Helena Joyce
Water pollution is a pressing issue in North Carolina, with the state ranking first in a category that poses a hazard to soil, air, and water. The state's water bodies face multiple pollution threats, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and sewage. Industrial sources, such as manufacturing facilities, have led to the contamination of drinking water with forever chemicals like PFAS. Agricultural operations, particularly intensive livestock farming, generate vast amounts of manure and wastewater, which contribute to nutrient pollution and algal blooms. Additionally, sewage disposal from boats and inadequate wastewater treatment in cities introduce harmful bacteria, viruses, and chemicals into water sources. These issues highlight the complex challenges North Carolina faces in ensuring clean and safe water for its residents and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution Sources | Hog waste cesspools, industrial waste, agricultural waste, marine sewage, PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, disinfection byproducts, nitrate, arsenic, radioactive contaminants |
| Affected Water Bodies | Cape Fear River, Haw River, Cape Hatteras, Cape Lookout, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system |
| Health Risks | Cancer, liver and kidney damage, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, typhoid, cholera |
| Environmental Risks | Algal blooms, fish kills, dead zones, damage to shellfish populations and other marine life |
| Regulatory Bodies | EPA, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Southern Environmental Law Center |
| Mitigation Efforts | Testing and monitoring, permits and limits on pollutants, lawsuits and settlements, Clean Marina program |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial waste
One of the major issues concerning industrial waste in North Carolina is the contamination of drinking water supplies with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in various industrial processes and products due to their water-repellent and non-stick properties. However, these chemicals are highly persistent in the environment and have been detected in water sources across the state.
Fayetteville Works, a manufacturing facility previously owned by DuPont and now by Chemours, has been a significant source of PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear River since 1980. DuPont used a chemical called PFOA in its Teflon production, which was later replaced by GenX, another PFAS suspected of being equally toxic. This has resulted in high levels of PFAS in the bodies of residents in the Lower Cape Fear region, with health concerns including potential links to cancers and organ damage.
Elevate Textiles, a company that used PFAS in their manufacturing processes, was also found to be a major contributor to PFAS contamination in the city of Burlington's drinking water and wastewater supply. As a result of pressure from local activists, Elevate Textiles agreed to stop discharging PFAS waste into the city's wastewater treatment plant and phase out its production uses of PFAS.
In addition to specific industrial facilities, there are other sources of industrial waste pollution in North Carolina. For example, wastewater sludge from industrial processes, as well as textile manufacturing and firefighting foam used near military facilities and airports, may also contribute to water pollution.
Furthermore, industrial waste from agricultural operations, such as hog waste cesspools, poses a significant threat to water quality in North Carolina. The state has seen a rapid expansion of intensive livestock operations, resulting in a high volume of manure per acre of farmland. Hurricane Florence in 2018 damaged several hog waste cesspools, causing them to discharge waste into local waterways. Similar incidents have occurred during previous hurricanes, highlighting the vulnerability of these operations to severe weather events.
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Hog waste
North Carolina has more tons of manure per acre of farmland than any other state. This is due to the expansion of intensive hog, chicken, and turkey farming operations. In particular, the size of hog operations in the coastal plain grew by over 45% in the ten years ending in 2007. The roughly 10 billion gallons of waste North Carolina's hogs produce each year are kept in unlined cesspools, then sprayed on cropland.
In addition to hurricanes, hog waste lagoons are also susceptible to human error and mechanical failure. For example, in February 2018, a state inspector discovered a "thick foam" of hog waste that had leaked from a hog waste lagoon at White Oak Farms in Fremont, Wayne County. The farm's owners, including a former member of the National Pork Board, had not reported the spill. The lagoon combined manure with unusual ingredients like liquified hog carcasses and discarded hot dogs and deli meat in a slurry to generate methane. The incident resulted in multiple notices of violation from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
Another incident of hog waste lagoon failure occurred in Bladen County, where the Murphy-Brown Farm 7692 released an estimated 30,000 gallons of waste into a nearby creek due to a recirculation pipe failure. Clean-up efforts were initiated by the farm, and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) conducted an investigation.
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Ammonia emissions
In North Carolina, the expansion of intensive livestock farming has led to an increase in manure per acre of farmland. This excess manure is often improperly managed, with hog waste being sprayed on fields or stored in vulnerable cesspools. As a result, North Carolina now faces the challenge of having more tons of manure per acre of farmland than any other state, contributing to water pollution and environmental degradation.
The issue of ammonia emissions from livestock agriculture is not limited to North Carolina. According to studies, livestock agriculture is the largest source of ammonia emissions in the United States. However, North Carolina's unique geographical features exacerbate the problem. Many hog operations are located on the coastal plain, which has porous soil and a high water table, increasing the risk of pollution from manure and ammonia runoff.
