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Is Greensboro Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 25, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Greensboro?

Yes, Greensboro's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Greensboro has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Greensboro's water utility, City of Greensboro, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Greensboro was resolved on Dec. 31, 2014. This assessment is based on the City of Greensboro water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Greensboro Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Greensboro tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Greensboro's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Greensboro Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named City of Greensboro for Greensboro in North Carolina. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

For the compliance period beginning May 11, 2017, Greensboro had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Reporting Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Report Sample Result/Fail Monitor (RTCR) which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Total Coliform Rules rule code family for the following contaminant code: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

From Jan. 1, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2014, Greensboro had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Regular which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Synthetic Organic Chemicals rule code family for the following contaminant code: Pentachlorophenol.

Is there Lead in Greensboro Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Greensboro water system, City of Greensboro, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0 mg/L of lead in Greensboro water. This is 0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Greensboro contained more lead.

While Greensboro water testing may have found 0.0 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Greensboro Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Tarheel Army Missile Plant - near Greensboro with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Greensboro has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Greensboro SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
05/11/2017 - Resolved No Reporting Violation (RPT) Report Sample Result/Fail Monitor (RTCR) (4B) Revised Total Coliform Rule (111) Revised Total Coliform Rule (8000) Microbials (100) Total Coliform Rules (110)
01/01/2014 - 12/31/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Pentachlorophenol (2326) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Greensboro Water - Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I CONTACT GREENSBORO CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Greensboro water provider, City of Greensboro, please use the information below.
By Mail: 2602 S. ELM EUGENE ST
GREENSBORO, NC, 27406
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR CITY OF GREENSBORO
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their City of Greensboro account to pay their Greensboro water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your City of Greensboro bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Greensboro water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Greensboro water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP GREENSBORO WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Greensboro means you will often need to put the water in your name with City of Greensboro. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Greensboro means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with City of Greensboro. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

Is Greensboro Tap Water Safe to Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$2.17 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Greensboro tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 25% Low
  • Water Pollution 31% Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 75% High
  • Water Quality 69% High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Greensboro, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Greensboro Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Greensboro's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

2020 Annual Drinking Water Quality -

Consumer Confidence Report

Water System Number 02-41-010

The City’s Water Resources Department is proud to report that our drinking water is safe and meets or surpasses all state and federal Environment Protection Agency (EPA) standards.

GREENSBORO’S WATER SOURCES

The City of Greensboro has three surface water sources: Lake Higgins, Lake Brandt, and Lake Townsend. These lakes are located in northern Guilford County in the upper Cape Fear River Basin within a protected watershed. When full, Greensboro’s three water reservoirs hold about eight billion gallons of water. Water from Lake Brandt is treated at the Mitchell Water Treatment Plant and water from Lake Townsend is treated at the Townsend Water Treatment Plant. Lake Higgins is used to refill Lake Brandt as needed.

Greensboro’s water system served approximately 318,529 people with an average daily water demand of 31.6 million gallons per day in 2020. During 2020 the City of Greensboro purchased water from Burlington, Reidsville, Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority, and Winston-Salem. Water Quality Reports from these systems can be found by visiting greensboro-nc.gov/watersystem or by contacting:

City of Burlington

336-222-5133

City of Reidsville

336-349-1070

Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority

336-498-5510

City of Winston-Salem

336-945-1179

WHAT EPA WANTS YOU TO KNOW

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. Guidelines from the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791.

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Greensboro is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in residential plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead

in your water, the City provides lead testing. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at epa.gov/safewater/lead.

UNDERSTANDING CONTAMINANTS LISTED IN THE REPORT

All sources of drinking water, including tap and bottled, involve water that travels over a surface of the land or through the ground. The water dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and in some cases radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in untreated source water include:

Microbial - viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife;

Inorganic - salts and metals, which can be naturally- occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming;

Pesticides and herbicides - may come from urban stormwater runoff, residential uses and agricultural uses;

Organic chemicals - synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems;

Radioactive - can be naturally-occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants

in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water to provide the same protection for public health.

