News Flash

For more than twenty years, drinking water in Forsyth County has met or surpassed all water quality standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency. That excellent record continues today with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities 2020 Water Quality Report recently published and available online at cityofws.org/waterquality2020 and cityofws.org/wqr2020espanol.

The annual report details test results of water drawn from the Yadkin River and Salem Lake and then treated at the Neilson, Thomas and Swann water treatment plants in Forsyth County. This report is required by the EPA and enforced by the Division of Water Resources at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.  

Bill Brewer, the water treatment superintendent for WSFC Utilities, says the department’s water treatment professionals have been essential workers throughout the pandemic and are dedicated to non-stop delivery of safe water to area homes and businesses.

“Our facilities are staffed 24/7 by state-certified operators who continuously monitor every step of our production process and run more than 850 water quality tests per day,” Brewer said. “You simply can’t beat the quality and value of water delivered right to your tap.” 

Tables in the report indicate allowed and ideal levels for regulated and unregulated substances that may be found in water, as well as the average and range of levels detected within the water supply at testing points. Some substances are natural and harmless, while others may present a hazard to human health. 

The report also lists physical and mineral characteristics of the water delivered by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities, source water information and additional material required or recommended by the EPA. This year’s printed report has been expanded with a service area map, historic information and a variety of photos to enhance outreach and education efforts.

To view current and past reports, visit cityofws.org/utilities and click on the Water Quality button. You can use the “Select Language” tool at the bottom right of every City of Winston-Salem webpage to translate information. Printed reports in English are available in the lobby of Stuart Municipal Building, 100 E. First Street, at select library branches and by calling City Link 311 or 336-727-8000.