Customer Service News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 16, 2023 (Butner, NC): During the months of September, October, and November 2022, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) collected water samples at SGWASA's water treatment plant to analyze PFAS levels. The testing and analysis effort by the DEQ was part of a state-wide program to test water utilities. The term PFAS describes a class of compounds commonly referred to as “forever chemicals”, as they do not break down and remain constant in the environment through the water and land. PFAS can be found in products and materials used regularly by most citizens, such as lotion, wax paper, water bottles, cleaning products, non-stick cookware, floss, and more.

Recently, the South Granville Water & Sewer Authority (SGWASA) received the fall 2022 DEQ PFAS test results.  Water samples were collected at two sites at the water plant. One sample site was at the raw (unfinished) water location for water coming into the water plant from Lake Holt. The other sample was collected at the finished drinking water location for water coming out of the SGWASA water plant.  The DEQ has provided the test results for all water utilities that were tested, including SGWASA, at the following website: DEQ public water systems sampling results 

In 2019, the North Carolina Per and Polyfuoroalkyl Substances Testing (PFAST) Network performed statewide sampling. SGWASA participated in this testing project. For more information on this testing and the testing results, please view the following website: https://www.sgwasa.org/news/post/4729/   

Following are the results from the 2022 DEQ water quality sampling for PFAS.  The test results are provided in a table for easy viewing and interpretation.  The 2019 PFAST Network PFAS test results are also provided as a comparison to the most recent 2022 DEQ water testing results.

***Note: The 2022 Water Treatment Plant Upgrade allowed SGWASA to increase the amount of carbon used in the water purification process, thus providing for improved water quality and lower PFAS values in the Finished Drinking Water, as shown in the table below. 

On March 14, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  announced the proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

SGWASA remains proactive in combatting the impact of PFAS being deposited into our ecosystem. Our top priority is to provide quality water and sanitary sewer services to our customers in an efficient, sustainable, and environmentally conscious manner. We are concerned about PFAS discoveries in the environment and are taking an aggressive approach to testing, managing, and processing PFAS contributing to SGWASA’s drinking water source: Lake Holt.

The authority has prioritized upgrading SGWASA's treatment facility to align with the EPA’s updated regulations, testing, and processing methods. The SGWASA Board approved $41,300 to ECS Southeast, LLP, to perform additional PFAS water testing in Lake Holt during the next year. 

For more information on PFAS, please see the EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/pfas.

Please stay up to date on this topic via the SGWASA website.

Issued 3/16/23 by the South Granville Water and Sewer Authority 

Krystle Lee, PIO & Board Secretary

919-575-3367

klee@sgwasa.org

IMPORTANT NOTICE 

TO SGWASA WATER CUSTOMERS

Spring 2023 Water System Maintenance Program 

Annually, the South Granville Water and Sewer Authority (SGWASA) performs a variety of system-wide maintenance activities on the water distribution system to ensure compliance with state and federal water quality standards.

One of the proactive maintenance activities that is scheduled for this Spring includes changing the water disinfection process for a period, thus reducing the amount of ammonia in the drinking water, while keeping the chlorine at the same level. This practice is commonly known as a “Chlorine Burn Out”.  This process ensures a high level of disinfection throughout the entire distribution system.

Scheduled Date for Chlorine Burn Out: 

March 1, 2023 through April 1, 2023

How Does This Affect Me? 

During the Chlorine Burn Out, customers may notice an increase in chlorine taste and smell. Chlorine levels will be tested throughout the system to ensure the water is safe for all purposes. System flushing may result in some minor discoloration of the water provided to customers. If water appears discolored, customers should flush faucets for a few minutes. If discoloration persists, contact SGWASA customer service office at (919) 575-3367 or the water treatment plant at (919) 575-3118 weekdays between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Customers who use SGWASA water in fish aquariums, ponds, or for kidney dialysis treatment should continue to remove residual traces of both ammonia and chlorine from the water prior to using it. Owners of aquatic pets can get more information from their local pet supply stores. Kidney dialysis patients should speak with their healthcare providers if they have concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Why does the chlorine smell stronger?

Answer: An increased smell of chlorine is very normal during the conversion period, as the disinfectant is transitioning for chloramines to free chlorine.

• Is the water safe to drink during this process?

Answer: Yes, the water is safe to drink, and customers can use the water as normal.

• Will flushing of the system occur during this process?

Answer: Yes, flushing will occur during this process to remove any discoloration or cloudiness and maintain overall water quality in our distribution system.

• Why are the fire hydrants flowing during this process?