2020 DRINKING WATER QUALITY TEST RESULTS

Approximately 120 contaminants are regularly monitored in your drinking water according to federal and state regulations to ensure the production of high quality water. This table lists all substances that were detected during the 2020 calendar year. All substances were below regulatory limits. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that your drinking water poses a health risk. For a more complete list of substances that were analyzed in 2020, please visit our website at greensboro-nc.gov/water or call 336-373-7527.

MONITORED LEAVING THE TREATMENT PLANT

SUBSTANCE

 

HIGHEST

PUBLIC

 

 

 

 

POTENTIAL SOURCE

UNIT

ALLOWED BY EPA

HEALTH GOAL

AVERAGE

RANGE

OR CHARACTERISTIC

OF SUBSTANCE

 

MCL

MCLG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alkalinity, total

mg/L

T 27

M 31

T 16-51

M 18-47

Calcium

mg/L

T 11

M 10

T 3-16

M 7-15

Natural deposits and the treatment process

Chloramines

mg/L

4.0 MRDL

4.0 MRDLG

T 2.66

M 2.80

T 1.6-3.5 M 0.7-3.2

Water additive used to control microbes

Chloride

mg/L

Regulated

SMCL: 250

T 10

M 10

T 5-18

M 4-20

Natural deposits and the treatment process

Chlorine, Total

mg/L

4.0 MRDL

4.0 MRDLG

T 2.9 M 3.0

T 1.9-3.4 M 2.1-3.5

Water additive used to control microbes

Color

CU

Regulated

SMCL: 15

T 2

M 1

T <1-17 M <1-6

Fluoride

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits; water additive

mg/L

4.0

SMCL: 2.0

T 0.75 M 0.10

T 0.1-0.92 M 0.01-0.15

which promotes strong teeth; discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from fertilizer and aluminum factories

Hardness, Total 1

mg/L

Not Regulated

T 50 M 44

T 5-81 M 5-76

Natural deposits and the treatment process

Magnesium

mg/L

T 2.0

M 2.1

T 1.3-2.9 M 1.3-2.9

Natural deposits and the treatment process

Manganese

mg/L

Regulated

SMCL: 0.05 T <0.01 ND M <0.01 ND

T < 0.01 ND-0.03 M <0.01 ND-0.02

Natural deposits and the treatment process

pH

SU

Regulated

SMCL: 6.5-8.5

N/A

T 6.9-8.7

M 7.2-8.6

Phosphorus, Total

mg/L

Not Regulated

T 2.51

M 2.42

T 1.28-3.62

M 1.61-3.49

Fertilizer runoff, corrosion control treatment

Potassium

mg/L

T 2

M 2

T 1.8-2.8

M 1.8-3.3

Natural deposits and the treatment process

Sodium

mg/L

Not Regulated

T 12

M 20

T 4-22

M 1-27

Natural deposits and the treatment process

Specific Conductance

µmho/cm

T 184

M 196

T 65-376 M 100-293

Sulfate

mg/L

Regulated

SMCL: 250

T 36

M 49

T 13-57 M 37-71

Natural deposits and the treatment process

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

mg/L

Regulated

SMCL: 500

T 104

M 124

T 57-130 M 73-150

Natural deposits and the treatment process

Turbidity 2

NTU

TT

T 0.06

M 0.06

T 0.01-0.18 M 0.01-0.22

Soil runoff

DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCT PRECURSORS

Total Organic Carbon 3

Removal Ratio

TT

N/A

RAA T 50 M 56

T 39-57 M 48-64

Naturally present in the environment

REVISED TOTAL COLIFORM RULE: MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Chlorine, Total4

mg/L

4.0 MRDL

4.0 MRDLG

0.1

0.02-3.11

Water additive used to control microbes

Total Coliform Bacteria 5

Presence/

TT5

N/A

1.24% 5

N/A

Naturally present in the environment

Absence

 

 

 

 

 

 

e. Coli 6

Presence/

0

0

0

0

Human and animal fecal waste

Absence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEAD AND COPPER CONTAMINANTS

 

