How Does Raleigh Water Quality Compare to EPA Standards?

Where Does Raleigh, NC’s Drinking Water Come From?

Raleigh, NC’s drinking water comes from two lakes: Falls Lake and Lake Benson. The city has two water treatment plants that test and treat the water before distributing it to consumers. According to its annual water quality report (also known as a Consumer Confidence Report), it meets the water quality standards of the EPA. 

Raleigh Water (https://raleighnc.gov/water) serves residents of Raleigh, Garner, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Knightdale, Wendell, and Zebulon. Other cities in the area, such as Durham, NC, have their own municipal water systems, and over 90,000 residents of Wake County get their water from 40,000 private wells.

How Is Raleigh’s Drinking Water Treated?

Raleigh Water maintains two drinking water treatment plants: 

●      The E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant treats an average of 41 million gallons per day from Falls Lake

●      The Dempsey E. Benton Water Treatment Plant treats around 10 million gallons per day from Lake Benson 

Raleigh’s water treatment process includes: 

●      Adding ozone to kill germs, viruses, and bacteria

●      Using ferric sulfate (a coagulant) that causes small particles to clump together

●      Filtering the water through a two-stage gravity filtration system

●      Disinfecting the water with UV light and chloramines 

The City of Raleigh also operates three wastewater treatment plants that process wastewater so it can be safely released into the Neuse River. 

Residents who want to learn more about how their water is treated can take a tour of Raleigh’s water and wastewater treatment plants for free.

How Does Raleigh Protect Its Water Sources?

Since Raleigh’s drinking water comes from surface water sources, it’s susceptible to contamination from animals, naturally occurring minerals, and agricultural activity. The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) rates both lakes as having a Higher susceptibility rating than comparable surface and groundwater resources. 

The City of Raleigh has a Watershed Protection Program that includes conservation activities such as “streambank restoration, reforestation, [and] removal of abandoned animal waste lagoons.” This project is funded by Raleigh Water customers, who pay 15 cents per 1,000 gallons of water, or about 60 cents per month. 

Wake County also has a source water protection plan called the “One Water Plan,” which is focused on maintaining safe drinking water supplies through “wastewater treatment, stormwater and flood management, and groundwater protection.”

How Often Is Raleigh Water Quality Tested?

Raleigh’s water quality is tested “between 6,000 and 7,000 times per month for many substances such as trace metals, petroleum products, pesticides, and bacteria.” 

Raleigh Water releases an annual water quality report (as required by law), and also posts monthly water quality reports on their website, with information like the water temperature, pH, total hardness levels, and total coliform bacteria. 

They even have a Home Brewer’s Corner where local brewers can monitor sodium, magnesium, fluoride, and other contents that can affect the taste of beer.

Why Should You Check Your Local Water Quality Report?

It’s important to know what’s in your tap water for several reasons. The first is a matter of public health. Although American water systems are required to meet safe drinking water standards, you may want to take a more cautious approach, especially if you’re immunocompromised and at greater risk of waterborne disease. 

Another reason is to know if your water is hard or soft or contains high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), such as inorganic salts. Although these qualities don’t determine whether or not Raleigh tap water is safe to drink, it can affect the taste of your water and make a difference when brewing, cooking, or baking. 

You can enter your ZIP code here to download your local water quality report.

Why Does Raleigh Tap Water Smell Musty?

Some Raleigh residents may notice an “earthy” or “musty” smell from their tap water, especially during certain times of year. According to Raleigh Water, this is caused by “seasonal variations in environmental conditions,” such as “fluctuations in naturally occurring algae and algal activity.” 

Raleigh Water explains that this is “purely an aesthetic issue” and that the water is still safe to drink. When this happens, they use ozone and activated carbon to reduce the smell, but it can take a while for it to have an impact on the distribution system. 

If the taste and smell of the water is bothering you, you can install your own activated carbon filter at home to reduce concentrations of odor-causing compounds.

