Salisbury-Rowan Utilities (SRU) recently issued a drinking water notice to customers following a drop in the removal rate of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in the untreated “raw” water from the Yadkin River. TOC has no health effects. This is not an emergency and does not require customers to use an alternative water supply (e.g. bottled).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State of North Carolina set standards related to water quality. One of those standards requires that SRU remove a certain amount of the naturally-occurring organic carbon. From October 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, test results showed the treatment techniques dropped to 0.99 from the minimum of 1.0, causing SRU to receive a violation from the state.
SRU staff improved the treatment process on Sunday, Jan. 8, so that more carbon was removed. A follow-up sample was collected showing an adequate removal ratio of 1.07.
“Salisbury-Rowan Utilities tap water is safe to drink and is currently meeting all State and Federal water quality standards,” said SRU Director Jim Behmer. “SRU will continue monitoring water quality as directed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.”
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For more information or questions, contact Jeff Parker at (704) 638-4480.