Chapel Hill Gets $1.09M to Remove Forever Chemicals

Residents of Chapel Hill and Carrboro can breathe easier knowing their tap water is getting safer thanks to $1.09 million in federal funding.

The Orange Water and Sewer Authority received the money to design a new treatment facility specifically targeting PFAS, nicknamed "forever chemicals" because they stick around in the environment for decades. These chemicals have been linked to fertility problems, high cholesterol, and even cancer.

PFAS lurk in surprising everyday items like food packaging and waterproof jackets. When these products end up in landfills, the chemicals seep into groundwater and drinking water supplies.

The wake-up call came when EPA testing showed that raw water from Cane Creek Reservoir contained PFAS levels significantly above proposed federal limits. OWASA didn't wait around for regulations to force their hand.

The water authority already started treating the problem using powdered activated carbon, which has successfully reduced PFAS levels in community drinking water right now. But this temporary fix isn't ideal for the long haul.

The new facility will use granular activated carbon instead. Think of it as the industrial strength version with larger particles that can filter water continuously for longer periods. Both types work by absorbing PFAS, but the granular version handles bigger volumes more efficiently.

OWASA originally planned to build the PFAS facility alongside a new water storage tank called a clearwell. They smartly decided to split the projects to avoid overwhelming costs. The PFAS facility will come after the clearwell is complete.

The Ripple Effect

This investment shows how federal infrastructure dollars are directly improving daily life in communities across America. Chapel Hill and Carrboro join a growing number of cities taking forever chemicals seriously before they become a crisis.

Chemistry professor Erin Baker at UNC notes that PFAS can interfere with hormones, weaken immune systems, and cause developmental delays in children. By tackling this problem now, OWASA is protecting thousands of families from these invisible threats.

The project also demonstrates responsible environmental stewardship. Officials are already thinking ahead about safely disposing of the absorbed PFAS rather than just moving the problem elsewhere.

Local families will soon have drinking water that meets the strictest safety standards without worrying about what's coming through their taps.