Brian Barton
The City of Lenoir, NC, owns and operates the Lake Rhodhiss Water Treatment Plant, which provides water for residents in Lenoir and Caldwell County. The city also operates two wastewater treatment plants: the Lower Creek Facility and the Gunpowder Creek Facility. While the presence of contaminants in drinking water does not necessarily indicate a health risk, it is essential to monitor and treat water sources to ensure safe consumption. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) conducts assessments to determine the susceptibility of drinking water sources to potential contaminants, and the city has implemented measures to enhance its treatment capabilities and maintain water quality. This raises the question: How polluted is Lower Creek in Lenoir, NC, and what steps are being taken to ensure the creek's water quality is safe for the local ecosystem and residents who depend on it?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Lower Creek, Lenoir, NC |
| Water Treatment Plant | Lake Rhodhiss Water Treatment Plant |
| Owner and Operator | City of Lenoir |
| Assessments | Conducted by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Public Water Supply (PWS) Section, Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) |
| Purpose of Assessments | To determine the susceptibility of drinking water sources to Potential Contaminant Sources (PCS) |
| Availability of Results | SWAP Assessment Reports available online or by request via mail or email |
| Contaminants | Small amounts of contaminants may be present in drinking water, including bottled water |
| Health Risks | Presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate a health risk, but some individuals may be more vulnerable |
| Testing Results | No asbestos, pesticides, nitrates, sulfates, cyanide, metals, or volatile/synthetic organic chemicals detected |
| Water Quality | Results well below any known level of concern; plant has never been cited for exceeding parameters |
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What You'll Learn
The Lower Creek Facility treats wastewater
The City of Lenoir treats its wastewater through the Lower Creek Facility, one of the city's two wastewater treatment plants. The other plant is the Gunpowder Creek Facility. The city also operates the Lake Rhodhiss Water Treatment Plant, which provides potable water for residents of Lenoir and Caldwell County. This plant has undergone several upgrades to enhance its treatment capabilities and ensure the water quality remains within required parameters.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) conducts routine assessments of drinking water sources across the state, including Lenoir. These assessments are designed to identify the presence of potential contaminants and their sources. The results of these assessments are made available to the public, along with relevant maps and background information.
While it is expected that drinking water may contain trace amounts of certain contaminants, the presence of these does not necessarily pose a health risk. The city of Lenoir's Consumer Confidence Report states that all results from water tests were well below any level of concern. No harmful substances, including asbestos, pesticides, nitrates, sulfates, cyanide, metals, or volatile organic chemicals, were detected in the water supply.
The city of Lenoir encourages its residents to be informed about their water utility. Regular council meetings are held to discuss these matters, and residents can access additional information through various channels, such as the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline.
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Drinking water may contain contaminants
The quality of drinking water in Lenoir, North Carolina, is routinely monitored by the North Lenoir Water Corporation (NLWC) and the City of Lenoir, which both aim to provide high-quality drinking water to residents.
The sources of drinking water in Lenoir include Lake Rhodhiss, the Neuse River, and the Black Creek and Upper Cape Fear Aquifers. While the City of Lenoir treats water at the Lake Rhodhiss Water Treatment Plant, the NLWC also sources water from the Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority (NRWASA).
Drinking water, including bottled water, may contain at least small amounts of contaminants. These contaminants may include microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria, inorganic contaminants like salts and metals, pesticides and herbicides, organic chemical contaminants, and radioactive contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. However, some people may be more vulnerable to the effects of these contaminants, including immunocompromised individuals and the elderly.
The EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems, and the FDA enforces similar regulations for bottled water. The Maximum Residual Disinfection Level (MRDL) is the highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water. Disinfectants are necessary to control microbial contaminants, but they can also form byproducts like trihalomethanes (such as bromodichloromethane and chloroform) and haloacetic acids (such as dichloroacetic acid) that increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.
Lead is another contaminant that can cause serious health issues, especially for pregnant women and young children. While the City of Lenoir is responsible for removing lead pipes, residents are also responsible for protecting themselves from lead in their home plumbing. Other contaminants with EPA-set national secondary drinking water standards (SMCLs) can affect the taste, odor, and colour of drinking water but typically do not pose health risks.
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The North Carolina DEQ assesses drinking water sources
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) assesses drinking water sources through its Division of Water Resources. This division is responsible for ensuring the environmental protection and quality of the state's surface water and groundwater, as well as providing safe drinking water for North Carolina residents.
The NCDEQ's Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) conducts assessments of all drinking water sources across the state to determine their susceptibility to potential contaminant sources. These assessments consider water from wells or surface water intakes, which can include streams, rivers, and lakes. The results of the SWAP assessments are made available to the public and include maps, background information, and a relative susceptibility rating of Higher, Moderate, or Lower.
