Town of Tarboro

Tarboro's primary municipal water source is the Tar River watershed, situated within the Tar-Pamlico River basin. The Tar River originates as an underground aquifer that surfaces in Person County as a swift-flowing stream, then transitions to a slower Coastal Plain waterway after crossing the fall line at Rocky Mount.

The Tar River flows through portions of sixteen counties before reaching Washington, where it becomes the Pamlico River and eventually forms the Pamlico Sound. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducts Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) evaluations of all water sources throughout the state.

These assessments determine each water source's vulnerability to Potential Contaminant Sources (PCSs), with results categorized as High, Moderate, or Low susceptibility. The complete SWAP Assessment report for Tarboro is available at www.ncwater.org/pws/swap. Please note that SWAP reports are periodically updated by the Public Water Supply Section.

If you cannot access the report online, you may request a printed copy by writing to: Source Water Assessment Program - Report Request, 1634 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1634, or by emailing swap@ncdenr.gov. Include your system name, number, email, mailing address, and phone number. For questions about the SWAP report, contact the Source Water Assessment staff at 919-707-9098.

Q. How does Longview treat Sewer/Wastewater?

A. Our facility operates as a Conventional Activated Sludge/Trickling Filter Plant. The system features large circular tanks filled with 3-5 inch rocks. The Trickling Filter sprays wastewater over these rocks, which develop a biological film called zoogleal mass. This ecosystem of microscopic organisms purifies the wastewater naturally as they consume organic matter and release CO2. The purification happens within this biological layer on the rocks. Rocks exposed to sunlight develop green algae growth, sometimes appearing almost black during summer months with 16-17 hours of sunlight. The original light red granite rocks appear nearly white when dry.

Q. Can I collect sludge to use as fertilizer in my garden?

A. No, this isn't permitted. The treatment plant produces Class B sludge that isn't approved for residential garden use, and private gardens aren't authorized disposal sites. After processing, our sludge is used for beneficial land application on hay meadows as a soil conditioner.

Q. How many operational lift stations does the City of Longview maintain?

A. The City of Longview operates 22 lift stations throughout the municipality.

Q. What happens to water after treatment?

A. After complete processing, the treated effluent flows into Jackson's Cove, then into Grace Creek. From there, it continues into the Sabine River and ultimately reaches Toledo Bend Reservoir.

Q. How many staff members operate the treatment plant?

A. Our facility employs nine operators, six maintenance mechanics, one system technician, one lab technician, one environmental technician, water quality inspectors, a plant manager, maintenance manager, pretreatment inspector, and an administrative assistant. Every staff member involved in treatment must be certified by the state of Texas. Regulations require a "B" certified person on duty at all times—the second highest certification level in wastewater management.

Q. What's the value of the wastewater treatment facilities?

A. The plant and pump stations represent the most valuable assets owned by the City of Longview, with an estimated value of approximately $63 million (calculated at roughly $3 per gallon of treatment capacity). The facility has been developed over approximately 65 years at its current location.

Q. How many laboratory tests are conducted annually?

A. Approximately 37,700 tests are performed each year.

Q. How extensive is the sewer system?

A. If connected end-to-end, Longview's sewer lines would stretch from Shreveport, Louisiana, to El Paso, Texas—a distance exceeding 800 miles.

Q. What volume of water does the facility process daily?

A. With an average person using about 100 gallons daily and approximately 100,000 residents, the facility processes about 10 million gallons per day from residential use. Industrial and other connections contribute an additional 3 million gallons. The plant typically treats 12-13 million gallons daily, with maximum capacity of 21 million gallons per day and surge capacity up to 60 million gallons for brief periods.

Q. Do roadside storm drains connect to the treatment plant?

A. No, these are stormwater drains that flow directly to local creeks and streams without treatment. Only materials entering sanitary sewer lines reach the treatment plant. Interestingly, objects flushed or washed down household drains eventually reach the facility unless they become lodged in pipes. Common items include IDs, dentures, children's toys, jewelry, money, tools, and mobile phones. The plant's automatic screening processes separate larger objects and grit to protect equipment.