Lead 7

Copper 7

mg/L

.015 AL

0

98.18% of homes were below AL

<0.003 ND

Corrosion of household plumbing

90th percentile = < 0.003 ND

 

 

 

 

 

mg/L

1.30 AL

1.30

100% of homes were below AL

<0.05 ND-0.08

Corrosion of household plumbing

90th percentile = 0.06

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Considered to be moderately soft (USGS standards established in 1962).
  2. 99.9% of monthly samples were <0.30. The EPA requirement is 95%. Combined filtered effluent used for compliance.
  3. Compliance based on 35% and 45% removal of Total Organic Carbon; compliance method step 1 and alternate compliance criteria 4.
  4. Tested at each bacteriological sample site. There were 1915 samples tested in 2020.
  5. If a system collecting 40 or more samples per month finds greater than 5% of monthly samples are positive in one month, an assessment is required. (Two of 161 monthly samples were present for total coliform.)
  6. Routine and repeat samples are total coliform-positive and either is E. coli positive or system fails to take repeat samples following E. coli-positive routine sample or system fails to analyze total coliform-positive repeat sample for E. coli.
  7. A minimum of 50 at-risk homes were tested from June 1 to September 30, 2018 by a state certified lab for lead and copper; all consumer complaints were tested for lead and copper by the Water Resources lab. The next round of compliance sampling will be done in 2021.
  8. Some people who drink water containing Trihalomethanes (TTHM) in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have increased risk for getting cancer. MCL = 80 µg/L.
  9. Some people who drink water containing Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk for getting cancer. MCL = 60 µg/L.

STAGE 2 DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS COMPLIANCE

Based upon Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA)

LOCATION

HIGHEST TTHM8 LRAA

HIGHEST HAA59 LRAA

AND RANGE (µg/L)

AND RANGE (µg/L)

 

MCL - 80 µg/L • MCLG - 0 µg/L

MCL - 60 µg/L • MCLG - 0 µg/L

B01

56 (42-62)

41 (24-55)

B02

54 (37-63)

41 (24-59)

B03

49 (34-60)

35 (23-48)

B04

39 (27-42)

20 (15-25)

B05

36 (25-41)

20 (15-21)

B06

56 (40-63)

48 (24-45)

B07

33 (25-32)

19 (16-23)

B08

59 (43-67)

48 (31-57)

B09

31 (24-32)

20 (18-21)

B10

64 (33-77)

47 (23-67)

B11

52 (37-65)

43 (32-51)

B12

70 (35-89)

50 (24-80)

2020 UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS

Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to assist EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulations are warranted. Data results of samples taken in 2020 are listed in the table below.

2020 UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT TABLE

CONTAMINANT

UNIT

TOWNSEND (FINISHED)

MITCHELL

DISTRIBUTION

(FINISHED)

 

 

 

 

1,4-Dioxane

µg/L

<0.2 ND

<0.2 ND

<0.2 ND-1.06

Chlorate

µg/L

53-240

90-390

<5 ND-330

Chromium (VI)

µg/L

<0.02 ND-0.16

<0.02 ND-0.10

0.02-0.24

Other PFAS

ng/L

<2 ND-8.43

<2 ND-6.53

<2 ND-9.36

PFOA

ng/L

2.2-3.3

2.4-4.2

<2 ND-5.2

PFOS

ng/L

11-19

15-28

2.36-18.6

 

 

 

 

 

UCMR4 DETECTED CONTAMINANTS

ANALYTE

METHOD

UNITS

TOWNSEND

MITCHELL

DISTRIBUTION

RANGE

RANGE

RANGE

 

 

 

Manganese

200.8

µg/L

<0.4 ND-2.95

<0.4 ND-2.42

-

Haloacetic acids (9)

552.3

µg/L

-

-

<2 ND-91.5

Source Water TOC

5310C

µg/L

3540-4510

3060-4810

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: All other UCMR4 analytes not detected -ND.

TOWNSEND AND MITCHELL FINISHED WATER

CONTAMINANT (UNITS)

SAMPLE

MCL VIOLATION

YOUR

MCLG

MCL

LIKELY SOURCE OF

DATE

YES OR NO?

