Fayetteville – North Carolina – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC) provides comprehensive water services to over 225,000 residents across the greater Fayetteville metropolitan area, including Hope Mills, Spring Lake, Stedman, and portions of Hoke County. As a community-owned utility established in 1903, PWC operates an extensive distribution system with two advanced water treatment facilities that deliver an average of 21.8 million gallons of safe drinking water daily to North Carolina’s sixth-largest city and surrounding communities.
Fayetteville sources its drinking water from dual sources for enhanced reliability: the Cape Fear River at the P.O. Hoffer Water Treatment Facility and the Little Cross Creek Watershed (including Glenville Lake, Bonnie Doone Lake, Kornbow Lake, and Mintz Pond) at the Glenville Lake Water Treatment Facility. With a combined treatment capacity of 58 million gallons per day, PWC maintains 100% compliance with EPA regulations and has earned the prestigious Partnership for Safe Water Director’s Award for 24 consecutive years – the first utility in North Carolina to achieve this recognition. The utility actively addresses emerging challenges including PFAS contamination, infrastructure modernization, and sustainable water management for future generations.
Fayetteville Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Comprehensive Testing Program: PWC performs over 150,000 water quality tests annually across both treatment facilities and the distribution system, maintaining 100% compliance with EPA regulations in 2024.
- Award-Winning Quality: PWC has earned the Partnership for Safe Water Director’s Award for 24 consecutive years, recognizing exceptional efforts in providing drinking water that meets or exceeds all federal standards.
- Treatment Capacity: The combined facilities processed over 10.6 billion gallons of safe drinking water in 2024, with average daily demand of 21.8 million gallons and peak capacity of 58 million gallons per day.
Water Sources
- P.O. Hoffer Water Treatment Facility: Primary facility drawing from the Cape Fear River with current capacity of 40 MGD, expandable to 96 MGD, utilizing advanced multi-barrier treatment processes.
- Glenville Lake Water Treatment Facility: Secondary facility sourcing from the Little Cross Creek Watershed, including Glenville Lake, Bonnie Doone Lake, Kornbow Lake, and Mintz Pond, with 18 MGD capacity.
- Watershed Protection: Comprehensive management program established in 1990 focusing on reducing pollutant loadings and implementing source water protection measures across both watersheds.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Multi-Barrier Treatment: Both facilities utilize coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, sand and anthracite filtration, chloramination disinfection, and corrosion control to ensure comprehensive water treatment.
- Chloramination System: PWC uses chloramine disinfection instead of free chlorine, providing longer-lasting protection against pathogens while reducing disinfection byproducts throughout the distribution system.
- Activated Carbon Treatment: Powdered activated carbon is added at both facilities to reduce taste and odor compounds, with plans for granular activated carbon systems to address PFAS contamination.
Infrastructure Modernization
- PFAS Treatment Investment: PWC is investing $115.9 million in granular activated carbon filtration systems at both treatment plants, expected to be operational by February 2028 to meet new EPA PFAS standards.
- Smart Water Management: Advanced leak detection systems identified 23,086 customer leaks in 2024, saving nearly 22 million gallons of water and approximately $232,000 in customer costs.
- System Expansion: Ongoing infrastructure improvements include sewer treatment plant expansion, new distribution lines for annexed areas, and enhanced monitoring capabilities throughout the service area.
Customer Protection Initiatives
PWC provides extensive customer support through various conservation and assistance programs, including energy-efficient appliance rebates, leak detection services, and water conservation education. The utility’s proactive leak detection program contacts 30-60 customers daily about potential water leaks, preventing waste and saving money. PWC maintains transparent communication through annual water quality reports and regular updates on emerging contaminants like PFAS. The utility’s investments in cutting-edge treatment technologies, source water protection, and infrastructure modernization demonstrate its commitment to providing safe, reliable drinking water while addressing current challenges including population growth, emerging contaminants, and maintaining award-winning service standards.
Recommendations for Fayetteville Residents
Monitor Your Usage
Take advantage of PWC’s automated leak detection program. Contact PWC at 910-483-1382 if you notice unusual increases in your water bill. PWC’s system detects leaks and contacts customers proactively to prevent water waste and costly bills.
Follow Watering Guidelines
Adhere to PWC’s Odd/Even/Odd irrigation schedule for sprinkler systems. Houses with odd-numbered addresses water on odd-numbered days, even addresses on even days. Hand watering and car washing are allowed anytime.
