The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has notified drinking water facilities on the Cape Fear River of elevated levels of 1,4 dioxane discovered in wastewater treatment plant discharge from Reidsville and Greensboro.
As part of the continued investigation into the 1,4 dioxane levels in the Cape Fear River, DEQ staff sampled effluent from the Reidsville Wastewater Treatment Plant. The initial sample results received today show 1400 ug/L (micrograms per liter) of 1,4 dioxane from the Reidsville WWTP on October 11, 2019. While additional data is necessary, DEQ is notifying downstream utilities and instituting weekly sampling at the Reidsville site.
Weekly sampling is already required at the Greensboro site as a result of the August 1,4 dioxane release and investigation. The Greensboro WWTP results received today show 20 ug/L on October 7 and 45 ug/L on October 11.
The EPA has set an advisory lifetime health goal of 35 ug/L for drinking water.
Reidsville officials have indicated that two companies within their pretreatment system, DyStar and Unifi, are possible sources of the chemical. Weekly sampling will help determine the extent of the loading to the river. DEQ will pursue appropriate enforcement action for all identified permit violations in this case.