WATER

CONTAMINATION

 

 

 

Alpha emitters

6/16/2020

N

< 3 ND

0

15

Erosion of

(pCi/L)

natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

Combined radium

6/16/2020

N

< 1 ND

0

5

Erosion of

(pCi/L)

natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

Uranium

6/16/2020

N

< 2 ND

0

20.1

Erosion of

(pCi/L)

natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Combined plant info due to ND.

KEY ABBREVIATIONS

USED IN THE TABLES

<: Less than symbol; below the detection limit of the instrument

AL: Action Level; the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow

CU: Color Units

HAA5: Haloacetic acids; a group of disinfection byproducts that form when chlorine compounds that are used to disinfect water react with other naturally occurring chemicals in the water

LRAA: Locational Running Annual Average; The average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar quarters under the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproduct Rule

M: Mitchell Water Plant; located in central Greensboro, with source water supplied by Lake Brandt

MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level; the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. A person would have to drink 2 liters of water every day at the MCL level for a lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of it affecting their health.

MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal; the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health; MCLGs allow for a margin of safety

MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal; the level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

N/A: Not Applicable; information not applicable/not required for the water system or for that particular regulation

µg/L: Micrograms per Liter; equivalent to parts per billion (ppb); corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000

μmho/cm: Micromhos per Centimeter; unit of measurement for conductivity

mg/L: Milligrams per Liter; equivalent to parts per million (ppm); corresponds to one minute in two years, or a single penny in $10,000

ng/L: Nanograms per Liter; equivalent to parts per trillion (ppt); corresponds to one minute in 2,000,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000,000

ND: Non-Detects; laboratory analysis indicates that the contaminant is not present at the level of detection set for the particular methodology used

NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit; a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.

pCi/L: Picocuries per Liter, a measure of the radioactivity in water

PFOA: Perfluorooctanoic acid, health advisory - 70 ng/L alone or in combination with

PFOS

PFOS: Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, health advisory - 70 ng/L alone or in combination with PFOA.

Other PFAS: Perfluorinated Compounds including Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and Perfluorohex - anesulfonic acid (PFHxS)

ppb: Parts per billion; equivalent to Micrograms per liter (µg/L); corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000

ppm: Parts per million; equivalent to Milligrams per liter (mg/L); corresponds to one minute in two years, or a single penny in $10,000

ppt: Parts per trillion; equivalent to Nanograms per liter (ng/L); corresponds to one minute in 2,000,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000,000

RAA: Running Annual Average based on four quarters

SMCL: Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level; non-enforceable guidelines for drinking water due to aesthetic considerations such as taste, color and odor. These substances are not considered a risk to human health at the established levels.

SU: Standard Units

T: Townsend Water Plant; located northeast of Greensboro, with source water supplied by Lake Townsend

TOC: Total Organic Carbon; a combined filtered effluent used for compliance

TT: Treatment Technique; a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water

TTHM: Total Trihalomethanes; a group of disinfection byproducts that form when chlorine compounds that are used to disinfect water react with other naturally occurring chemicals in the water

SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (SWAP) RESULTS

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), Public Water Supply (PWS) Section, Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) conducted assessments for all drinking water sources across the state. The purpose of the assessments was to determine the susceptibility of each drinking water source (well or surface water intake) to Potential Contaminant Sources (PCSs). The results of the assessment are available in SWAP Assessment Reports that include maps, background information, and a relative susceptibility rating of Higher, Moderate, or Lower. The relative susceptibility rating of each source for the City of Greensboro was determined by combining the contaminant rating (number and location of PCSs within the assessment area) and the inherent vulnerability rating (i.e., characteristics or existing conditions of the well or watershed and its delineated assessment area). The assessment findings are summarized below.

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF SOURCES TO POTENTIAL

CONTAMINANT SOURCES (PCSS)

 

Susceptibility

SWAP

Source Name

Rating

Report Date

Lake Brandt

Higher

September 9, 2020

Lake Townsend

Higher

September 9, 2020

It is important to understand that a susceptibility rating of “higher” does not imply poor water quality, only the system’s potential to become contaminated by PCSs in the assessment area.

