South Granville Water and Sewer Authority

The primary water source for Butner residents is the R.D. Holt Reservoir located southwest of Butner along Old Oxford Highway 75. This impressive 2-billion-gallon surface reservoir spans approximately 374 acres within the Upper Neuse Water Basin. The reservoir benefits from its surrounding heavily forested watershed (75%), which naturally helps minimize external contamination.

R.D. Holt Reservoir offers excellent limited recreation opportunities like fishing and boating (no swimming or water-skiing permitted) while providing over 13 million gallons daily for treatment. This makes it an invaluable resource for SGWASA and the community it serves.

Water Treatment Process:

The SGWASA Water Plant processes raw water from R.D. Holt Reservoir through a comprehensive five-step treatment protocol capable of handling up to 3.5 million gallons daily:

• Coagulation: Special chemicals bind to sediments like silt and sand
• Flocculation: Particles cluster together forming larger, heavier formations
• Sedimentation: These clusters settle to the bottom of large basins for removal
• Filtration: Water passes through filters after initial chlorine disinfection
• Final Disinfection: Chloramines are added to ensure safe drinking water reaches customers

This multi-barrier approach ensures consistent water quality that meets or exceeds all regulatory standards.

Why is my water discolored and is it safe to drink?

Discoloration typically occurs when water flows at high velocities through mains, disturbing iron and manganese sediment. Common causes include water main breaks, firefighting activities, or high system demand. These particles are primarily iron and manganese oxides and pose no health risks. To resolve:

• Run all faucets simultaneously for several minutes
• If discoloration persists, wait several hours for sediment to settle
• For stained white laundry, try an "Iron Out" product from hardware stores

What causes red stains in showers and toilets?

These pink stains are actually biofilm from airborne bacteria that thrive in warm, moist environments, particularly during summer or in warm climates. Regular cleaning and keeping areas dry are the most effective controls.

Why does my water appear cloudy or bubbly?

Several factors can cause this appearance:

1. Distribution system issues: Water main repairs or pressure drops allow air to enter pipes. Rapid refilling can trap air bubbles.
2. Pressure changes: Water under 40 psi pressure absorbs approximately four times more air than at normal atmospheric pressure. When pressure drops (as in a glass), these bubbles are released.
3. Temperature changes: Cold water holds more dissolved oxygen (14.6 mg/L at 30°F vs 8.14 mg/L at 80°F). As cold water warms, excess air releases as tiny bubbles.
4. Overheated water systems: Particularly in homes with older manual heaters or malfunctioning thermostats set above 140°F.

These conditions are most noticeable during winter months when water naturally contains more dissolved air and in the first water drawn after overnight system inactivity.