Comprehensive Overview of Water Quality in North Carolina

North Carolina has an immense system of water resources containing over 37,000 miles of rivers and streams, 12,000 miles of estuarine refrigerators, and numerous lakes and reservoirs. These water bodies are extremely relevant to drinking water, agriculture, industry, recreation, and supporting an ecology of various ecosystems.​

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) has the responsibility of undertaking water quality assessments in the state of North Carolina on the basis of Sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the Clean Water Act, which is a biennial exercise. According to the latest Integrated Report, different water bodies that are not meeting the water quality guidelines are polluted by nutrients, sedimentary organisms, and pathogenic emergent contaminations of the water bodies, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).​ Although the quality of most water bodies is up to date, there are still issues, especially in those regions that are fast getting urbanized, highly farmed, and sporting industrial settings. Work is being carried out to conserve, survey, and review these essential water sources.​

North Carolina Water Quality Challenges

1. Nutrient Pollution

Nutrient pollution is caused by an overabundance of nitrogen and phosphorus in agricultural runoff, wastewater, and city stormwater. This causes algal blooms, hypoxia, and fish kills, particularly in the Neuse and Cape Fear River basins. Nutrient management practices at the state level have been established; however, there exist challenges when it comes to reconciliation between growth and protection of water quality.​

2. PFAS Contamination

PFAS, also called forever chemicals, are chemicals produced in relation to multiple industrial and consumer products. In North Carolina, we see that the Cape Fear River has been greatly contaminated by PFAS and that a number of people, such as those in Wilmington, receive their drinking water supply from it. Some of the production sources are industrial discharges, firefighting foams, and wastewater treatment plants. The state has come up with a Safeguarding Action Strategy to counter PFAS, which aims at source identification, exposure reduction, and communication of the situation to people.​

3. Stormwater Runoff

More impervious surfaces are made by urbanization, which causes the growth of volumes of stormwater runoff. The pollutants deposited in this runoff, such as oils, heavy metals, and sediments, move into the water sources, worsening the quality of water and aquatic organisms. To overcome these impacts, it is necessary to manage the stormwater using green infrastructure and best management practices.​

4. Sedimentation and Erosion

These sedimentation activities in the rivers and the streams are caused by land-disturbing activities such as construction and deforestation. Deposits may cover fish and increase turbidity of water and move them along with attached pollutants. To meet this challenge it is essential to take erosion control steps.​

5. Pathogen Contamination

Pathogens from failing septic systems, animal waste, and stormwater runoff pose risks to human health and aquatic life. Elevated bacteria levels have led to advisories against swimming in certain coastal waters following heavy rains .​

State and Local Efforts to Improve Water Quality

1. Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)

CWSRF North Carolina offers low- interest loans to treat wastewater, manage stormwater and control nonpoint source pollution. This initiative promotes infrastructure upgrading that increases the level of water quality in the state.​

Resilience Exchange

2. Nutrient Managements Strategies

Within the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River basins, the state applied nutrient reduction policies that focus on both the point sources and the nonpoint sources. These are regulatory strategies, best management practices and cooperation with the stakeholders with the aim of reducing the loads of nutrients.​

3. PFAS Action Strategy

The Action Strategy developed by NC DEQ regarding PFAS is concentrated on the role of identifying and minimizing PFAS sources, increasing monitoring, and improving the outreach to the population. The plan is expected to shield communities against PFAS exposure using both regulatory and non regulatory measures.​

4. Watershed Restorations Programs

Watershed restoration project, such as streambank stabilization, wetland restoration, and establishment of riparian buffers are carried out using local organizations and agencies. The purpose of such efforts is to enhance the water quality and only habitat conditions.​

5. Public Education and Enlightenment

Citizen-based water quality programs such as North Carolina Water Watch have citizens involved in the observation and education of the quality of the waters. Engagement is highly essential in sensitizing people and creating an attitude of water resource stewardship.​

Impact of Climate Change on Water Quality

Climate change poses significant risks to North Carolina's water quality through various pathways:​

1. Increased Flooding and Storm Events

The occurrence of more and severe storms contributes to flood risk and higher floods can disrupt wastewater systems and add more pollutants into the water bodies. As an example, Hurricane Florence in 2018 resulted in massive flooding and water quality problems in Cape Fear River Basin.​

North Carolina Sea Grant

2. Saltwater intrusion and Sea-Level Rise

Sea level rise poses a threat to fresh water aquifers along the coastlines due to salt water intrusion which affects the supply of drinking water. These challenges will be worsened by the fact that sea levels are expected to be higher in the Outer Banks, by between 15 to 22 inches by 2050, because of climate change .​

3. Temperature Increases

Higher temperatures may aggravate the algal growth and decrease oxygen levels in the water bodies, which puts pressure on the aquatic organisms and impacts the water quality.​

4. Drought Conditions

Little rain leads to long drought, which minimizes the streamflows and concentrates the pollutants to worsen the water quality. This will have a role in the ecological health as well as water availability to mankind.​

North Carolina continues to address these challenges through adaptive management, infrastructure investments, and collaborative efforts among state agencies, local governments, and communities. Protecting and improving water quality remains a priority to ensure the health and resilience of the state's water resources.​