The complete SWAP assessment report for the City of Greensboro may be viewed at ncwater.org/?page=600. Please note that because SWAP results and reports are periodically updated by the PWS Section, the results available on this website may differ from the results that were available at the time this Drinking Water Quality Report was prepared. To obtain a printed copy of the SWAP report, please mail a written request to:

Source Water Assessment Program – Report Request

1634 Mail Service Center

Raleigh NC 27699-1634

Please indicate the system name (City of Greensboro), Water System Number (02-41-010), and provide your name, mailing address and phone number. If you have any questions about the SWAP report please contact the Source Water Assessment staff by phone at 919-707-9098 or by email at swap@ncdenr.gov.

FYI

Public comments are welcome at the Greensboro City Council meetings, held at 5:30 pm on the first Tuesday of each month in the Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 W. Washington St. If you have any questions about this report or concerns about your Greensboro City water quality, please contact the Water Quality Laboratory at 336-373-7527.

For questions about your water bill or your meter, please call 336-373-CITY (2489).

If you have well water and have questions about your water quality, contact Guilford County Environmental Health Department at 336-641-7613.

To learn more about Water Resources, visit greensboro-nc.gov/water.

To report water main breaks, sanitary sewer backups, sewer overflows, or other system maintenance concerns, please call the Water Resources Dispatch Office at 336-373-2033.

For more drinking water information, visit EPA’s website at water.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations.

En Español - Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. Para la versión en español de este informe, visite la siguiente página web: greensboro-nc.gov/CCRSP o llame al 336-373-CITY (2489).

Contaminants


City of Greensboro

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 277080
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Surface water
  • Total: 17

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • Dichloroacetic acid
  • Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
  • Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
  • Trichloroacetic acid

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Chlorate
  • Dibromoacetic acid
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Monobromoacetic acid
  • Monochloroacetic acid
  • Strontium
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Greensboro Tap Water

If you live in Greensboro, North Carolina, and have not yet switched to a filtered tap water system, you are wasting money and harming your health. The bad news is that chlorine continues to be added to our water supplies no matter what the government or utility companies tell us. In fact, recent testing by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that traces of chlorine reached up to 3.5 parts per million in some samples across the country. Even at that high concentration, however, it would still be far less than bottled water. So why do we continue to put toxins in our bodies when we can filter out the chemicals before they do us harm?

It’s really quite simple: convenience. As simple as it might sound, there are still a number of convenience factors that contribute to the lack of purity in tap water in Greensboro, NC. For example, unlabeled water can be a threat since some people do not know exactly how much chlorine their water contains. In addition, many people carry bottled water, which can be a danger since the water may contain more chlorine than the label indicates. While it’s true that bottled water has its benefits, it should always be consumed through a filter of some kind, whether it’s a filtered water bottle or a water dispenser.

For these reasons alone, it’s important to switch to a filter for your home. But switching to a filtered water system in Greensboro, NC won’t hurt you and your family’s health. It will simply ensure that you get only clean water for your body and that you don’t become sick from unsafe tap water. Plus, you’ll likely find that when you compare the taste of purified water with the taste of tap water from your municipality that it’s a no-brainer that filtered water tastes better. So start your search today, and when you do you’ll be ready to enjoy a tastier glass of water in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Greensboro Drinking Water

If you live in Greensboro, North Carolina and you are having problems with your tap water then you may have to do something about it. Chlorine is one of the most common causes of bad breath. It can be found in everything from the pool water and lakes to the water that you drink. If you want to avoid the risk of bad breath then by getting a water purifier you will be much safer.

There are many different types of purifiers for water and you should find one that suits your needs. The most effective of all purifiers for drinking water is called a multi-stage selective filtration device. This device uses several filters, like carbon, activated alumina, granular carbon, ion exchange, and a soil bed filter to clean your water. By using all these different filters you will get only the purest water possible.

The best way to avoid chlorination from harming you is to get a water purifier. You should always check with your local water provider if they use chlorination to clean their water. If they don’t then you will have to find another provider.

