DEQ-CFW_00053727

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The Honorable Bill Cook
N.C.8unoto
ADDRESS
Raleigh, NC
Dear Senator Cook:
We appreciate your consideration ofthe critical needs for de ofHeuNhand
Bun�onServices and the of (T}80)toensure nehave the
resources toprotect public health. North Carolina families deserve to have confidence in the water they
drink.
Woare ready Loengage ina productive dialogue about these topics and are available tnmeet iu
person to share more information with you about our request for expedited funding and personnel. We
are glad you are reviewing the effect of legislative budget cuts, both past and current.
The departments are deploying all uvui|uh|o resources to address the immediate concerns in the
Lower Cape Fear region. Woare communicating regularly with local officials Vzshare information. And
based on the ongoing investigation along with support from residents and local officials, Chemours has
stopped discharging GenX into the Cape Fear. Initial water tests being conducted by DEQ show that
levels ofGon}{inthe water supply are down dramatically.
The challenge is far from over, however, as additional compounds have been identified in the
lower Cape Fear Region uohealth and water quality experts will seek toset standards.
Status ofemerging contaminants
While the state has the authority to enact regulatory standards, itdoes not currently have
sufficient research at the state or federal level to make these determinations for GenX and other
unregulated compounds onaconsistent basis.
As more unregulated compounds are being identified, the need for more qualified people to
address these issues is growing. These problems are present in southeastern North Carolina but water
qua|driaustatewide pho i for cities from Burlington and Greensboro LoHickory and Washington.
Because nfthe lack nfscientific data onthe long-term public health effects ofthese compounds,
we have chartered the Secretaries' Science Advisory Board to guide state officials on protecting public
health and the environment from new orunregulated chemicals.
But making these determinations requires ociondMo studies, and experts to do it. D80 and DHDB8
are working with the EPA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get more research to
develop regulatory guidance for Gon}{and other emerging compounds.
In the few instances where DEQ instituted drinking water regulations when federal regulations
did not exist, the state was provided significant data and scientific research from the EPA to support

establishment ofustate standard. This kind ofinformation ionot currently available for (}onXorthese
other emerging
We should also warn that the General Assembly is poised to eliminate a provision in G.S. 15013-
19.2 that restricts regulators' ability to address threats topublic health, safety and welfare. (See Soodmo 6
ofthe Conference Report for House Bill |62).
Request for water quality assurance:
Our request iofor funding for positions that will directly help protect water quality for all North
Carolinians, and to cover the expense of tests monitoring the presence of GenX and other chemical
compounds in the Cape Fear River and other inland waterways as they become known to us. The
additional appropriation would allow uotocontinue the independent testing that provides the public with
the most reliable results.
The large scope and pressing nature of this challenge requires a larger response than our
departments have resources to provide while continuing to meet the day-to-day requirements. The scope
of work includes regulating thousands of industries and protecting 38,000 miles of waterways across the
state.
DEQ staff with the expertise to execute compliance, permits and enforcement actions are
mandatory. These are specialized needs and must be performed by people with appropriate knowledge,
skills and backgrounds.
In recent years, responses to emerging compounds have diverted considerable time and attention
from important routine responsibilities inboth Departments. lnorder tomeet this challenge, vvoneed
scientists who are experts inwater quality issues and can provide the state and our local communities the
support they need.
Since 20|3,DG0`awater quality program has sustainedsignificant reductions iupositions
supportingcompliance, permitting and enforcement with u1least 7Upositions inwater quality eliminated.
This has resulted in u40percent backlog in the iuuuunoo of wastewater permits, which has decreased the
huobocoo community's regulatory certainty and ability tocreate *obo.The positions neare seckimz vvouk[
not only enhance our ability toprotect public health and the environment, but would also help ensure our
state's economic well-being.
Cheouoora m:
1uNovember 20|6,theprevious administration received aresearch report from the EPA and NI
State University regarding the Cape Fear watershed. Cape Fear Public Utility Authority staff has noted it
received this study inMay, 20l6.LnJune 20l?,DUG0and DUHUB8staff had separate discussions about
{}cn}{and subsequently met with representatives from [homouro. Shortly after that meeting D20bogan
investigating the presence of GenX, collecting water samples from multiple sites, and conducting an on -
site inspection to verify that Chemours was redirecting wastewater and discharge had stopped.
Since the state was ou000aafb| atstopping Chemours from releasing GeoX into the Come Four
River basin, the concentrations of the chemical compound at all sites has declined.
For your background, the DE0io concluding areview ofthespecific identifying information the
company provided for the chemicals hwas discharging intothe Cape Fear River, and expects soon tobo

able toshare with you information regarding any appropriate enforcement action. Amthat process
continues, the department has denied Chemours' permit request to release any GenX going forward.
Last month the DE0and DB8S released an updated preliminany health assessment for
concentrations ofGeoXin drinkim4 water. Alist nfscientific studies and reports used and details onthe
preliminary assessment and the revised health goal are posted on-line at: https:Hdeq.nc.gov/news/hot-
topics/genx-investigation.
You should also beaware that the updated health goal could horevisedagain amnew inforzuoikon
becomes available orwhen standards are made available hvthe EPA.
Throughout our investigation, all our efforts have been well documented. Wohave weekly
conference calls toupdate local officials onour investigation and we regularly publish any new
information onthis topic mnour public neboho,https://deq.nc.gov/news/hot-topics/genx-investigation.
Here you can find information on assessments and health goals, as well as key dates and maps of the
ongoing sampling.
Wewould also invite you tojoin our weekly phone calls with local officials orvisit our water
permitting and public health facilities to learn more about how our agencies operate.
Thank youagain for your interest inthis issue. Wolook forward totheopportunity Vosit down
with all of you in person to continue this important conversation.
Michael Regan, Secretary Mandy Cohen, Secretary