City of Durham Water Company

Durham water management officials utilize advanced modeling to determine sustainable water yields from the city's two primary lakes. After accounting for the severe drought conditions of 2007-2008 and implementing a 20% safety buffer, these sources reliably produce 27.9 MGD (million gallons per day).

The city is actively developing plans to incorporate two additional water sources - Michael Jordan Lake and Teer Quarry - to meet current and future demand. Since 2002, Jordan Lake has provided supplemental water for Durham through Cary's water system, with an initial allocation of approximately 10 MGD. Following the 2007-2008 drought, Durham secured an additional 6.5 MGD allocation to ensure water supply through 2060, approved by the N.C. Environmental Management Commission in 2017.

Durham is collaborating with neighboring water agencies to establish direct water transport from Jordan Lake into the municipal system. Teer Quarry first served as an emergency water supply during the height of the 2007-2008 drought. After purchasing the abandoned quarry in 2004, the city is now planning permanent facilities to enable quarry refilling from multiple sources during normal conditions, creating a reliable emergency water reserve.

Water flows from Durham's two source lakes to its Williams and Brown treatment plants through gravity flow, hydropower and electrical systems. On-site reservoirs at each facility maintain a two to three-day supply to stabilize distribution. In 2017, these plants provided 25.5 MGD to approximately 275,000 residents in the service area.

The Williams Water Treatment Plant on Hillandale Road (built 1917) has undergone several upgrades and now offers 22 MGD capacity. The Brown Water Treatment Plant on Infinity Road (completed 1977) has a 30 MGD capacity. Major renovations began at both facilities in 2017 and continue today.

Both plants employ conventional water treatment processes: coagulation (mixing caustic and ferric sulfate with source water), flocculation (gentle mixing allowing impurities to bond), sedimentation (removal of heavy particles), chlorine disinfection, filtration through sand and anthracite, and addition of phosphate (preventing pipe corrosion) and fluoride (dental health). The final stage adds chloramines as a disinfectant.

Durham has added fluoride to municipal water since 1957 to promote dental health. While state regulations previously required a concentration of 1.0 mg/l, updated guidance from the EPA and CDC in 2011 determined that dental benefits could be maintained at lower levels. North Carolina now allows water systems to reduce fluoride target levels to 0.7 mg/l, a change Durham implemented immediately upon approval. Public health experts continue to support fluoride addition as an important safeguard for dental health.

1. Where does City of Durham water come from?
   City of Durham supplies surface water to Durham, North Carolina.
2. Does City of Durham test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, City of Durham 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 City of Durham?
   Call 919-560-1200 or visit 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, Durham, NC 27701, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does City of Durham 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 City of Durham 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.