Press Releases

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources continues to monitor a fish kill in the Neuse River, located in an area that includes New Bern near Union Point and Bridgeton, downstream to Riverdale. Fish kills are common and can occur in the summertime, particularly under the conditions present this summer. Although there has been no indication of a chemical or toxin component in conjunction with the fish kill, residents should always avoid water where a fish kill is present.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit NC0026123 to the City of Asheboro, located in Randolph County.

El Departamento de Calidad Ambiental de Carolina del Norte (DEQ, por sus siglas en ingles) tendrá múltiples audiencias públicas y un período de comentarios de 90 días sobre seis proyectos de permisos generales de Operaciones de Alimentación Animal. Estos permisos generales son para las instalaciones elegibles de ganado porcino, vacuno y aves de corral sin descarga con sistemas de gestión de residuos líquidos y operaciones de alimentación animal con sistemas de digestores agrícolas. Los comentarios públicos recibidos en los eventos y hasta el 3 de noviembre de 2023 se tendrán en cuenta en el desarrollo de los permisos generales que entrarán en vigor en otoño de 2024.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold multiple public hearings and a 90-day comment period on six draft Animal Feeding Operations general permits. These general permits are for eligible non-discharge swine, cattle and poultry facilities with liquid waste management systems and animal feeding operations with farm digester systems. Public input received at the events and through Nov. 3, 2023, will be considered in the development of the general permits, which will become effective in Fall 2024.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources (DWR) advises the public to avoid contact with green or blue water in the Chowan River due to an algal bloom that has lingered in the area since July 12, 2023.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has completed its Department-wide email address change. Now, all DEQ email addresses will use the @deq.nc.gov domain.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit #NC0090000 to Colonial Pipeline Company (Colonial Pipeline) for remediation of a major petroleum spill near Huntersville, Mecklenburg County.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources is investigating a discharge event related to foam substance reported in Lincoln and Gaston County waterways on June 6-7. The source of the discharge has been identified by DWR as untreated animal waste from Gar-Mac Dairy of Crouse in Lincoln County (AWC550002) as the result of a broken hydrant in their irrigation system.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will receive public comment through June 5 as part of the renewal process for six Animal Feeding Operations General Permits. 

Consistent and heavy April rainfall has resulted in a clear drought map for North Carolina on the U.S. Drought Monitor as reported through the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC). Since May 4, 2023, all of North Carolina’s 100 counties were determined to be free from drought or abnormally dry conditions.