Press Releases

Public still urged to avoid widespread algal blooms in Albemarle Sound area

Public urged to avoid algal blooms in Albemarle Sound area

State officials with the N.C. Division of Water Resources are urging the public to avoid contact with green or blue water in the Albemarle Sound and adjoining waterbodies due to an algal bloom that has lingered in the area since May 14, 2019.

Moderate drought returns to southeastern North Carolina, dry conditions expand west

Drought has returned to North Carolina for the first time in more than a year.

Lower Neuse River seeing distressed fish

State officials are investigating a fish kill in the lower portion of the Neuse River near Havelock in the areas of Flanners Beach and Carolina Pines. 

North Carolina Honors 57 Drinking Water Treatment Plants

The N.C. Division of Water Resources has honored 57 water treatment plants for surpassing federal and state drinking water standards in 2018. 

State takes action to manage emerging compounds in wastewater

State environmental officials are requiring towns with pretreatment programs in the Cape Fear River Basin to monitor for a set of emerging compounds starting this summer.

State to release sterile grass carp for hydrilla control in Harris Lake

The Department of Environmental Quality, in cooperation with the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Duke Energy, will be stocking 2,500 sterile grass carp at Harris Lake to control hydrilla, a particularly aggressive aquatic plant. 

CORRECTION: State to hold public hearing on six draft wastewater permit renewals

The N.C. Division of Water Resources will host a public hearing to gather comments on six draft wastewater discharge permit renewals for mines in Avery and Mitchell counties.

State to hold public hearing on six draft wastewater permit renewals

The N.C. Division of Water Resources will host a public hearing to gather comments on six draft wastewater discharge permit renewals for mines in Avery and Mitchell counties.

DEQ Issues General Permits for Swine, Cattle and Wet Poultry

The N.C . Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today issued three general permits for animal operations: the Swine General Permit, the Cattle General Permit, and the Wet Poultry General Permit. The revisions to the previous permits are increasingly protective of the environment and public health. The 2019 permit also includes measures to promote technology, efficiency and transparency in record keeping and reporting.