The NCDEQ also works to protect drinking water sources through its Drinking Water Protection Program. This program is based on federal initiatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and includes the Source Water Protection (SWP) planning mandate. While SWP planning does not guarantee the absence of contamination, it helps utilities assess vulnerabilities and identify strategies to protect public health.
To ensure compliance with water quality standards, the NCDEQ conducts regular reviews and updates. States are required to review their water quality standards every three years under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act). During this Triennial Review, NCDEQ staff examine current EPA guidelines, scientific data, and public comments to make recommendations for any necessary changes to the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC). Following approvals, the updated standards are adopted into state rules.
The NCDEQ also provides public access to information about water resources, including data, statistics, and public notices and hearings related to the Division of Water Resources. Additionally, the department seeks input and participation from the community through regularly scheduled council meetings and encourages residents to take an active role in protecting their drinking water sources.
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The Lake Rhodhiss Water Treatment Plant provides potable water
The Lake Rhodhiss Water Treatment Plant, located in Granite Falls, NC, provides potable water to the local area. The plant is owned and operated by the City of Lenoir, which has recently completed several major updates to enhance its treatment capabilities. The plant treats and distributes water in accordance with the stringent guidelines established by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) conducted assessments for all drinking water sources across the state, including Lake Rhodhiss, to determine the susceptibility of each source to potential contaminants. The results of these assessments are available in the SWAP Assessment Reports, which include maps, background information, and a relative susceptibility rating of Higher, Moderate, or Lower. The reports are available online, and the Source Water Assessment Program also accepts requests for printed copies via mail or email.
The City of Lenoir takes water quality seriously and wants its customers to be informed about their water utility. While drinking water may contain small amounts of contaminants, this does not necessarily pose a health risk. The city has provided contact information for the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline for those who want to learn more about contaminants and potential health effects.
The Lake Rhodhiss Water Treatment Plant uses conventional surface water treatment methods, including chemicals, sedimentation, and filtration. The plant has a water bacteriological certified laboratory and also performs routine tests for various parameters, including pH, chlorine residual, hardness, alkalinity, fluoride, iron, color, and phosphate. The treatment plant's recent updates have improved its capabilities, ensuring that the water provided to the community is safe and meets all regulatory requirements.
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The SWAP Assessment report is available online
The SWAP Assessment Report for Lenoir can be accessed on the Web at www.ncwater.org/?page=600/?, with the system number provided as 0114010. It's important to note that the SWAP results and reports are subject to periodic updates by the PWS Section. Therefore, the results available online may differ from those presented in previously prepared reports.
The report includes comprehensive maps, essential background information, and a relative susceptibility rating of "Higher," "Moderate," or "Lower." These ratings indicate the vulnerability of each drinking water source, such as wells or surface water intakes, to potential contaminant sources (PCSs). The ratings are determined based on expert opinion regarding the relative importance of factors that can impact water quality.
While the presence of contaminants in drinking water does not necessarily pose a health risk, it is important to recognize that certain individuals may be more vulnerable to the effects of these contaminants. Immuno-compromised persons, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, infants, and others with immune system disorders, may be more susceptible to any contaminants present in the water.
The SWAP Assessment Report plays a crucial role in ensuring the protection of drinking water sources and guiding water quality management decisions. By systematically addressing potential contamination issues, the report helps prioritize programs and initiatives focused on providing safe and reliable drinking water to the public. The SWAP plan acts as a "lens" for the state to assess and address contamination concerns effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
The Lower Creek Facility is one of the city's two wastewater treatment plants, the other being the Gunpowder Creek Facility. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has conducted assessments for all drinking water sources across North Carolina. The results of the assessment are available in SWAP Assessment Reports, which include maps, background information, and a relative susceptibility rating of Higher, Moderate, or Lower. While the presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate a health risk, the City of Lenoir encourages residents to be informed about their water utility and provides regular updates on water quality.
The City of Lenoir has not detected any asbestos, pesticides, nitrates, sulfates, cyanide, metals, volatile organic chemicals, or synthetic organic chemicals in the water supply. The city's water treatment plant, the George L. Bernhardt, Sr. Lake Rhodhiss Water Treatment Plant, has never been cited for exceeding a water quality parameter and provides clean potable water for residents.
To learn more about water pollution and the city's efforts to provide clean drinking water, residents can attend the regularly scheduled council meetings held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the City/County chambers (905 West Ave. NW Lenoir, NC at 6:00 pm). Additionally, residents can review the SWAP Assessment Report for the City of Lenoir online at www.ncwater.org/?page=600/? or request a printed copy by contacting the Source Water Assessment Program.
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