship, Brunswick County on July 25 filed a lawsuit against and terminated the contracting company it hired to expand and upgrade the Northwest Water Treatment Plant.
EPA steps in on Lear Corp. permit; DEQ adds time for input
The Environmental Protection Agency has informed North Carolina regulators it has invoked a 60-day extension to review the automotive textile and technology manufacturer’s draft permit to discharge compounds into the Northeast Cape Fear River.
Petition seeks industrial discharge prevention mandate
The Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf Cape Fear River Watch, MountainTrue, and Yadkin Riverkeeper has petitioned the N.C. Environmental Management Commission to rule that the state must force industries to install technologies that stop pollution at the source.
Groups Seek Judicial Review of EPA Report
Six North Carolina groups filed a petition Monday seeking judicial review of an Environmental Protection Agency evaluation of the cancer risk from 1,4-dioxane.
New Study Shows Higher Levels of PFAS
According to reports, new analysis of preserved samples indicates that forever chemicals were present in Wilmington drinking water at extreme levels
Spill at Chemours Site Reaches Cape Fear
The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority in Wilmington and Brunswick County’s water utility temporarily stopped drawing water from the Cape Fear River in response to a spill at the Chemours Fayetteville Works site.
Senate Lowers Bottom Line on PFAS Funding
A big difference in the Senate’s version of the state budget and the House’s and governor’s proposals is how it addresses emerging contaminants such as polyfluoroalkyl substances.
DEQ Orders New Sampling for Contaminants
The Department of Environmental Quality has ordered operators of wastewater pretreatment facilities in the Cape Fear River Basin to begin testing water flowing into their plants for 1,4 dioxane and PFAS.
Senate Adjourns With No Vote On GenX Bill
Republicans and Democrats in the state House of Representatives want to give state regulators more money to address the GenX issue, but Senate leaders refuse to support the measure.
