Aqua unveiled seven new PFAS treatment facilities Wednesday, marking a significant step in addressing "forever chemicals" in the state’s drinking water. The facilities, including two in Wake County and one in Durham County, will serve thousands of residents as part of a broader effort to remove toxic PFAS chemicals from the water supply.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals used in everyday products, from nonstick cookware to firefighting foam. These chemicals have been linked to serious health risks, including cancer and reproductive issues, and have contaminated water supplies across North Carolina.
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With more than 200 PFAS-contaminated water systems statewide, Aqua is moving quickly to implement treatment solutions ahead of Environmental Protection Agency regulations, which require utilities to start removing PFAS by 2027.
"North Carolina is leading the way on this important national issue, with nearly two-thirds of our impacted systems here in this state," said Aqua President Colleen Arnold. "We’ve been testing and taking action for years, even before official standards were in place, because our customers deserve safe, clean drinking water."
To speed up implementation and reduce costs for smaller communities, Aqua has developed a modular treatment system that allows filters to be swapped out like a propane tank—making maintenance faster and more cost-effective for ratepayers.
"With a traditional system, it could take three years to complete," Arnold said. "But with our new design, we can get these built efficiently while keeping customer costs down."
While Aqua is installing more treatment systems, residents including Marie Moore, an Aqua customer who lives in Fayetteville, say they’ve been waiting too long for a solution.
"A lot of other residents share the same concern," Moore said. "We're all frustrated. We feel like no one really cares."
Moore says she has been drinking contaminated water for years with no alternative provided by Aqua.
"I've started looking at buying filters because Aqua America hasn't given any type of resolution for bottled water or any type of filters or anything," she said.
Currently, utilities are not required by law to provide PFAS-free water until EPA regulations start to take effect in 2027.
Aqua has secured $9.2 million in low-interest loans from North Carolina’s State Revolving Fund and state grants to help fund additional treatment facilities. The company plans to complete 50 PFAS treatment facilities by the end of the year, with a long-term goal of installing 180 sites in the next two to three years.
"Right now, we know where there are issues, and there's a prioritization plan—about 180 sites in the next two to three years, $80 million. We're gonna get it done, and get it done quick," said Shannon Becker, President of Aqua North Carolina.
Aqua says Moore’s system is expected to receive filtration next year. The company hopes federal funding will help speed up the process and reduce costs for customers.
Despite the progress, some regulatory uncertainty remains. President Donald Trump recently paused new environmental regulations, including an EPA proposal that would have stopped PFAS pollution at the source. Critics argue this move could shift the financial burden of cleanup from chemical manufacturers to utilities and their customers.
"We, as water utilities, did not put PFAS in the water," Arnold said. "It’s important we do everything we can to mitigate the cost to customers while holding manufacturers accountable."
To help offset costs, Aqua has joined lawsuits against chemical giants DuPont and 3M, expecting settlement funds later this year to support its cleanup efforts.
Aqua’s seven new facilities are just the beginning. More than 190 additional systems in North Carolina still need treatment, and Aqua is working to complete them by 2029.
"We have a long path to go, but we are committed to getting there," Arnold said. "This is about more than just compliance—it’s about protecting public health for generations to come."
State officials say funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed during the Biden administration, has helped smaller and rural utilities remove chemicals from the water supply.
"The bottom line is that these funds are instrumental in the execution of Aqua’s statewide master plan for PFAS mitigation," said John Nicholson, chief deputy secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
As utilities, regulators, and policymakers navigate the evolving landscape of PFAS regulations, Aqua says it will continue to invest in treatment solutions while advocating for funding to keep costs down for customers.