The North Carolina Division of Water Resources has recognized 63 water treatment plants for exceeding federal and state drinking water standards in 2024. The Public Water Supply Section presented these facilities with the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) Award, which aims to improve the performance of surface water treatment plants across the state.
Twenty of these facilities received the “Gold Star” honor, reserved for systems that have earned the AWOP Award for at least ten consecutive years. These include plants operated by Broad River Water Authority, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Cary/Apex, City of Eden, City of Lincolnton, City of Mount Airy, City of Newton, City of Raleigh, Greenville Utilities Commission, Harnett County, Johnston County (West), Kerr Lake Regional Water System, Maggie Valley Sanitary District, Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority, Towns of Boone and Madison, Town of Weaverville-Ivy River Water Treatment Plant, and Town of Wilkesboro.
According to the division’s announcement: “Awards are given each year to water systems that demonstrate outstanding turbidity removal, a key test of drinking water quality. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by individual particles that can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Microbes are microscopic particles that occur naturally but can include harmful bacteria and viruses.”
All public drinking water systems in North Carolina must comply with strict state and federal standards. However, these award-winning plants achieved even higher performance goals than required. In 2024 alone, more than 2.8 million residents were served by these facilities.
The full list of recognized plants includes those serving large cities such as Charlotte and Raleigh as well as smaller communities like Blowing Rock and Spruce Pine.
