State health and water quality officials urge the public to avoid contact with green or blue water on the Chowan River between the Occano community in Bertie County and Arrowhead Beach in Chowan County.
public health
Critics say law will derail health, environmental rulemaking
House Bill 402, which became law this past summer despite the governor’s veto, has drawn sharp criticism from environmental and health advocates who argue it will stifle an already daunting rulemaking process and create significant obstacles to addressing pollution.
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 residents asked to participate in health survey
The 2025 Community Health Opinion Survey will help Brunswick County and its health care partners identify and prioritize health-related needs.
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Brunswick County in a release stated that it reserves the right to refile the lawsuit it rescinded last Monday against the contractor it hired to expand and install a low-pressure reverse osmosis system at the Northwest Water Treatment Plant.
Hurricane Erin to remain offshore, coastal NC to feel impacts
The center of Hurricane Erin is expected to remain offshore, but forecasters expect eastern North Carolina to see coastal flooding, tropical-storm-force winds, overwash and beach erosion.
More than $240M awarded for water, wastewater upgrades
Drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects in a handful of coastal counties are among 48 projects selected to receive funding grants.
PACT Act ignores TCE, PCE contamination on military bases
Guest commentary: With more than 620,000 veterans living in North Carolina, many likely exposed to recently banned compounds trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene while working for the military, updating the toxic agents list is essential for equal access to benefits.
Unhealthy heat levels forecast for coastal counties this week
Residents should take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses in all 20 coastal counties in the coming days.
Coastal counties should expect unhealthy heat
State officials are advising residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses in the coastal counties where the heat is expected to reach unhealthy levels.
North Carolina braces for ‘another summer of record heat’
As North Carolina readies for another extremely hot summer, Gov. Josh Stein’s office warns that federal cuts could affect the state’s heat-related programs.
Officials urge ‘When in doubt, stay out’ of discolored water
The public is reminded to avoid contact with discolored water as it may indicate the presence of an algal bloom.
Oak Island beachgoers warned to avoid an area of ocean surf
State recreation water quality officials are advising beachgoers in Oak Island to stay away from an area of ocean surf where town officials have been pumping floodwaters caused by recent rainfall.
State issues swim advisories for waters in 2 coastal counties
Swimmers should avoid entering waters within 200 feet of posted advisories at soundside beaches in Beaufort and New Hanover counties, where waters tested for elevated bacteria levels.
Proposed state rules on discharges defanged as EPA retreats
The Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement this week that it will rescind and reexamine four expected PFAS rules follows a state Environmental Management Commission committee’s opaque decision stalling proposed surface water rules on three compounds.
NC BREATHE in-person conference registration now open
Early bird registration is open now for the in-person conference focused on community health and resilience is taking place in Charlotte Oct. 8-9.