Consider PFAS Filtration
While PWC is installing advanced PFAS treatment systems by 2028, residents concerned about current PFAS levels may consider NSF-certified carbon filters (Standard 53) for drinking and cooking water as an interim measure.
Utilize Efficiency Programs
Participate in PWC’s energy and water efficiency programs offering rebates for efficient appliances, HVAC systems, and water heaters. In 2023-2025, customers received over $69,000 in billing credits for participating in these conservation programs.
Report Issues Promptly
Contact PWC immediately at 910-483-1382 for water quality concerns, leaks, or service issues. Report unusual taste, odor, or discoloration promptly. PWC maintains 24/7 emergency response for water system problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fayetteville’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Fayetteville’s tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. PWC maintains 100% compliance with EPA regulations and has earned the Partnership for Safe Water Director’s Award for 24 consecutive years.
The water undergoes comprehensive treatment at two advanced facilities using multi-barrier processes including coagulation, filtration, and chloramination disinfection. PWC performs over 150,000 water quality tests annually to ensure safety. The utility has been recognized as the first in North Carolina to achieve the prestigious Partnership for Safe Water award, demonstrating its exceptional commitment to water quality that exceeds minimum regulatory requirements.
What is PWC doing about PFAS contamination?
PWC is proactively addressing PFAS (forever chemicals) through a comprehensive $115.9 million investment in advanced treatment systems:
• Treatment Timeline: New granular activated carbon filtration systems will be operational by February 2028 at both treatment plants
• Current Monitoring: Quarterly PFAS testing with results published on PWC’s website since 2019
• Compliance Status: While some PFAS levels currently exceed new EPA limits of 4 ppt, utilities have until 2031 to meet these standards
• Source Protection: PWC advocates with regulatory agencies to reduce PFAS discharge into the Cape Fear River upstream of water intakes
PWC has been testing and monitoring PFAS long before EPA regulations were finalized, demonstrating proactive commitment to water safety.
Why does PWC use chloramine instead of chlorine?
PWC switched to chloramination in 2003 for several important reasons:
• Longer-lasting protection: Chloramine provides more stable disinfection throughout the distribution system compared to free chlorine
• Reduced byproducts: Chloramination produces fewer potentially harmful disinfection byproducts than traditional chlorination
• Taste and odor: Chloramine typically produces less chlorine taste and odor compared to free chlorine disinfection
• Pathogen effectiveness: Chloramine effectively inactivates bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens including COVID-19
Chloraminated water is perfectly safe for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Special precautions are only needed for kidney dialysis patients and fish tank owners, who should contact PWC for specific guidance.
What are the current water restrictions in Fayetteville?
Fayetteville operates under the Odd/Even/Odd irrigation conservation program:
Sprinkler Systems Only:
• Odd-numbered addresses: Water on odd-numbered days of the month
• Even-numbered addresses: Water on even-numbered days of the month
Unrestricted Activities:
• Hand watering plants and gardens anytime
• Car washing and pressure washing anytime
• Filling swimming pools (though conservation is encouraged)
Customers can request separate irrigation meters for more efficient lawn watering billing. Visit faypwc.com or call 910-483-1382 for more information about conservation programs and irrigation meter installations.
Contaminants of Concern
PFAS Compounds
Source: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from industrial manufacturing and consumer products entering the Cape Fear River watershed upstream of Fayetteville’s water intakes
Health Effects: Research suggests potential impacts on immune system, thyroid function, cholesterol levels, and possible links to certain cancers; known as “forever chemicals” due to persistence in environment
Current Levels: 2024 quarterly testing shows running averages of 5.15-11.03 ppt at Hoffer plant and 4.34-20.18 ppt at Glenville Lake plant EPA Limits: New 4 ppt standard for PFOA and PFOS must be met by 2031; PWC installing $115.9M treatment systems by 2028
1,4-Dioxane
Source: Industrial solvent entering the Cape Fear River from upstream wastewater treatment plants and manufacturing facilities
Health Effects: EPA identifies exposure risks to liver function and potential cancer risk factor; classified as probable human carcinogen
Current Status: 2024 testing at Hoffer plant showed levels of 0.12-0.37 micrograms per liter in 4 months, with 8 months below detection limits, well under EPA advisory of 35 micrograms per liter EPA Limits: Currently unregulated but EPA health advisory suggests 35 micrograms per liter limit
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