To address this issue, some environmental groups have advocated for requiring industrial animal operations to report hazardous emissions, including ammonia. Additionally, there have been efforts to regulate phosphorus levels in soil, as excess phosphorus from manure can contribute to algal blooms and further degrade water quality. These measures aim to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of ammonia emissions from intensive livestock operations in North Carolina.
While ammonia emissions from livestock operations are a significant concern, it is important to note that North Carolina also faces other sources of water pollution. Industrial discharges, including "forever chemicals" such as PFAS, have contaminated drinking water sources and rivers. Additionally, wastewater treatment plants and upstream industrial sources have contributed to the presence of toxic chemicals in the water supply, posing risks to both the environment and human health.
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Sewage
Marine sewage, which includes sewage from boat toilets, can introduce disease-carrying microorganisms into the water. These bacteria and viruses can cause illnesses such as gastroenteritis, hepatitis, typhoid, and cholera, posing risks to swimmers and shellfish consumers. Additionally, sewage decay depletes oxygen levels in the water, creating an oxygen shortage for marine life like fish. Furthermore, sewage often contains high levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can fuel the growth of algal blooms. These blooms block light from reaching underwater plants and, upon decay, further contribute to oxygen depletion, adversely affecting aquatic ecosystems.
North Carolina's sewage challenges are exacerbated by the expansion of intensive livestock operations, particularly hog, chicken, and turkey farms. The state now has more tons of manure per acre of farmland than any other state. For example, the roughly 10 billion gallons of waste produced by North Carolina's hogs each year are stored in unlined cesspools and then sprayed onto cropland. This waste management practice has led to phosphorus pollution and contributed to algal blooms. Additionally, hog waste cesspools are vulnerable to damage during hurricanes, as seen during Hurricane Florence in 2018 when several cesspools ruptured, discharging waste into local waterways.
To address sewage pollution, North Carolina has implemented initiatives like the Clean Marina program, which encourages marinas to proactively protect the environment. Additionally, under pressure from environmental groups, the state has required hog operations to monitor phosphorus levels and refrain from spraying waste on fields when phosphorus pollution risks are high. However, the effectiveness of these measures is contested, and the state continues to face challenges in mitigating sewage-related water pollution and its associated health and environmental risks.
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Algal blooms
North Carolina has been facing severe water pollution problems due to various factors, including industrial waste, hog waste, and algal blooms. While the former two have been discussed extensively, algal blooms also pose a significant threat to the state's water bodies and the health of its residents.
The state has seen an increase in cyanobacteria blooms, which usually appear bright green. As the bloom starts to decay, the color can change to a milky blue. Decaying algae produce a strong, foul odor that can be noticeable over a large area. Dolichospermum, a type of cyanobacteria, has been detected in Lake Norman and can produce microcystins, a harmful algal toxin. While there are no documented reports of illnesses from algal blooms in North Carolina, the potential health risks are significant.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DPH) advises the public to avoid contact with waters affected by algal blooms. They recommend keeping children and pets away from discolored or scummy water and preventing them from swimming or ingesting water with blooms. If accidental contact occurs, thorough washing is advised, and medical attention should be sought if illness or adverse effects are observed.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) is responsible for monitoring and investigating reports of algal blooms and can collect samples to analyze potential health risks. NCDEQ works with local health departments and DPH to determine appropriate responses to public health concerns, including swimming closures, contact advisories, and public notifications.
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Frequently asked questions
North Carolina is the top state in a category that poses a hazard to soil, air, and water. The state has more tons of manure per acre of farmland than any other state due to intensive hog, chicken, and turkey farming. The roughly 10 billion gallons of waste North Carolina's hogs produce each year are kept in unlined cesspools, which can contaminate local waterways during hurricanes.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in various industrial and consumer applications. PFAS chemicals have been detected in North Carolina's drinking water sources, such as the Cape Fear River, and are linked to elevated cancer risks and other health issues.
1,4-dioxane is a man-made chemical that is harmful to humans even at extremely low levels. It has been linked to cancers and liver and kidney damage. The cities of Asheboro, Greensboro, and Reidsville in North Carolina are significant sources of 1,4-dioxane pollution, releasing it into downstream drinking water sources.
Agricultural waste, such as manure and wastewater from concentrated animal feeding operations, can contaminate water sources through runoff and leaching into groundwater. Excess phosphorus from agricultural waste can contribute to algal blooms, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and impact water quality.
Water pollution in North Carolina poses several health risks, including elevated cancer risks and birth defects. Polluted water can contain disinfection byproducts, nitrate, arsenic, and radioactive contaminants, even at levels below EPA drinking water standards. Additionally, marine sewage can introduce disease-carrying microorganisms, leading to diseases such as gastroenteritis, hepatitis, typhoid, and cholera.