Greensboro Water

If you’ve never heard of Greensboro Water, it’s the name of a small city located in the northeastern part of North Carolina. It is named after a Revolutionary War hero by the same name, Greensboro was established as a town that served as an important military post during the American Civil War. Although not particularly rich in local amenities, the city has quite a bit to offer. In addition to a beautiful historic center, the place is home to three major water treatment facilities: the New River Protection Fund, the Greensboro Water Treatment and Incinerator Plant, and the Associated Lime Companies Incinerator.

There are quite a few good reasons to have a water purifier in your home. In addition to eliminating harmful chemicals in the water supply, water purifiers remove chlorine, lead, cysts, bacteria, parasites, Giardia, and other types of harmful microorganisms. Not only that, but a water purifier will also improve the taste and quality of your drinking water. Not only that, it reduces or eliminates the need for harsh soaps and cleansers. In short, you will find yourself buying a product that is good for you, your family, and the environment.

Unfortunately, many cities and towns are not equipped to treat all of the water coming into their facilities and so a home purifier becomes essential for ensuring that your tap water is safe. The Greensboro Water Purification System is one of the best on the market and works wonders at purifying the water you drink, shower with, and bathe in. It eliminates the need for harsh chemicals and gets rid of harmful bacteria, cysts, viruses, parasites, and other harmful organisms that threaten your health.

Greensboro Water Treatment

Greensboro Water Treatment Plant is a major player in the region of North Carolina, home to the largest concentration of treatment facilities in the entire nation. This highly efficient plant processes both residential and commercial wastewater and treats more than two million gallons of water daily. It is among the leading water treatment plants in the state and among the first to be certified by an independent water quality commission. If you live in this area or are considering investing in a facility for your business or home, you will want to take a close look at the Greensboro Water Treatment Plant. Here are some of the reasons why it is a good choice for you:

In addition to the comprehensive set of services, the treatment facility provides another critical service that cannot be overlooked. That service is providing the public with a drinking water supply that is approved for drinking purposes under the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The facility also meets all federal and state regulations for the removal and replacement of chromium, lead, and other dangerous contaminants. All of these services put Greensboro Water Treatment Plant at the forefront of the cleanest, municipal water available in the United States. The treatment and drinking water systems that the facility provides are also among the most advanced and offer the best filtering system to remove chlorine, lead, and other hazardous contaminants from the water supply.

While not exactly a tourist attraction, this public facility does have a visitor’s center that offers information on its water treatment facilities and history. There are also several restaurants and hotels within walking distance, including one which serves a famous fish fry! Whether you are looking for an excellent water purification system or a good meal, you won’t be disappointed with what Greensboro Water Treatment Plant has to offer.

Greensboro Water Quality

Greensboro Water Quality is an essential part of owning a home in North Carolina. Without a good water supply, your family can become ill and even die. Luckily, the people of Greensboro are highly skilled at managing the water supply they have. A major component of their success is that they work closely with the citizens of Greensboro to monitor the quality of the water coming into the city. If you want to know what kind of water your local supply has, then the best way to go about finding out is by talking to your local water company.

A trustworthy company will be able to give you detailed information on the contaminants in your water. They should also be able to tell you what steps you need to take if you suspect that you may have an issue with your water. Some of the things that are looked for when testing is done include nitrates, phosphates, and nitrates combined with organic matter such as pesticides. These are all indicators of a possible water quality problem and should be taken care of immediately.

Once you have determined that you have an issue with your water, you should start looking for a quality provider. It is important to remember that most of these companies offer warranties on their work so that if they do not fix the issue you will be able to get your money back. This is a great way to get someone to look into your water system because it is too late to make changes once the damage is done.

Greensboro Water Supply

The Greensboro water supply is not located in your city. If you live outside of Greensboro, you will have to find another place to get this important water supply. This is very true because there are several other places that you can find this water except for your city. If you are going to use a tank-less hot tub, then you are going to need some type of water source besides your city. However, the good news is that there are a number of different options that you will have in this case.

