Local News

Cary Council Takes Up Water Pipe Mix-Ups

Town officials met Thursday to discuss recent problems with Cary's reclaimed water program.

Posted Updated
Construction Mixup Likely Cause of Cary Water Woes
CARY, N.C. — Town officials met Thursday to discuss recent problems with Cary's reclaimed water program.

Cary recycles treated wastewater for people to use in their sprinkler systems and for outdoor watering. But inspectors last month found four homes where the reclaimed water and drinking water lines were reversed, meaning reclaimed water was piped into the homes for the family to drink and use for washing and bathing.

The families were moved to hotels for a few days while city crews fixed the mix-up and flushed the indoor pipes. Officials said the lids to meters for the separate water systems apparently were switched during construction before the town installed the meters.

On Thursday, members went over recommendations to improve how water lines are labeled. They suggested other safeguards, such as changing the size, color and material of the reclaimed water pipes. The shape of meter boxes and lids also could be changed to ensure no future mix-ups could occur

Inspectors have tested all homes using reclaimed water and said they plan to conduct two water tests at each new home before it can be occupied.

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.