NC DEQ Proposes Expanding the List of “Impaired Waters.”

The NC Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has proposed expanding its list of “impaired waters” by 400 more miles of streams and rivers which fail to support their designated clean water uses because of pollution. 

Known as the 303(d) list, after the relevant section of the Clean Water Act, these impaired waters designations are updated annually. They track everything from high bacteria count, to turbidity (mud in the water), to toxic pollutants, which keep a section of waterway or water body from meeting the cleanliness standards for their designated uses. Those uses may include water supply, fishing and shellfishing, and agricultural use, among others.

See specific examples, as well as river basin by river basin data across the state, in environmental reporter Lisa Sorg’s article for NC Newsline. The proposed update of North Carolina’s impaired waters is open for public comment through April 26. See full details, including the online comment process here.

Other Threats to Clean Water in NC

Thanks to the Home Builders Association, at least 2.5 million acres of vital wetlands are open for development in North Carolina. Since 2017, the Home Builders Association, a Political Action Committee, has emerged as one of the leading donors to state legislators, generously donating over a million dollars to the governing body.

How do wetlands relate to clean water? Wetlands act as a natural filtration system. Rep. Deb Butler pointed out how the General Assembly has recently made substantial investments in efforts to deliver clean, safe drinking water to North Carolinians. However, this bill takes a step backwards by destroying protections for the earth’s natural filtration system. “We would do well to leave Mother Nature alone to do her job,” she expressed.

Additionally, wetlands act as natural sponges, absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall and mitigating the risk of flooding in surrounding areas. By safeguarding wetlands, we preserve their crucial ability to retain and slowly release water, thereby reducing the intensity and frequency of flooding events. Read the full story in our 2023 Scorecard.