Cape Fear River Coverage

Thousands of gallons of wastewater spill into Fuquay-Varina creek

An estimated 2,500 gallons of untreated wastewater were discharged into an unnamed tributary to Kenneth Creek in the Cape Fear River Basin. The town said there was no impact to public drinking water.

WRAL staff

Bridge cleanup underway in Fayetteville after trash builds up along Cape Fear River

On Tuesday, the city of Fayetteville employees started to remove trash under the Grove Street Bridge. Soon, cleanup at the Person Street Bridge will begin.

Trash from Fayetteville homeless encampment headed to the Cape Fear River

There are piles of trash underneath the Person Street Bridge near the Cape Fear River in Fayetteville. The city of Fayetteville is responsible for keeping the area clean.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Cape Fear River polluted with trash from homeless encampment after heavy rain

The trash flowing into the Cape Fear River is being generated by a homeless encampment that's growing under the Person Street Bridge.

Body found on Cape Fear River days after boaters disappear

The body of the final person linked to a boating accident on Dec. 28 was found on Wednesday near the Cape Fear River.

Search for missing person along Cape Fear River enters second day

They were among five people lost on the Cape Fear River yesterday. Four have been rescued. The search for the last person is underway on Friday.

One boater missing after water rescue on Cape Fear River saves four people

Authorities in Lee County said five boaters went out on the river near Lett's Landing just south of Moncure.

Body found along Cape Fear River days after group of boaters rescued

Four people were rescued from the Cape Fear River on Thursday in Lee County. Police did not reveal the identify of the remains found on Wednesday, but did confirm the remains were of the still-missing person from the Dec. 28 boating accident.

Willie Daniely, WRAL reporter and Shelle Jackson, WRAL reporter

Flood warning issued as Cape Fear River rises in Cumberland, Bladen counties

A flood warning is in effect for parts of Cumberland and Bladen counties due to high water levels for the Cape Fear River.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Researchers discover new forever chemicals in Cape Fear River

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have identified 11 additional types of PFAS in the Cape Fear River, including eight that were previously unknown to the Environmental Protection Agency.

New forever chemicals discovered in Cape Fear River

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have identified 11 additional types of PFAS in the Cape Fear River, including eight that were previously unknown to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate change reporter

U.N. appointed experts express concerns about Chemours

In a series of letters sent to the company and its parent company, Dupont, the group warned of "blatant human rights concerns," saying the company disregarded those in the area when they dumped forever chemicals into the Cape Fear River.

UN group calls out Chemours for violating human rights, polluting the planet & lying about the danger of PFAS

A group of independent researchers appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council has accused Chemours of violating human rights by contaminating the environment with toxic chemicals

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate reporter

Man found dead along Cape Fear River in Harnett County

A missing 23-year-old man's body was found in the Cape Fear River in Erwin on Wednesday.

Body of missing man pulled from Cape Fear River in Erwin

The body of a missing Sampson County man was pulled out of the Cape Fear River in Erwin on Wednesday.

NC budget includes $60 million to mitigate contaminated water

While many are celebrating resources to address a problem that has plagued the state for decades, some critics say the polluters - not the taxpayers - should be footing the bill.

Cumberland County braces for rising rivers from tropical storm

Emergency managers in Fayetteville and Cumberland County say they're ready for any flash flooding or power outages caused as Tropical Storm Ophelia crosses NC.

UNC Pembroke student studying PFAS in Cape Fear River

University of North Carolina at Pembroke Ashley Barez has spent the past two years studying chemical contamination in the Gray's Creek Community.

Cape Fear officials urge state to study health risks from 'forever chemicals' in drinking water

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority spent $43 million on filters to remove forever chemicals from water dumped by a facility in Fayetteville.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate change reporter

13-year-old NC cancer survivor fights for clean water

Abigail Herman, 13, had kidney cancer. She now has skin cancer. She is advocating for clean drinking water after a plant dumped chemicals into the Cape Fear River for decades.

Cristin Severance, WRAL investigative reporter/documentary producer

13-year-old Wilmington cancer survior fights for clean water

Thousands of people are fighting for clean drinking water in North Carolina after a plant dumped chemicals into the Cape Fear River for decades.

WRAL Documentary: 'Forever Chemicals: North Carolina's Toxic Tap Water'

"Forever Chemicals: North Carolina's Toxic Tap Water" premiered on WRAL-TV at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23.

WRAL investigative, climate journalists explore damage caused by massive amounts of toxic chemicals dumped into the Cape Fear River

WRAL Investigative Documentary Reporter Cristin Severance co-reported on forever chemicals in NC water with Liz McLaughlin, WRAL's reporter covering climate change impacts and environmental issues.

WRAL Documentary: 'Forever Chemicals: North Carolina's Toxic Tap Water'

A new WRAL Documentary explores the damage caused by massive amounts of toxic chemicals dumped into the Cape Fear River.

Cristin Severance, WRAL investigative reporter/documentary producer and Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate change reporter

'We live off the land': Indigenous communities say pollution is cutting off a vital food source

The state's largest river system has long been a bountiful food source for the Cape Fear Band of Skarure and Woccon Indians. But a recent fish consumption advisory is pinching that lifeline.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate change reporter