Town of Cary
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Enjoy this overview diagram of our water system or go on a virtual tour to learn more!
Supply
Water from our source, B. Everett Jordan Reservoir (Jordan Lake), is treated at our Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility. Treatment capacity increased to 56 million gallons per day with an expansion that was completed in 2018. The plant has been in compliance with regulatory standards since opening in 1993 and is located six miles from Jordan Lake, which is part of the Cape Fear River basin.
Treatment Process
The Cary/Apex Water Treatment Plant uses a relatively new process with special concrete treatment basins called Super-Pulsator Flocculator Clarifiers for removing particles from the water. Each Super-Pulsator Clarifier can treat up to 8 million gallons of water a day. These devices save money because they require less space than conventional sedimentation basins.
The basins use a vacuum chamber for pulsing action as water flows upward, becoming clearer as larger particles settle. Pulsing prevents particles from settling completely, and over time these particles form a blanket that helps filter water as it flows upward through the basins. The plant also has 16 multi-media filters that remove finer particles. Ozone is used to disinfect, remove organics, and control taste and odor. Ammonia and chlorine are added for final disinfection except each March when ammonia is suspended.
Fluoride is added as the federally recommended level of 0.7 parts per million.
Water Quality Testing and Reports
Annually, the Town takes tens of thousands of water samples from all parts of the water distribution system and tests these to ensure drinking water meets or surpasses all state and federal regulatory standards. Results of our testing, along with additional water quality information, can be found in the Town’s Current Year Drinking Water Quality Report provided for water customers annually as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The report summarizes test results, health effects information and other important information about Town water programs.
For more information and an archive of past Annual Drinking Water Quality Reports, visit Water Quality and Testing.
In addition, water customers may view the Water Quality Testing Summary, a comprehensive laboratory report containing test results for all parameters for finished water from the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility and distribution system.
While customers may periodically receive solicitations offering various services related to their water quality like private testing, Cary is not affiliated with these companies or their offerings. Cary utility customers should weigh the merits of the program, but are under no obligation or requirement to participate.
Recognition
The Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility joins a small and distinguished group of water treatment facilities recognized with the President’s Award for Water Treatment from The Partnership for Safe Water. The facility has participated in the program since 1995 and has received the Directors Award annually since 2003. The President’s Award has requirements that are substantially more stringent than the Directors Award.
Resources
The Partnership for Safe Water
American Water Works Association
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Ground and Drinking Water