One thing you will need to consider if you are trying to conserve the amount of water that you use is whether or not you are going to use a rain barrel. If you do not want to use one of these devices, you can find many other alternatives that you can use as long as you have access to a faucet. These faucets are found in many homes that are designed to work with a pitcher type of system. You will find that this is an easy and simple way to use your home water supply when it is turned on full.

When you are looking to use a system with a rain barrel attached, you will find that this can be more effective than if you just hook a faucet to your home. In many cases, you will find that you do not have to have the water come out of a nozzle or drip trays. Instead, you can simply hold the pitcher where you want it to be and use it like any other type of faucet. This makes it easier to use and does not require you to drill any holes into your home.

Greensboro Surface Water

If you own a piece of property in Greensboro, NC and you are concerned about possible contamination of its groundwater, it is important to perform quality water quality testing on your property. When testing for levels of specific contaminants, be sure to check not only the source of the water (i.e. your main water line) but also the treatment facility that processes the treated water, as this could mean the difference between safe and unsafe drinking water.

There are several types of surface water quality testing that can be performed on any home. One type of test commonly performed by homeowners is ultraviolet (UV) water quality testing. This type of test measures the amount of the different chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates, in the water. While it is relatively effective at determining the levels of these VOCs in the water, it cannot determine what percentage of the VOCs are currently in the groundwater and therefore cannot determine whether or not the water contains potentially hazardous contaminants such as herbicides and pesticides.

The second type of surface water quality testing that can be performed on the property is the infrared (IR) water spectrometer. Unlike UV testing, an infrared thermometer can measure the amount of vaporized organic compounds (VOCs) in the water. However, unlike ultraviolet testing, an infrared thermometer cannot determine the levels of different VOCs in the water. The third type of testing that can be performed on a home is pH testing. Using a special pH scale, the pH level of your water changes depending upon the amount of oxygen in the water as well as the concentration of different chemical substances in the water.

Greensboro Water Testing

For years, Greensboro has been performing routine testing of its water supply in an attempt to determine whether there is a real danger to human health. The city’s drinking water meets all standards set by the NPDES prior to distribution, but what about testing for other contaminants? Public water suppliers are required to test for cholera, lead, cysts, and other harmful chemicals, but few actually do. Greensboro has a history of fighting tough regulations imposed by the EPA and other local environmental groups that want the public water supply tested more frequently.

One of the most common substances found in Greensboro’s tap water is chlorine. It is a by-product of the cleaning and treating of raw natural gas. Chlorine is used in many products to protect the pipes from leaks and bursting during transportation. Some homeowners use it to reduce the chances of fires in their homes by using a chemical lining around the tank of gas. Unfortunately, the chemical is also very harmful to humans and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach ulcers. It is a relatively inexpensive, but potentially deadly, substance.

It is a good idea to install an additional filtration device in your home if you are serviced by a public treatment facility. If you suspect that you are suffering from chlorine contamination, you should contact your public provider and have them test the supply yourself. If they find a problem, they will assist you in removing it and explaining the testing procedure to you. An on-site testing facility is also available should you choose to install one in your home.

Greensboro Water System

There are many different reasons why you should look into having your own water. One of the main ones is that it is cleaner than the water that comes out of your local water provider. A lot of times the water from your provider has chemicals and other harmful pollutants in it that can make you sick. If you had to do it by yourself, you would have to test the water and clean it to ensure that there are no impurities. This process is not only costly but can also be time-consuming.

The best thing about the systems that you install is that they will give you clean water that is filtered. You will always know where the water that goes into your home is coming from. This makes it easy for you to determine what is safe to drink and what is not. Also, you will never have to worry about running out of water as you can always count on the water coming through your system to last you for quite some time. A lot of people forget to take this into consideration but with a reusable water system, you won’t have to worry about that at all. This is a great option for those that enjoy being outdoors a lot or anyone who wants to save money on their monthly water bill.

The best thing that you can do is to check out the website for Greensboro Water. They provide a lot of information for you to learn about water conservation as well as the installation of a reusable water system. You will have complete instructions along with pictures to help you get started. This is a great place to start if you want to learn more about a new water system for your home.

