Residents of Greensboro have been expressing their concerns about discolored water and possible pollution for a while now, and city officials are taking action, starting with a major water treatment plan.
Greensboro, like many cities across North Carolina, is grappling with the presence of PFAS—persistent synthetic chemicals linked to serious health risks such as cancer and liver damage. In response, the city has approved a $2.7 million upgrade to the Mitchell Water Treatment Plant, aiming to reduce PFAS levels and restore trust in its water supply.
This local effort is part of a broader movement among municipalities to improve water safety and transparency, ultimately affecting thousands of households.
Public frustration over PFAS contamination has led to protests across North Carolina. In April 2025, residents in Fayetteville rallied outside the Public Works Commission, demanding stricter regulations and accountability from polluters. While Greensboro hasn’t seen major protests, rising concerns have fueled higher attendance at community meetings, where residents are pushing for stronger action on water quality.
For years, residents in Greensboro have reported cloudy, discolored tap water—raising alarm not just about the appearance, but about what contaminants might be present. The concern intensified after PFAS—also called “forever chemicals”—were detected in the city’s drinking water.
PFAS are man-made substances used in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam. Because they don’t break down easily in nature or the human body, they accumulate over time and are associated with cancer, thyroid issues, and weakened immunity.
To address this, Greensboro approved a $2.7 million contract in early 2024 to install a granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration system at the Mitchell Water Treatment Plant. The system is designed to significantly reduce PFAS levels before the water reaches residents’ homes.
An estimated 2.5 million people in North Carolina are exposed to PFAS, according to the Environmental Working Group. The Piedmont Triad, which includes Greensboro, is one of the most impacted regions. There are many people to protect against these pollutants.
The GAC filtration system uses beds of activated carbon—highly porous material made from coal, wood, or coconut shells—that act like a sponge, trapping PFAS and other organic contaminants as water passes through. The carbon has a large surface area and can bind with various chemicals, making it one of the most effective technologies for removing PFAS from drinking water.
Once the water flows through these carbon beds, most PFAS compounds are captured and prevented from entering the distribution system. The used carbon is eventually replaced or regenerated once it becomes saturated. This method has been proven effective in other cities, including Pittsboro, where PFAS levels dropped by over 90% following GAC installation.
Borchers said Greensboro’s system is modeled on Pittsboro’s design, and engineers are confident they will see similarly significant results once the upgrade is completed.
Still, at North Carolina A&T State University, students say they’ve dealt with the effects of hard and possibly contaminated water for years. Some report developing persistent acne and skin irritation after using tap water to shower or wash their face. Others have resorted to buying bottled water or using filtration pitchers just to feel safe drinking it.
Environmental experts say the city’s efforts are important, but not enough. “Filtration is the last line of defense,” said Dr. Anita Williams, an environmental health professor at UNC Greensboro. “The real solution starts upstream—stopping pollution at the source.”
While PFAS filtration is reactive, Greensboro is also taking proactive steps. The city has launched online water quality updates, added more monitoring points in its water system, and created a public reporting tool for water issues.
These actions are seen as a model for other municipalities tackling PFAS. Still, experts stress that broader state and federal regulation is necessary to prevent future contamination.“We didn’t get here overnight,” Borchers said. “But we’re committed to getting out of it—together with the community.”
Alyssia Zepeda is a senior journalism and media production student from Chicago, Il.