Water Quality Statement

PFAS contaminants in drinking water have been in the news lately.

The Town of Fuquay-Varina meets and exceeds all current federal and state drinking water quality standards. Fuquay-Varina does not have its own water source and currently purchases water through agreements with the City of Raleigh, Harnett County, and Johnston County. The Town is collaborating with the City of Sanford and the Towns of Holly Springs and Pittsboro through an interlocal agreement to increase its water capacity in the near future.  

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) enables the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set legal limits on certain contaminants in drinking water. In February 2021, the EPA implemented the national primary drinking water regulation development process for two polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminants, a group of thousands of man-made chemical compounds in use since the 1940s to make consumer products such as cookware, cosmetics, food wrappings, stain/water-resistant clothing, and carpet and furniture treatments. The EPA has stated that approximately 80% of a person’s exposure to PFAS comes from consumer goods, which can also be found in drinking water.

The EPA is currently reviewing national drinking water standards – also known as Maximum Contaminant Levels for PFOA and PFOS. When the EPA issues any change, an effective date would be set in the future, so water providers have time to meet the new standard. 

As part of the Sanford Water Filtration Facility expansion project, the group is taking a proactive approach in protecting public health. This project's current design and plans are to move forward with installing granular activated carbon reactors as part of the treatment process. All entities realize that the new rule will require the installation of advanced treatment processes and wish to minimize the financial impact to its ratepayers by offsetting those costs to every extent possible.

Fuquay-Varina water customers can have confidence that Fuquay-Varina water is safe for drinking, cooking, and bathing as the Town continues to meet all current state and federal safe water drinking standards.