NC0023965_Lower Cape Fear River Water Source_20170607

James R. Flechtner, PE
Executive Director
COPO Fear 235 Government Center Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403
2-6542
Public Utility Authority [e-mail]
Stewardship. Sustainability. Service.
June 7, 2017
Ms. Sheila Holman
State of North Carolina RECEIVED/NCDEODWR
Department of Environmental Quality JUN 12 2017
Assistant Secretary for Environment
1601 Mail Service Center VV- � uahty
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1601rrit.�:= section
Dear Ms. Holman:
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority provides water and sewer service to nearly 200,000
customers in New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington. In addition to obtaining raw
water from groundwater sources, the Authority uses surface water from the Cape Fear River,
just upstream of Lock & Dam # 1 in Bladen County for treatment at the Sweeney Water
Treatment Plant and distribution to customers. The Sweeney Water Treatment Plant uses
advanced treatment processes such as advanced coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation,
ozone and UV, and BAC filtration.
Recent research through N. C. State University shows that, since the year 2000 per and poly-
fluoroalkyl substances have been introduced onto the market to replace long chain
perfluoroalkyl acids (e.g. perfluoroctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
and their respective precursors). This research indicates these poly-fluoroalkyl substances are
present in the Lower Cape Fear River source water. These compounds are currently not
regulated at the state or federal levels for discharge into the river. Due to the persistence of
these compounds and the ineffectiveness of existing water treatment technologies in removing
these compounds, these substances should be regulated at the point of discharge into the river
to ensure they do not compromise public water supplies.

June 7, 2017
Page Two
Enclosed is a publication titled "Legacy and Emerging Perfluoroalkyl Substances Are Important
Drinking Water Contaminates in the Cape Fear River Watershed of North Carolina" for your
reference. As this is newly available information, we would welcome your assistance in
evaluating implications for the area's source water. We would support actions identified by
NCDEQ to ensure proper regulation and management of the dischargers for the protection of
the river and its users. If additional information or assistance is needed, please contact me.
Sincerely,
James R. Flechtner, PE
Executive Director
Copy: Jay Zimmerman, Director NCDWR
,_-I.aHe Grzyb, NPDES Permitting Supervisor
Jessica Godreau, PWS Section Chief
Enclosure