Press Releases

DEQ responding to discharge event in Lincoln County

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources is investigating a discharge event related to foam substance reported in Lincoln and Gaston County waterways on June 6-7. The source of the discharge has been identified by DWR as untreated animal waste from Gar-Mac Dairy of Crouse in Lincoln County (AWC550002) as the result of a broken hydrant in their irrigation system.

Code Orange Alerts Remain in Thursday’s Air Quality Forecast

North Carolina residents should continue to exercise caution while outside on Thursday due to smoke and fine particle pollution from Canadian wildfires.

North Carolina continues to lead the way on addressing PFAS

North Carolina continues to lead the way on addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS.   

Water quality swimming advisory issued for sound-side site in Dare County

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Dare County, where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

DEQ Forecasts Code Red or Orange Air Quality for All NC on Wednesday

Due to rapidly rising levels of fine particle pollution attributed to smoke from active wildfires in Canada, all of North Carolina will be under a Code Red or Code Orange Air Quality Action Day tomorrow, June 7.

Widespread Code Orange Air Quality Action Day Issued due to Canadian Wildfire Smoke

A Code Orange Air Quality Action Day has been issued for much of North Carolina due to smoke and fine particles from active wildfires in Canada.

Lifetime of fishing awaits lucky youth attending Marine Fisheries’ Bicentennial Jamboree

A lifetime of fishing awaits one lucky youth who attends the upcoming N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Bicentennial Jamboree. Neuse Sport Shop has volunteered to sponsor a Jamboree Passport raffle, and the prize is a Lifetime Coastal Recreational Fishing License!

DEQ Accepting Public Comment on Draft Water and Wastewater Funding Intended Use Plans and Proposed Changes to Priority Rating Systems

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting comments until June 30, 2023, on several draft Intended Use Plans for the State Revolving Funds and proposed changes to the Priority Rating System for the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure Program and the Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments program.

New rule effective today that pertains to classification of shellfish waters near marinas

An amended rule goes into effect today that pertains to the classification of shellfish waters near marinas.

Eleven Projects Funded through Inaugural Food Waste Reduction Grant

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) awarded the first Food Waste Reduction grants to 11 organizations, totaling $393,264, for projects that develop the state’s food waste infrastructure. DEQ’s Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) administers the grant to help local governments, non-profits and businesses reduce the amount of food waste disposed at landfills by expanding food donation networks or composting operations.