Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - New Hanover County Water Company

CFPUA's Infrastructure Overview: Serving Our Community

Our extensive infrastructure delivers clean water to approximately 200,000 residents through a network of pipes, pumps, wells, and treatment facilities. This infrastructure is vital to our community's quality of life, providing:

• Disease prevention
• Fire protection
• Sanitation services
• Environmental protection
• Economic development support

CFPUA processes nearly 20 million gallons of untreated water daily from two primary sources:

• Groundwater aquifers - processed at the Michael E. Richardson Nanofiltration Plant
• Cape Fear River - our main supply, shared with Brunswick and Pender counties through the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority (LCFWASA)

Our treatment systems meet or exceed standards established by the EPA and NC Department of Environmental Quality. After treatment, water is distributed through a network of pumps and pipes to residential and commercial customers, with excess stored in tanks for future needs.

CFPUA also operates two wastewater treatment facilities - the Northside and Southside plants - which remove pollutants and harmful microorganisms before water returns to the environment.

System Maintenance: Annual Flushing Program

Like most utilities, CFPUA conducts annual system flushing to:

• Preserve water quality
• Enhance system flow
• Maintain pipe integrity
• Test critical infrastructure

During this maintenance, water flows at high velocity through pipes to remove mineral sediment. Crews work overnight during spring and summer when weather conditions are optimal and the risk of disinfection byproducts increases.

The program allows CFPUA to inspect 1,100+ miles of water mains, 7,700 fire hydrants, and 15,000 water valves. This ensures firefighters have reliable hydrants and allows for targeted water shutoffs during repairs, minimizing customer disruption.

Lead & Copper Protection

CFPUA's Corrosion Control Program uses special additives to coat pipes and prevent metals from leaching into water. Last year, we conducted 50 different tests for lead and copper in our Sweeney water system. This comprehensive monitoring program includes plumbing reviews, sample collection, test analysis, and customer notifications. Ongoing data confirms our corrosion control methods effectively protect customers from lead and copper that might otherwise leach from home plumbing systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where does Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - New Hanover County water come from?
   Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - New Hanover County supplies groundwater to Wilmington, North Carolina.
2. Does Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - New Hanover County test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - New Hanover County must test its water under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and publish an annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report). Ask the utility for the latest report or look for it on its website.
3. How do I contact Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - New Hanover County?
   Call 910-332-6550 or visit 235 Government Center Drive , Wilmington, NC 28403, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - New Hanover County water contain lead?
   Water usually leaves the treatment plant without lead. Lead can enter tap water from older service lines, solder and brass fixtures inside homes, especially when water sits in the pipes. Run the tap before drinking if water has been sitting, and ask the utility about lead testing and service line records.
5. Is Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - New Hanover County water hard?
   Hardness depends on the source and changes over time. The annual water quality report lists hardness, or you can test it at home. If it is above about 7 grains per gallon, a water softener sized to your measured hardness will stop scale and spotting.