Answer: Fire hydrants are used to maintain clear water for our customers and to ensure the free chlorine conversion has made it to the far reaches of our distribution system. Flowing of fire hydrants will subside after the termination of this process.

• What is the current drinking water disinfection method?

Answer: The current method of disinfection used by SGWASA is chloramination. Chloramination is the use of both ammonia and chlorine to disinfect water. When added at a carefully controlled level, the ammonia and chlorine react chemically to produce combined chlorine, referred to as chloramines. Chloramines are safe in drinking water and serve as an effective method of disinfection. SGWASA switched from chlorination to chloramination in November 2005.

• Who do I contact if I want more information on this topic? 

Answer: You may contact the SGWASA customer service office at (919) 575-3367 or the water treatment plant at (919) 575-3118 weekdays between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Additionally, please see the SGWASA website at www.sgwasa.org

South Granville Water and Sewer Authority (SGWASA) is committed to providing quality water and sanitary sewer services to our customers in an efficient, sustainable, and environmentally conscious manner. The organization has prioritized the upgrade of the county's aging systems in order to maintain quality water services by supporting and funding operating and capital components, while pursuing partnerships and other regional opportunities.

On February 23, 2023, Governor Roy Cooper announced $462.9 million in funding for infrastructure projects statewide needed to bolster North Carolina’s water and sewer systems. From this funding opportunity, SGWASA received a $200K grant from NCDEQ for a wastewater collection system inventory/condition assessment. The grant money will focus on creating a more in-depth inventory of sewer assets and their condition. The Department of Environmental Quality received more than 600 applications from counties throughout North Carolina, including South Granville Water & Sewer Authority’s submission from project lead Mark Hamlett, Engineering Director.

The full list of February 2023 SWIA-funded applications (awarded) can be found here. SGWASA appreciates the support received from NCDEQ, the State, and Presidential Administration. The grant funding for this project was made available from the American Rescue Plan Act, State Revolving Funds (including Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds), and Community Development Block Grant funding.¹

Click here to learn more about SGWASA engineering projects. 

^{1 Governor Cooper Announces $462.9 Million in Clean Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Funding, Tours Water Treatment Facilities in Lexington and Cullowhee. (2023, February 23). Governor Cooper Announces $462.9 Million in Clean Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Funding, Tours Water Treatment Facilities in Lexington and Cullowhee | NC Gov. Cooper. https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2023/02/23/governor-cooper-announces-4629-million-clean-water-and-wastewater-infrastructure-funding-tours-water}

Issued 2/27/23 by the South Granville Water and Sewer Authority 

Krystle Lee, PIO & Board Secretary

919-575-3367

klee@sgwasa.org

Did You Know?

A water main is defined as a primary pipeline that distributes treated, potable water to homes and businesses. Mains are primarily used to connect smaller service lines that carry water from the main to private water systems.

Click to learn more about private water line information and reporting leaks.

Issued 12/3/22 by the South Granville Water and Sewer Authority

Krystle Lee, Public Information Officer

klee@sgwasa.org

Improper disposal of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) cause hazard to public health and the sewer systems. 

Sewer overflows and backups can cause health hazards and pose threat to the environment. Use these easy safety standards to help prevent fats, oils, and grease from overwhelming the water mains and sewer lines.

The second leading cause of all sewer overflows is grease blockages. Grease can get into the sewer from household drains as well as from poorly maintained grease traps in restaurants and other businesses.

Follow these three easy steps to aid in reducing the amount of FOG found impacting sewer systems.

For more information, please call (919) 575-3111 ext. 101. or email sthomas@sgwasa.org.

SGWASA Utility Customers:

On June 15, the US EPA reduced its health advisory levels (“HAL”) for two chemicals - PFOA and PFOS from 70 parts per trillion to interim levels of 0.004 and 0.02 parts per trillion.  SGWASA is committed to adhering to all state and federal water quality standards. SGWASA’s drinking water meets all current State and federal regulatory requirements, and therefore remains safe for consumption.  

The EPA’s interim HALs are guidance and not regulatory requirements.  EPA’s Interim HALs are meant to identify the amount of a chemical a person can be exposed to for their entire life (70 years) without it causing any adverse health impacts.  Results greater than the Health Advisory Levels do not mean that there is an emergency or violation.  Accordingly, exceedances of these interim levels for some period going forward while EPA adopts regulatory requirements and water systems figure out how to meet those requirements, does not mean that public health is at risk or that public drinking water is unsafe.  For more information on PFAS, please review the following website link: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained   

What are SGWASA's Levels for PFOA and PFOS? 