Greensboro Water Department

If you’re looking for some good old-fashioned fun, the Greensboro Water Department has some things you can do. This lovely city is nestled on the eastern shore of the Ashley Mountains. The history of this delightful little slice of North Carolina is rich in the stories of both pioneers and scalawags. There are more than a few legends that have been told about this little slice of heaven.

In 1734, Captain William Blunt, a man who was very fond of fishing, started a trout farm in the Pee Dee River. He would sell the catch to the locals and make money by providing them with a steady supply of freshwater. A few years later, Thomas Jefferson moved to Greensboro and purchased a tract of land there. The banks of the Pee Dee River were near the spot where Blunt had his trout farm so when he left the city, he laid some of the most beautiful stone walls in Greensboro that still exist today.

Another great place to check out is the Blue Ridge Parkway which runs through Greensboro. This scenic area offers visitors some wonderful views of the area’s natural environment. Head up to the top of the Pee Dee River on a kayak and enjoy nature at its best. All of these things and more are waiting for you in Greensboro and along with it a warm relaxing Summer for your family to enjoy.

Greensboro Water Contaminants

Greensboro Water is a huge company that provides the public with treated water from their treatment facilities, including a number of treatment stations in 13 communities throughout the county. Many of these stations use the same kinds of purifiers that are commonly used throughout North America, and some purifiers are more expensive than others. The sad fact, however, is that many cities and towns throughout the country have found that they cannot remove chlorination byproducts called THMs or trihalomethanes from their water supplies, because the technology to remove them has not been developed yet. Consequently, the water that reaches many Americans through their taps is contaminated with these cancer-causing chemicals, and some residents will actually contract cancer as a result.

As one might expect, Greensboro Water is concerned about this problem, too, as it is one of the reasons that they provide the public with their safe water. But it is equally important for everyone to understand that there are other ways of removing contaminants from the water that you drink, as well. In fact, it is quite easy to do, if you have the right purification equipment. You just need to be aware that not all of these types of systems are created equally.

A home purifier that simply removes chlorine from your water is only effective if you also use a granular carbon filter to strip away the color that occurs when chlorine interacts with organic material in water, such as leaves. The result is greenish or yellowish water. On the other hand, a multi-stage selective filtration system that includes an ion-exchange component will balance the mineral content as well as remove the excess chlorine from your water. By taking this approach, you can be sure that you enjoy purer, cleaner water that does not contain THMs, and you can also feel confident that it is safer for your family to drink. After all, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you replace your drinking water at least once every year.

Greensboro Water Authority

Located in the northwestern part of North Carolina, Greensboro is a vibrant community that prides itself on being the “Wisest City” in the county. A member of the Associated Heritage Sites Commission, Greensboro has preserved many historical landmarks and is one of only six areas in the state to have been granted this rare designation. Thanks to the efforts of its citizens, the city has been successful in preserving its historic downtown area as well as preserving its natural resources and assets. This highly rated water treatment facility, along with its many outdoor recreational opportunities, has earned Greensboro the distinction of being considered a Green Community.

At the heart of this thriving community is a naturally designed water tower. This iconic structure serves as a vital feature of Green City’s landscape. While standing at eight stories, the water tower offers residents an unobstructed, view of not only the greens, but the majestic skyline of Raleigh and its nearby fields and forests. This special landmark was recently listed among the Ten Best Water Centers in the World by the World Health Organization. Furthermore, this exceptional structure also draws thousands of visitors annually to its grand opening, where residents can tour the tower and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate or soft drinks.

In addition to preserving the natural beauty of its landscape, Greensboro has worked hard to preserve its local waterways. Its two lakes, Mountain Laurel and Lake Nakuru, each have an environmental advisory board and are managed by the city. These lakes help to maintain the quality of the water supply for the residents of Greensboro while allowing them to enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities. Through this, the city has worked hard to achieve an excellent rating in water conservation and continues to do so as every year it attempts to improve upon its efforts.

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