Which Contaminants Are Found in Raleigh’s Tap Water?

Based on the latest water quality report, what do residents need to know about Raleigh water quality? Although its tap water meets national safe drinking water standards and EPA guidelines, it contains high levels of the following five contaminants.

Chromium-6 (hexavalent)

Chromium-6 is a carcinogenic chemical that can be harmful even in small doses. The EPA doesn’t have a legal limit for chromium-6, but the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit, recommends an upper limit of 0.02 parts per billion (ppb). 

Raleigh’s tap water exceeds this limit by 2.8 times: 

●      EPA maximum allowance: No legal limit

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.02 ppb

●      Raleigh maximum contaminant level: 0.0560 ppb

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)

HAA9 refers to a group of nine haloacetic acids that are formed during the disinfection process. Raleigh’s HAA9 levels are 332 times higher than the EWG’s recommended limit, which is based on a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk: 

●      EPA maximum allowance: No legal limit

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.06 ppb

●      Raleigh maximum contaminant level: 19.9 ppb

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a forever chemical found in some consumer goods like non-stick cookware. Along with PFOS and other forms of PFAS, PFOA can pollute local water sources and increase the risk of cancer and other health effects.
Although Raleigh's PFOA levels are below the EPA’s proposed limit of 4 parts per trillion (ppt), they exceed the EWG’s recommendation by 49 times: 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 4 ppt (proposed limit)

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.007 ppt

●      Raleigh maximum contaminant level: 0.344 ppt

Radium

Radium is a naturally occurring element that, like other radioactive elements, can cause cancer with long-term exposure. Raleigh’s radium levels are within the EPA’s allowance of 5 picocuries per liter, but 10 times higher than the EWG’s recommended limit: 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 5 pCi/L

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.05 pCi/L

●      Raleigh maximum detected level: 0.50 pCi/L

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Trihalomethanes are another type of disinfection byproduct that arises during the water treatment process. Measured as total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), these cancer-causing chemicals are found in Raleigh’s tap water at 188 times the EWG’s guidelines: 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 80 ppb

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.15 ppb

●      Raleigh maximum contaminant level: 28.3 ppb

Can Home Water Filters Improve Raleigh Water Quality?

Raleigh’s tap water goes through a water filtration process before it’s delivered to your tap, but installing a home water filter can remove additional contaminants and improve its taste. Activated carbon filters are effective at removing disinfection byproducts like trihalomethanes, while reverse osmosis filters can help you remove PFAS. 

To choose the right water filter for you, check your local water quality report to find out what contaminants you need to remove. Then, look for a filter with a NSF/ANSI rating that’s designed to remove those unwanted contaminants. 

You can either install your filter where you use it most — such as in your refrigerator or under the sink — or choose a whole home water filter for maximum benefits.

Does Raleigh’s Tap Water Contain Lead?

Raleigh’s tap water has a lower risk of lead contamination than many American cities due to its modern distribution system. As of 2023, Raleigh Water [1] is “not aware of any lead service lines in the water system, although there are some service lines that are made of galvanized iron with lead components.” 

Raleigh Water takes corrosion control measures to reduce the risk of lead exposure and monitors at least 110 homes for lead every three years. 

Still, houses built before 1970 or plumbed between 1962 and 1986 could have lead pipes or fixtures. Customers can request a free lead test kit here, or by contacting 919-996-4H20 (4420) or watersamples@raleighnc.gov.

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Is Raleigh’s Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Raleigh, NC’s water is considered safe to drink according to national standards, and it ranks highly compared to other parts of the state. However, since its tap water comes from surface water sources, Raleigh’s water quality can vary from time to time, and it may smell “earthy” or “musty” or contain unwanted contaminants. 

Raleigh residents can check their local water quality report online or test their tap water themselves. Then, install a filter like the EZChange 2-Stage Under Counter Under Sink Water Filter to improve the taste and quality of your tap water.

Brought to you by homewater.com

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