Check out the following information from the North Carolina PFAS Testing Network. 

• Findings and recommendations of the North Carolina per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances testing network.    

The source for the following information is: 

https://ncpfast.renci.org/media/reports2/SOUTH_GRANVILLE_WTR_SEWER_AUTHORITY_NC0239107_2019-06-11_X2019_08_02_10_59_58.html 

NC PFAST Quantitative Screening Results for Raw Drinking Water From The North Carolina PFAS Testing Unit

SGWASA Utility Customers:

On June 15, the US EPA reduced its health advisory levels (“HAL”) for two chemicals - PFOA and PFOS from 70 parts per trillion to interim levels of 0.004 and 0.02 parts per trillion.  A part per trillion is 1 drop of water in an Olympic size swimming pool (660,430 gallons of water).  This is an incredible reduction from the 2016 HAL (70 drops of PFOA/PFOS in the Olympic-sized pool now down to just a tiny fraction of one drop) that leaves many water systems and well water users around the country above the interim HALs. These levels are so low they cannot even be measured.

SGWASA is committed to adhering to all state and federal water quality standards and SGWASA’s drinking water meets all State and federal regulatory requirements, and therefore remains safe for consumption. 

What Are SGWASA's Levels for PFOA and PFOS? Click Here.

With respect to PFAS, water utilities, such as SGWASA, are “passive receivers” of PFAS. We do not produce or manufacture PFAS. Instead, these chemicals are present in source waters that are treated to produce drinking water.  PFAS chemicals have been used in all sorts of products that the public interacts with daily.   The products range from takeout food containers, non-stick cookware, cosmetics, waterproof clothing, fabric softener, to a whole host of other consumer/household products. For more information on PFAS, please review the following website link: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained   

Following the June 15, 2022 announcement by the US EPA regarding the HAL’s for PFOA and PFOS, SGWASA has been engaged with Hazen & Sawyer consultants to assist us on our journey with PFAS/PFOS compliance, communications, testing (we anticipate PFAS testing this fall; results to the public will follow), and mitigation strategies to adhere to state and federal water quality standards. Hazen & Sawyer guided SGWASA in a similar manner most recently with the $14,000,000 water treatment plant disinfection byproducts improvement project that was completed earlier this year.  This project shows SGWASA’s commitment to our customers to provide improved water quality that meets state and federal water quality standards. 

The EPA’s interim HALs are guidance and not regulatory requirements.   EPA’s Interim HALs are meant to identify the amount of a chemical a person can be exposed to for their entire life (70 years) without it causing any adverse health impacts.  Results greater than the Health Advisory Levels do not mean that there is an emergency or violation.  Accordingly, exceedances of these interim levels for some period going forward while EPA adopts regulatory requirements and water systems figure out how to meet those requirements, does not mean that public health is at risk or that public drinking water is unsafe.  

For now, please know that SGWASA continues to work diligently to characterize any PFAS chemicals in our systems and to minimize or eliminate the loadings. Furthermore, SGWASA will continue to strive to minimize PFAS levels while the US EPA adopts regulatory levels that we will then ensure we meet.   We expect those regulatory levels will be higher than the Interim HALs for PFOS and PFOA which were announced recently. 

SGWASA continues to keep customers informed about this important topic by publishing information on our website, in our utility bills, and at the monthly Board of Directors meetings. 

Please stay up to date on this topic and other news topics by monitoring our website at www.sgwasa.org 

Issued: 7/27/22

Updated:8/10/22  

By: The South Granville Water and Sewer Authority
Scott N. Schroyer, Executive Director
919-575-3367
customerservice@sgwasa.org

• The customer service lobby is open between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday thru Friday.
  • Only 2 customers are permitted in the lobby at one time.
  • Click Here for On Line Bill Payment

• Business Office hours are 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday.
  • Contact us via phone 919-575-3367 or via email at customerservice@sgwasa.org

• New Customers - Utility Service Application Processing
  • Please complete your application and place it in drop box, located in the parking lot. 
  • Should an application require an in-person processing, then these can occur by appointment only on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at specific hours of the day.  Please review the following: 
    • 30-minute appointment blocks will be scheduled based on availability. 
    • Please contact Customer Service via phone 919-575-3367 or via email at customerservice@sgwasa.org to arrange an appointment.

• Utility Disconnections For Non-Payment - Reconnection
  • Payments received by 3:00pm on cutoff day will be reconnected the same day. 
  • Payments received after 3:00pm on cutoff day will be reconnected the next business day.