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State Regulators Bring Violations Against Cities After Chemical Releases

Two major releases of 1,4 dioxane were recently discovered in the Cape Fear River Basin, which includes the Haw River (pictured), and traced back to industrial companies upstream in Greensboro and Reidsville. KERI BROWN/WFDD

State environmental regulators are bringing violation notices against the cities of Greensboro and Reidsville. This comes after water discharges were recently found containing high levels of a likely human carcinogen.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality says the action stems from a violation of water quality standards and conditions of wastewater permits the cities hold with the state.

In Reidsville, the discharge of 1,4 dioxane was linked to two companies, DyStar and Unifi, and in Greensboro, to Shamrock Environmental Corporation.

When asked why the state issued violations to the cities rather than the companies where the pollutant originated, Sharon Martin with NC DEQ says it's the municipalities' job to manage these issues.

“Our permits are with those pre-treatment programs. So it's the responsibility of the cities and the permit holders, as the permit holders, to investigate and deal with their industrial dischargers,” Martin says.

An official with Greensboro Water Resources recently told WFDD there's confusion about state and federal guidelines and knowing which chemicals pose the greatest threat.

The city was not ready to comment but says it is in the process of reviewing the violations.

The North Carolina DEQ says it has initiated weekly testing at Greensboro and Reidsville's wastewater treatment plants and "will continue as long as necessary." 

Bethany joined the staff of WFDD in the fall of 2012. She received her B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Wake Forest University and focused on Anglo-Irish writing. Between undergraduate studies and graduate school, Bethany served as the intern to Talk of the Nation at NPR in D.C., participating in live NPR Election Night Coverage, Presidential debate broadcasts, regular Talk of the Nation shows, and helping to plan the inaugural broadcast of ‘Talk of the World.' She enjoys engaging with her interests in books, politics, and art in the interdisciplinary world of public radio. Before becoming Assistant News Director, Bethany was a reporter and Associate Producer for WFDD's Triad Arts and Triad Arts Weekend. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Bethany enjoys calling the Piedmont home.

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